Jason Blanke, left, of the Drumheller Football Association, accepts a donation of $2,500 from Dr. Jenny Fuh of Big Country Dental to support the teams’ rebuilding efforts.
Support for Drumheller Community Football continues and was on full display Friday night as the Senior Titans took on Medicine in league play.
Despite the lop-sided loss on the scoreboard, the atmosphere was optimistic as the community came out to support their home team.
“From being a former player and one that went through what some of us call the ‘Dark Ages,’ to now, and how much support the community gives us, it is a good feeling,” said coach Ken Fournier. “Football in this community is very much alive and people value the sport and the opportunities it gives kids to compete.”
All week donations had been rolling into the organization in wake of the vandalism to its locker rooms and offices. That support came to a head with a barbecue, put on by Drum FM, Freson Bros, Double D Catering and A&W. It was announced at the game they raised almost $4,500 at the sale. This was matched by Canalta, making a total donation of $8,732.
“There are not very many places that have this kind of support,” said Fournier. “Medicine Hat was happy to come and see it and be part of it. They were very impressed with the crowd out there. They come from a big city and the crowd rivaled what they get out.”
This was just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the night, as the team played, thousands of dollars more in donations were announced, totaling well over $20,000. The Mail reported earlier this week that the Airdrie Raiders also stepped up to lend the team equipment so the Titans could get back on the field.
“Airdrie brought us helmets, shoulder pads, jerseys and pants, they are great,” said Coach Fournier. ‘The assessment is still going on with a lot of stuff. So far stuff like cleats and helmets will need to be replaced.”
The support continued this week - Big Country Dental in Drumheller pooled their resources and was able to donate $2,500 to the football program. Jenny Fuh has been a football mom for many years, and last year her son Alan graduated from the program and is playing with the Calgary Colts.
“The Titans have been an integral part of Alan’s and Steven’s life. Alan was on the team for the last three years they won provincials, and to see this happening to the Titans, we were just devastated and felt we had to do something to help,” said Fuh.
The support keeps coming in from all over the community. Tim Hortons in Drumheller has been selling special Titans/Terrapin/ cheer donuts and have given the club $1,035. Sunrise auto also chipped in $500 on Monday. Boston Pizza was one of the first out of the gate to support the team, and now has a program where patrons can round up their bill to whatever they feel, and it will be donated in the future to the Titans rebuilding effort.
On Monday, McDonald's Restaurant in Drumheller showed its support by donating $500, and ATB Financial followed suit with a $250 donation.
Dean Zuccatto, President of the Drumheller Community Football Association, said donations keep coming in. Tuesday morning, Drumheller Equipment Sales and Rental donated $1,000, and as well, they didn't charge for the rental of their man-lift for Friday night's Titans game. The usual rental fee is about $250.
At least five other donations were made to the Football Association Tuesday, and they say they may need another day to sort them out and compile a complete list.
Donors to date include: Centre Street Insurance, Century 21 PowerRealty, Chinook Credit Union, Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club, Jim Eskeland Farms, Gage Energy, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Western Chevrolet GMC, Dave Silberstein, Don and Carol Ostergard, Dave Morgan, Linda Samoleski, and The Last Chance Saloon.
