HELP SUPPORT THE COUNTRYSIDE JR. COUGARS!
Dear Community Partner,
We are reaching out to you because the Countryside Jr. Cougars need your help!
The Jr. Cougars is a Youth Football and Cheer Organization for children ages 5-14 in the Tampa Bay Area. We have been in existence since 1989. In 2021, we proudly served 272 children. About 85% of our children come from Title I schools, and are on free or reduced lunches. As such, our organization provides scholarships or reduced registration fees to our children that need financial help to be able to afford to participate. We are proud of the fact that we turn no child away for their inability to pay. All of our coaches and Board Members are strictly volunteers, who donate literally thousands of hours of their time each year for the kids.
The Jr. Cougars have celebrated much success over the past year. This Spring, we participated in The Florida Gulf Coast Football and Cheer League. Both our 10u and 8u Teams took the District Championship Titles and have advanced to the playoffs. Our 8u team finished with an undefeated 6-0 record. Last Fall, the Jr. Cougars participated in the TBYFL League. We had 5 teams advance to the playoffs, with our 8u team finishing with a 9 -1 record (their only loss was in a triple overtime game). Further, our 8u team was invited to participate in the Pinnacle National Championship Tournament presented by Prospects by Sports Illustrated. The Jr. Cougars defeated a team from Ohio to advance to the final Championship, where they fought hard and took home the Runner Up trophy. The Jr. Cougars Cheerleaders 12u team took 3rd place in the three competitions the Rockstar Rumble, the Rockstar Royale, and the Sunshine Classic. The 10u team took 1st place in the Sunshine Classic.
This Fall, the Jr. Cougars are excited to be participating in the Florida Elite League. Of course, there are expenses. We need to pay for insurance, referee and medic fees, and purchase uniforms. There are also Tournament fees and Cheer Competition Fees to consider.
However, the most important expense we are facing is the need to replace much of our football equipment. Our shoulder pads are in bad shape, and many of the helmets that we have been reconditioning for years are no longer usable. The safety of our children is paramount, and we desperately want to provide them with safe equipment to use to help prevent injuries. A CDC study published in Sports Health reports youth tackle football athletes ages 6-14 sustained a median of 378 head impacts per athlete in a season. All of our coaches participate in mandatory training in concussion safety and proper tackling form, but training alone cannot keep the kids safe. Quality equipment is necessary as well!
The estimated cost to equip a football team with pads and helmets is $7,650 each for the 6u/8u/10u teams and $10,380 each for 12u/14u teams. Our total fundraising goal this year to cover the cost of the much needed new equipment and our general operating costs is $50,000. The Jr. Cougars would love to have your support. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and your gift is tax deductible. Attached is a list of our current Sponsorship Packages and details on how you can help. We hope you will consider joining the Cougar Family today! Thank you on behalf of our entire Board and all of our Junior Cougars.
Respectfully,
Jess Anderson
CJC President
DONATE HERE:
Sponsorship Levels
GOLD SPONSOR - $5,000
• Game Day Sign Recognition at home field (4x8)* • Name on Donor Board at Concessions
• Plaque recognizing your sponsorship
• Business logo (with a link) on our Website* • Booth or table at ALL home games*
• Announcement of sponsorship at each home game where announcers present
• Recognition on all Cougar Social Media Platforms • Honorary Captain for a home game
• Four admission wristbands to Homecoming Games
GARNET SPONSOR - $2,500
• Game Day Sign Recognition at home field (4x4)* • Name on Donor Board at Concessions
• Plaque recognizing your sponsorship
• Business logo (with a link) on our Website* • Booth or table at THREEhome games*
• Announcement of sponsorship at each home game where announcers present
• Recognition on all Cougar Social Media Platforms • Two admission wristbands to Homecoming Games
BLACK SPONSOR - $1,000
• Name on Donor Board at Concessions
• Business logo (with link) on our Website* • Booth or table at ONE home game*
• Recognition on all Cougar Social Media Platforms • One admission wristband to Homecoming Games
We appreciate donations at any level. If you would like to donate to a specific child or organizational needs, please notate in form.
Thank you for your support,
Jess Anderson, President
George Lupo, Vice President
Lori Mahin, Secretary