Seven varsity football players will be participating in this year’s CHaD All-Star football game on June 29. Being one of those seven, I write this to explain the real meaning behind this game.
While we all look forward to playing one last football game together, the cause for this game is much larger than that. The game is called the CHaD game due to the fact that it’s played for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.
From now until June, the players participating in the All-Star game have been asked to raise money for the hospital. Typically the fundraising is accomplished through the players sending out emails to family and friends.
This year, Londonderry’s head coach, Jimmy Lauzon is also the head coach of the CHaD game. What this means for us as players is that we have a bigger responsibility in the fundraising race, as there is an even larger spotlight on our school.
With that being said, we as the Londonderry representatives would like to take initiative within this fundraising race. We plan on working with administration to organize events that will help raise money.
I write this, not to beg for money, but to ask you to think.
Many people, myself included, have been blessed with good health for the majority of our lives. Many kids at CHaD spend many months of their young lives in the hospital. At typical hospitals, these children will lose their ability to have a normal childhood that one would experience outside of the hospital.
CHaD, however, is different from your typical hospital. Some of you may know a CHaD kid, some of you may even be one. For those of you who know of the hospital, the facilities, and the programs that they provide for the children, you know the lengths they will go for you to keep you healthy. They show they care for, and you know how incredible that is.
This hospital brings in children in the worst of situations, and does everything within their power to mirror their hospital life to regular life. They provide housing for families (who may need to travel otherwise), they provide play areas for the children, and of course, they provide treatment.
Some patients may need to call this hospital their home for months on end, so to be able to make it feel like home, is a great weight lifted off both the children and families shoulders.
By providing programs that allow the kids to play, sleep, get treatment, and to simply live comfortably, CHaD creates an environment that anyone would like to be a part of.
So, if you see one of us players fundraising, just remember: It’s not for our benefit at all. We aren’t required to fundraise. We are doing this because we know what CHaD is all about and we want to make a difference for the children involved with it.
If you too would like to make a difference in these children and their families’ lives, links will be included below to Londonderry’s player donation pages.
How long have you been playing football? “I’ve been playing since first grade, so in total I have played for around 11 years.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the CHaD game? “Making the CHaD game means a lot to me, it’s a great opportunity to fundraise for a great cause, and it’s an honor to be selected with some of New Hampshire’s best football players. The hard work definitely show for itself.”
How long have you been playing football? “I have played football for 8 years. I started playing in 5th grade.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the ChaD game? “Being selected for the CHaD game is an honor and I am very excited to represent Londonderry. I’m very excited to compete with the best players in the state, but I am even more excited to make a difference in the lives of the ChaD children.”
How long have you been playing football? “I have been playing since first grade.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the CHaD game? “I’m excited to get to play another game with my brothers. It’s a great cause for my family to be proud of and a great honor to be selected.”
How long have you been playing football? “I’ve played football now for five years.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the CHaD game? “I’m excited to play in the CHaDd game it really brings everything full circle as my sister was a patient at chad when she was diagnosed with diabetes.”
How long have you been playing football? “I’ve played football my whole life, starting with flag, and moving to tackle in first grade.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the CHaD game? “Being selected for the CHaD game is a huge honor for me and I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to play football for such a great organization and to raise money for the kids.”
How long have you been playing football? “I’ve been playing football for seven years.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the CHaD game? “Being selected was pretty cool for me. To get recognition with some of the best talent in the state meant a lot. I’m very excited to help give back to these kids, CHaD is a great organization that more people need to know about.”
How long have you been playing football? “I have been playing football for 7 years now.”
What does it mean to you to be selected to play in the CHaD game? “Getting picked for the All-Star game means everything. I’m excited to make a difference and I am also very excited to play one last game with some of my teammates.”
