Palos Verdes Water Polo Team Raises Funds For Beloved Coach

PALOS VERDES, CA — Palos Verdes Water Polo Club Director Zach Graper hitches rides with parents and other coaches to team practices, matches and events because his car, which has had several issues off and on, recently broke down.

Teammates and colleagues of Graper's said they'd love to pay back his enthusiastic dedication to water polo and young people in the community by helping raise funds for a new, more reliable mode of transportation for the beloved coach. A GoFundMe organized by Adam Brzyski, a colleague of Graper's at the Water Polo Club, kicked off the surprise.

"For everything, he's done for the athletes, parents, and coaches of our community, here is a chance for our little community to do something for him," Brzyski said in the GoFundMe post. "He's changed 100s of lives over the years."

As of Feb. 3, a total of $7,290 has been raised of the $37,500 goal. The money will go toward a new car of Graper's choosing that will have great gas mileage, space for transporting equipment to and from practices and modern safety features.

Graper travels a lot for work, the post said, so a new car would enable him to have one less thing to worry about and, "continue serving the community he's built and been a part of for so many years."

To contribute to the GoFundMe fundraiser, visit the campaign's page here.