With a combined donation of $3,400 from the Escalon Lions Club and the Escalon Kiwanis Club, students at El Portal Middle School have some new athletic equipment to utilize.

The donation from the clubs, $1,700 apiece, were utilized to purchase new soccer nets and goals as well as new volleyball nets.

“It impacts a lot of kids,” El Portal Principal Mark Vos said of the donation. “The kids are playing here every day.”

The nets can be taken down and stored to add to their longevity and the soccer goals were used during the recently completed school season. The funding provided for the purchase of two sets of soccer goals, four total goal boxes with nets, while the two new volleyball nets replace ones that were 14 years old.

“I like having the new goals, it was good for the soccer season,” said eighth grader Jacob Dugo, president of the Associated Student Body at the campus.

Fellow eighth grader and ASB Vice President Soleil Gouzenne was also on hand for the presentation of the checks which financed the athletic equipment purchase, offering thanks to the organizations.

“Glad we can help,” Lions Club representative John Salvin said.

Kiwanis Club Treasurer Laura Weaver was there to present the check from that club, while the Lions Club contingent included Salvin, Bud Andrew and Ralph Lyda.

“We can use these for PE too,” Vos added of the goals and nets, noting that the donation will be well used and is very appreciated by the school.