THE RETURN TO EXCELLENCE - YOUR PART

The above picture was taken at a football practice on May 6, 2009.

Some kids have socks. Some kids do not. Some kids have cleats. Some kids do not.

Just 20 years ago, this was a championship team. The stands were filled for every game. People talked about the great clashes with other schools' teams in the hallways and were gearing up for the next game. The other programs at the school pushed hard to be as good or better.

Over the past several years, the program has fallen so far that it has been referred to as one of the biggest "riches to rags" stories ever by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Support for the program has gone down so far that some parents of kids who attended a strong Avondale Middle School have even worked around the system and sent their kids to other high schools to play.

The kids are doing their part.

The kids adapt to the situation. They improvise to create solutions to overcome the challenges. They face it and work through it because they have a dream of playing football... it gives them a sense of pride and for several, it forces them to be better students and to study harder.

"Helping these kids is a lot more than giving them a game to play. It tells them that you believe in them and want them to succeed, both on the field and in the classroom... and ultimately in the big game of life." -- Coach Carson

A school's football team has a great influence on the rest of the student body. When they compete well, win or lose, the school generates a positive energy. The students get something to believe in. They belong to something greater than themselves. They have pride... both in their school and in themselves... in their own performance.

Here's your part... these kids need you and your help.

First and foremost, support the team from a community standpoint. Go to the games. Cheer the team on! Give these kids as much love and support as you can. Display Avondale banners and gear in the community. Give these kids a real home field advantage and a sense of pride. Let them know that you are behind them.

Second, the program needs money to be able to compete.

The county only provides a set number of helmets and a set amount of equipment. If there aren't enough helmets, kids have to share, or kids don't play. If there aren't enough cleats, kids can't compete. If the training equipment doesn't work, the kids don't develop.

Supporting the kids can be as easy as taking your business to companies that sponsor the team. These businesses are helping the kids and we can thank them by bringing our business to them.

Support can also be by directly donating to the team, buying from the kids when they have fundraisers to buying equipment for them or it can be as simple as going to Sam's club and getting a case of socks for the team.

It really is that simple, and every bit helps.

The kids are doing their part...

The Avondale High School touchdown Club is a registered 501(c)(3) Private Foundation and all donations, gifts or other contributions are tax deductible.