Refugio, Texas: Youth Football

My name is Lee ann and I am from Orange County, California. It is a long way from Texas. But, in South County - where I live - likeTexas, football is everything. In Refugio, roughly 3% of the population plays youth football. To quote Megan Garza, the Refugio Youth Football League President, "to put on a black and orange jersey and play football, even at age 5, means so much to the kids as well as the parents and the community."

The season was ready to go, the snack bar stocked, the fees paid and then devastation by the name of Hurricane Harvey hit. When I witnessed the devastation in the news I contacted the youth football league to find out who the president was and how to contact her. That is how I came into contact with Megan. She reiterated to me that what little the small town had was severely damaged. Children have been forced to leave their homes, attend new schools, live out of hotels. The parents feel immense financial pressure as they wait for some relief from FEMA. 

So, what does football have to do with any of this? Well, football led us to this little town in Texas. Because of my son's love of playing the game, I researched and reached out to see if there was a way to help children affected by the hurricane get back to some version of normalcy in their day to day lives. Inevitably, I came into contact with Megan. 

In a town of roughly 2800 where football unites the community, as the football league president, it's easy to feel responsible for your football family. As Megan states, "as the president of the league for the past 3 years, I know every child and family personally, and love all the kids as my own, so it’s heart breaking when I can’t help them all out and take them all in."

In a community where the game is king, residents look to the league for help. So, we are going to help Megan do just that. 

Any amount that you can spare to help these families would be appreciated. No amount is too small. If you can't donate, no problem - perhaps you can help by forwarding this to someone who can.

Now, to the important question - what will the money be used for? Anything donated will be withdrawn in my name and then I will personally send the check directly to the league president, Megan. From there, she will use the funds to help replenish items the league lost (snack bar, etc) and, more importantly, help the families of the 78 children who play football and the 28 cheerleaders who cheer. It might go to the purchasing of cleaning supplies to get people back into their homes or food supplies to replenish spoiled perishable items or gas money to get children to school. 

This is an opportunity to directly change the lives of 106 families affected by Hurricane Harvey that were already struggling prior to the storm. When you donate, they get the help they desperately need. Today, now. 

Thank you in advance for anything you are able to do!

* Your donations are tax deductible. You must inquire with us so we can send you a tax deductible receipt from the league.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information.