Hello, my name is Eric Hussey.

My goal is to raise enough money to help out Center Line Preparatory Academy, a small charter school northwest of Detroit, MI.

They are in the 2nd year of their football program and rely on grants and donations for their needs and after-school activities.

My son’s football team played their football team last Friday night, 9/5/25, and I was volunteering for our team as a sideline marker assistant, stationed on the opponent’s side.

I couldn't help but notice these young, hardworking, and talented boys only had enough helmets for the boys on the field (11 helmets). These helmets were mismatched colors, and some looked a bit worn.

I watched for 2 hours as these boys gave their best on the field, having to hurry and take off their helmets when called out by the coach, then give their helmet to the next boy trying to hurry and run out on the field before a delay of game was called.

I couldn't help but think of how I would feel if these were my sons or if I was one of those kids having to struggle like that. And oddly, I didn’t hear one complain about their dilemma.

I immediately thought to myself, I am going out and buying a helmet to give to this team as soon as possible. The other fellow team parent who had also volunteered for the chain gang markers remarked to me that if I do that, he’d donate too.

I then had a lightbulb moment and reached out to a couple more parents from our team, and they pitched in as well.

This got me thinking, I need to research team equipment suppliers to buy in bulk and possibly get enough for the Bears players to have enough new, safe, color-matching helmets for the 11 players on the field and a few for the boys on the sidelines waiting to go in to play. Although 20 would be needed to outfit the entire team, 14 would suffice.

I found Green Gridiron, which is a good reputable supplier in SC, and after hearing my story, the rep, Grayson, worked on pricing for the most basic helmet from Riddell (Speed Icon - Adult) that was economical and met NOCSAE standards.

The total for 14 helmets, shipping to get here before next week's game, came to a little over $2,400.

Unfortunately, I have only collected $650, which includes my own $250. If I had enough to cover the entire cost, I definitely would. However, and unfortunately, raising 2 boys and with the cost of their own sports and other activities, there’s not too much left over each week. Lol

I realize there are much more important and pressing issues in our world today to help fund, but I know to these boys and their school, this would mean a great deal to them.

If you can afford this, please donate to getting these young athletes enough new helmets to protect them, give them a sense of team pride for the active players, and a few extra for the bench.