UpTown Eagles Football & Cheer Uniforms for 2021
Donation protected
Covid-19 really threw a wrench in youth sports! Perhaps no community felt the debilitating effects of isolation more than our very own University Area in Tampa. Now, spring 2021, families are finally gathering again in the HOPE field for football and cheerleading! The cheerleaders, who have won trophies in former year competition, are beautiful, graceful, and strong. The football players are skilled and along with their dedicated volunteer coaches and team moms, they have kick started their season.
Unfortunately, this past weekend, when the families gathered to try on old uniforms, every garment was painfully small. We watched as kids ripped pants at the seams, struggling to pull the unyielding fabric over their growing bodies. The cheerleading uniforms restricted the girls, making it impossible to walk, let alone practice a cheer routine. It seemed that a year of adolescent growth spurts had rendered the uniforms far to snug for the kids to re-use.
In former years, this struggling league relied on re-using uniforms to decrease costs and ensure that all kids could play. Perhaps the kids never really noticed, but the truth is that mismatched uniforms, helmets, facemasks, and socks have adorned the Eagles as they faced off against pristinely outfitted rivals over the years. The reality is hard felt by the parents and coaches, who keep their chins up, maintaining dignity in the face of inequality. Their sacrifice is one that many inner city youth sports leagues are faced with but It's time for change, starting here and now. With your help, we can cover the costs for proper fittings and a new set of matching and well-fitted uniforms for each young athlete.
About the community: Perhaps the most amazing thing about this community is how the parents work together and attract families from surrounding neighborhoods. In this community, football is a catalyst for community building and unity. Athletes are joined by elders and smaller children, who gather to watch the kids conditioning in the neighborhood field. The heart of this community surrounds the athletes, cocooned by the beautiful diversity of surrounding neighborhoods.
Despite all the energy that the UpTown Eagles bring to the field, they gather from arguably one of the most struggling demographics in the Tampa Bay Area. Most families can't afford the registration fee that includes uniforms, equipment, transportation and league operating costs. The economic challenge leaves these hard working families and coaches over-tasked with raising funds for the basics, when they should be focusing energy on conditioning for well-earned wins.
These beautiful athletes deserve to enter the field equally matched with rival teams, in spirit, skill AND presentation. They deserve quality uniforms and matching equipment. Please help us raise the $5000 needed to purchase quality uniforms from a local Tampa Bay supplier. The attached invoice reflects the cost of a uniform set for all 130 registered athletes (100 football players and 30 cheerleaders) for the 2021 season. Help us level the playing field the eagles so the athletes and volunteers can focus their energy on conditioning... not on fundraising.
Our end goal for funds is Friday April 2, 2021 with the first game in mid April, that gives ample time for fittings and re-orders. Help them get off to an equal start as they face rival teams on the field. Together we can level the playing field.
Unfortunately, this past weekend, when the families gathered to try on old uniforms, every garment was painfully small. We watched as kids ripped pants at the seams, struggling to pull the unyielding fabric over their growing bodies. The cheerleading uniforms restricted the girls, making it impossible to walk, let alone practice a cheer routine. It seemed that a year of adolescent growth spurts had rendered the uniforms far to snug for the kids to re-use.
In former years, this struggling league relied on re-using uniforms to decrease costs and ensure that all kids could play. Perhaps the kids never really noticed, but the truth is that mismatched uniforms, helmets, facemasks, and socks have adorned the Eagles as they faced off against pristinely outfitted rivals over the years. The reality is hard felt by the parents and coaches, who keep their chins up, maintaining dignity in the face of inequality. Their sacrifice is one that many inner city youth sports leagues are faced with but It's time for change, starting here and now. With your help, we can cover the costs for proper fittings and a new set of matching and well-fitted uniforms for each young athlete.
About the community: Perhaps the most amazing thing about this community is how the parents work together and attract families from surrounding neighborhoods. In this community, football is a catalyst for community building and unity. Athletes are joined by elders and smaller children, who gather to watch the kids conditioning in the neighborhood field. The heart of this community surrounds the athletes, cocooned by the beautiful diversity of surrounding neighborhoods.
Despite all the energy that the UpTown Eagles bring to the field, they gather from arguably one of the most struggling demographics in the Tampa Bay Area. Most families can't afford the registration fee that includes uniforms, equipment, transportation and league operating costs. The economic challenge leaves these hard working families and coaches over-tasked with raising funds for the basics, when they should be focusing energy on conditioning for well-earned wins.
These beautiful athletes deserve to enter the field equally matched with rival teams, in spirit, skill AND presentation. They deserve quality uniforms and matching equipment. Please help us raise the $5000 needed to purchase quality uniforms from a local Tampa Bay supplier. The attached invoice reflects the cost of a uniform set for all 130 registered athletes (100 football players and 30 cheerleaders) for the 2021 season. Help us level the playing field the eagles so the athletes and volunteers can focus their energy on conditioning... not on fundraising.
Our end goal for funds is Friday April 2, 2021 with the first game in mid April, that gives ample time for fittings and re-orders. Help them get off to an equal start as they face rival teams on the field. Together we can level the playing field.
Organizer
Jaime Manfra
Organizer
Tampa, FL