March 14, 2016 - Imagine waking up one morning and finding blue and gold pitchforks on your front lawn. It could happen!
During the month of April, friends and supporters of the Merced College Blue Devil football team will be visiting local neighborhoods in an effort to raise money through a unique challenge called “Blue Devil Blitz.”
In an effort to raise funds to support their team, volunteers will place blue and gold pitchforks on lawns of potential donors with a “You Have Been Blitzed” packet of instructions on how to get them removed.
“The idea is to have someone who has already donated through the Blitz to choose someone they think would also like to support Blue Devil football,” said event spokesperson Lee Anne Hobbs. “Then we’ll place the pitchforks on that person’s yard and challenge them to also make a donation.”
The campaign hopes to raise $10,000 by the start of the 2016 season, most of which is anticipated to come through the month of April.
The idea for the short fundraising campaign was hatched between Hobbs her brother Steve Hobbs, who is the principal of Buhach Colony High School and a Blue Devil alumnus. The inspiration, however, comes from their father the late Bob Hobbs, a longtime Merced College coach and counselor.
“We literally grew up in that stadium. Being a part of the Blue Devil football family in the 80’s made a great impact on both of us.” Lee Anne Hobbs said. “This fundraising effort is a first step in what we hope will bring the community back to the stadium. It is also a way for us to honor our dad, who loved the sport and Merced College. It is a little full-circle too, as dad recruited Bob Casey to play football here and now he is the head coach. He would be proud of how Casey is rebuilding the program.”
“As a player, the one thing that always stood out to me about Merced College football was the amount of community that was part of the experience,” said Coach Bob Casey. “It’s exciting to see that coming back to Blue Devil Football and Merced College. We have two extended travel weekends this season in our schedule and, of course, equipment standards to maintain. The financial support is greatly appreciated.”
Those who are “blitzed” will be encouraged to make a suggested donation to the football program. The pitchforks will be removed and rotate to other front yards around the community. All donations will be received by the Merced College Foundation and all donations are tax deductible.
Donors will also have the option of making their contributions with their credit card by going to the Foundation’s website at www.mercedcollegefoundation.org and using the Foundation’s secure PayPal account.
“This should be a fun challenge. You don’t even have to be ‘blitzed’ to donate nor do you have to live in Merced. You can donate directly to the program,” Hobbs said, “All of the money we raise will be used to support our team this year, and it’s going to be a great season.”
To participate in the Blue Devil Blitz, contact Lee Anne Hobbs at 209.384.6255 or the Merced College Foundation at 209.381.6470.
Source: Merced College
