Glendale Bears keep raising their game
Kids carried soapy sponges Saturday and grinned their way through a car-wash fundraiser for Glendale Bears, which is still struggling for funds after its treasurer stole from the group last year.
After 40 years of serving community youth, the Glendale Bears Youth Football and Cheerleading organization is working from a negative balance trying to overcome last year’s embezzlement of more than $30,000 by Treasurer Louella Ragland.
“We are definitely going to have to have more fundraisers,” said Glendale Bears President Tina Marquez.
By 10 a.m. Saturday at a restaurant in Highland Park, the kids had washed between 20 and 30 cars in an hour.
“There was a lot of word of mouth by our families letting everyone know,” Marquez said.
She expected about 200 kids to help with the fundraiser.
The organization offers a season of football and cheerleading to 6- to 14-year-olds.
“It is really important that we are able to buy equipment and to [refurbish] and replace old safety equipment. Our first priority is keeping our kids safe,” Marquez said.
There are other fees for the use of Glendale High School’s field and entrance fees into the league.
“In the past we were able to give scholarships to students,” said Meri Torres, Glendale Bears vice president.
Those scholarships are now in jeopardy of being limited or cut altogether.
The kids working the car wash Saturday talked about the value the organization.
“I play fullback and linebacker,” said Angelo Osomo, 11. “This will help me for my future. It will help me get into college.”
In the six years he has participated in the program, Angelo said he has learned teamwork and dedication.
“It keeps me going, and it’s a good sport. If it wasn’t for this sport, I would be sitting on the couch all day,” he said.
The organization also teaches kids the importance of having a healthy body and healthy mind.
“Grades are our No. 1 priority,” Marquez said. “There has to be a balance between the sport and [academics].”
The students are asked to maintain a 2.0 grade point average and to aspire to 3.3. If they have the higher GPA for two seasons they are guaranteed a $1,000 scholarship by the San Gabriel Valley Junior All-American Football conference, Marquez said.
The well-balanced program and incentives are reasons so many volunteers help with fundraisers, Marquez said.
Despite the loss and the pressure to raise more funds to keep the program afloat, there is a celebration planned.
“We are planning our biggest home opener to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We are contacting past members of Glendale Bears,” Marquez said.
The event is planned to begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 12 at Hoover High School. For information on the Bears organization, upcoming games and to donate, e-mail mxt6865@lausd.net.