A Christmas tradition started four ago is now spreading in Schuylkill County.
For the past few years, members of the Schuylkill Haven Area football community have teamed up to provide an unforgettable holiday gift and meal to those in need in the community.
And this year, the cheer was spread to the Minersville Area football community.
Over the weekend, nine children among both communities were the recipients of a new bicycle, a Christmas meal, a few other gifts. Players and coaches delivered it all this weekend in both Schuylkill Haven and Minersville.
According to Schuylkill Haven Area’s head coach Mike Farr, the tradition started a couple years ago with the school’s Junior High Head Coach Barron Line. In the past, the bike donation involved just Schuylkill Haven’s coaches.
This year, however, Farr got some of his players involved in the effort. And on Saturday, some members of midget football teams in both communities got a knock on the door from the players they likely want to be in a few years delivering their new bikes for Christmas. In both communities, each team got a firetruck escort en route to their destinations.
After delivering bikes in Schuylkill Haven, the Hurricanes came to Minersville, where they met up with Battlin’ Miners Head Coach Justin Frantz and some of his players to deliver bikes in that community.
The bikes were initially funded by Schuylkill Haven’s coaching staff but this year, Walmart kicked in some grant funding to help grow the effort a bit. a.farr photography also helped by donating four bikes.
“Walmart was a huge supporter this year,” Farr tells The Canary. “I want to continue to help more and more players and families throughout Schuylkill County for years to come.”
“When we were talking and (Coach Farr) mentioned bringing it to Minersville, I was really excited to help out,” Frantz says. “Seeing how excited the kids are to get that bike is what Christmas is all about. The youngg kids look up to these guys and you can just see how much it means to get their gifts from these players.”
In addition to the bikes, recipients each got a football and T-shirts were donated by Titan Threadz. The Schuylkill Haven Football Parents helped provide meals for the receiving families.
Photos submitted by Mike Farr, Joe Kavanaugh
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...