BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
Unity Youth Football, a member of American Youth Football, Incorporated, an NFL partner, will be hosting a raffle to raise funds for new helmets.
The lucky winner will receive a 2012 Chevrolet Cobalt, and Councilman Frank Reddick will select the winning ticket.
Unity Youth Football Conference Executive Director, Orlando Gudes, said they have been mandated to have all of their current helmets replaced before the 2014 season.
“We have always put the safety of our athletes first, and when a new helmet was developed to help prevent concussions, we were told to get them for our players.
“We decided to start now raising the $25,000 we will need to replace the helmets of our four associations. That means close to 500 helmets will be replaced.”
Gudes said the new helmets will be specially fitted for the players on July 27th, and they will have a brain pad and an upper and lower mouthpiece that holds the jaw in place.
The four associations under Unity Youth Football are the Highland Pines Falcons, Riverview Tide, Copeland Saints, and Jackson Heights Vikings.
Tickets for the raffle are $10.00 for one, $15.00 for two, ad $25.00 for three. You can also purchase 12 tickets for $100 to increase your chances of winning the car.
You do not need to be present to win, and please contact Patricia McClendon to purchase tickets at (813) 385-2158.
