CHIMACUM — After unsportsmanlike rodents ruined the gear for an intramural football program, the program’s managers are asking the community for help.
Darrin and Leanne Dotson, who run the private Chimacum Youth Football program — which is not affiliated with the Chimacum School District — said they found rodents had gnawed the gear when they got it out of storage Sunday. It had been stored since November.
The equipment, valued between $6,000 and $8,000, included uniforms, helmets, balls, blocking sleds and concession equipment.
The Dotsons are seeking donations to replace the gear.
“We tried to disinfect it at first, but that didn’t work,” Leanne Dotson said.
“There is no way that we would allow any of the kids to use this gear.”
Practice began this week using makeshift equipment. The first league game is Sept. 8.
The program had only enough money to purchase new helmets, Darrin Dotson said.
Helmets, shoulder pads, uniforms and blocking pads will need to be replaced.
Concession supplies are also needed.
Chimacum Youth Football is open to children from 6 to 12 years old, with 55 kids fielding three teams that compete throughout the Olympic Peninsula.
The program is open to both boys and girls, although not many girls choose to participate, Darrin Dotson said.
Donations can be sent directly to Chimacum Youth Football, 81 Olympus Blvd., Port Ludlow, WA 98365, or taken to the Kitsap Bank location in Port Ludlow.
For more information, phone 360-437-0634 or email dotsonlm@yahoo.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@
peninsuladailynews.com.
