The Seneca Youth Football team needs new helmets.
Currently, the team has been playing with helmets that are eight years old.
“We have undertaken a fundraising campaign,” said president Scott England.
The Seneca Eagles hope to garner $12,000 in total to purchase the new protective helmets.
On Saturday, March 24, “Haircuts for Helmets” was held as a fundraiser for the team at Metamorphasis Family Hair Salon in Shamong.
There was also a bake sale on the premises.
From each haircut, $5 was donated toward getting the new helmets.
The idea to donate from haircuts came from Reenie Vincent, he said.
According to England, about $900 was raised at the fundraiser, which brought the need for funds to $3,000 away from the goal.
“It was a great success,” he said. “We had a good turnout.”
The Seneca Youth Football team caters to more than 100 children from Shamong, Tabernacle, Southampton and Woodland.
“We’re looking to grow,” he added.
England said the hope is to purchase a minimum of 120 helmets in order to have extras, depending on players’ head shapes.
“We’re looking at several different brands,” he said. Three to four manufacturers are being considered.
This year, England said, the team adopted the Seneca High School football helmet logo to look more like the school.
Spring touch football week is currently happening each Monday night at the high school until mid-April to keep kids playing, learning and having fun, said England.
A total of 75 youngsters signed up to participate.
The haircuts event was one in a series of small fundraisers for the Eagles.
A car wash will happen, with the date still to be determined, with a potential flea market next to the washing area.
“We’re just going to keep working” to reach their goal, said England. “It’s going to happen. We’re going to get it.”
To learn more, visit www.senecaeagles.com.
