Oxford Junior Wildcats haven’t officially started their football season but they have already made the biggest play of the season. The boys donated their shoulder pads to the Cobras ? a Detroit youth football team.
The reaction from the boys after donating was excitement and being proud they helped another team.
‘I am just glad to donate our shoulder pads to another team so they can put them to use,? said Anthony D’Alessandro, member of this year’s JV Blue team.
Thomas Wandrie added he was happy to help.
Junior Wildcats president Dan D’Alessandro explained the boys were able to do it with the help of the community.
‘We had fundraisers through local businesses and events during the year,? he said. ‘We were fortunate in Oxford. The community supported us by going to golf outings, bought Little Caesars Pizza and went to Buffalo Wild Wings. In this economy we didn’t expect the outcome we did.?
The program raised $15,000 and it was enough to buy new shoulder pads. But it left the boys with shoulder pads they wouldn’t use for the upcoming season.
‘We had 120-150 shoulder pads still in good shape,? Dan explained.
Since they had received so much from their community, the Wildcats decided they would share with another community.
‘Michigan and the nation are having a hard time,? said Dan. ‘We wanted to find someone local because we knew the economy is tough. Inner city kids don’t have the opportunity to raise money. They can’t go door-to-door.?
Dan called Bill Keenist, an Oxford Community Schools board member and the Detroit Lions senior vice president of communications. Keenist put him in touch with Tim Bendell and the next step was Tim Richey, the director of Program, Player and Coach Development of Detroit PAL, a non-profit organization putting together youth football, basketball, baseball, track, soccer and many other recreational sport leagues around the city of Detroit.
Richey knew just the team.
The Cobras? equipment shed had been broken into and all of their equipment was stolen. They were put in touch with the Wildcats. The pads were delivered a few weeks ago ? just in time for the start of the Cobras? season.
‘It was overwhelming for myself,? said Cobras President Broderick Ruffin. ‘Everyone was very appreciative, especially with today’s economy.?
Dan said he would like to keep in constant communication with the Cobras.
‘They invited us to their first league kick-off,? he said. ‘They were very gracious. It feels really good not only for us, but them. You can’t do that without support of the community.?
The Wildcats are currently practicing with games beginning on Saturday, August 22.
For more information and to see their complete schedule, go to www.ojwfootball.com.