Members of the community age 21 and older are encouraged to attend the third annual Oak Harbor Youth Football auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.
The event, which includes a comedy show and plenty of fun, is a fund-raiser for the seven Oak Harbor Youth Football teams and is an excellent way to show support for these young athletes.
The cost is $25 per person for tickets purchased prior to the event and $35 at the door.
Pre-event tickets my be purchased by calling Gerry Oliver at 672-6847.
The event will include an opening act by an illusionist, followed by a comedian, in addition to the auction.
Oliver, a former player and a coach for seven years in the league, said last year’s auction raised more than $8,000 and he anticipates this year to be even better.
“We use the proceeds to replace and refurbish equipment, particularly helmets and shoulder pads,” he said. “Last year, we were able to purchase 55 new helmets with the money we raised.”
Oliver said about 25 percent of the helmets sent for refurbishing come back bad and require replacement.
“We’re kind of replacing the old with the new,” he said with a smile. “The most important thing is the players’ heads and we don’t want anyone getting injured because of faulty equipment. That would really cause a lot of problems.”
Oak Harbor Youth Football begins practice July 30 and the jamboree is set for Aug. 18.
“We have two pee-wee teams for players ages 5 through 8, two midget teams for players 9 and 10, two junior teams for players 11 and 12 and one senior team for players 13 and 14 who are not playing junior high football,” Oliver said. “We play games in Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, in the Seattle area and also Orcas Island.”
Home games are played on the field at Fort Nugent Park.
In addition, the league is seeking volunteer cheerleaders for the 2007 season.
Anyone interested in coming out to cheer the Oak Harbor teams on to victory this season may obtain a sign-up form from the league’s Web site at eteamz.com/oakharborfootball.
