Summer Fundraisers Successful for Ferndale Football Boosters

No one was preparing more for the upcoming Ferndale High School football season to start the summer than the Eagles’ Nest.

The nonprofit booster club for the Ferndale football program held its two big annual fundraisers recently, Moo Poo and the 6th Annual Eagles’ Nest Golf Outing, raising nearly $20,000 for the program.

Eagles’ Nest President, and Ferndale’s Police Chief, Timothy Collins said the money donated from Ferndale residents and area businesses will help the Eagles in a variety of ways this season and beyond.

Money donated from Moo Poo will pay for around 35 students to go to football camp and also toward students’ equipment purchases. The golf outing will pay for two $1,000 scholarships and a big-ticket item the entire team can use.

“Every year we try to buy something that’s incredibly cool,” Collins said. “Two years ago we bought an end zone camera system. Thirty-foot high boom camera, with high def, it’s very cool. Last year, we bought a new tackling sled.”

Players contribute to Moo Poo’s success

Moo Poo isn’t just an average fundraising event.

“We divide the practice football field into 2-yard by 2-yard plots,” Collins said. “You buy a deed for each one of those plots. And then on the day of the event we bring a cow out to the field and if the cow poops in your spot you win.”

There are a total of three prizes awarded. The first poo is worth $1,000, the second is worth $500 and the third $250. 

This year the event took place June 11 and generated $9,000-$10,000 profit. 

“It’s a very cheap event and lots of fun,” Collins said. “The important part is that the kids are responsible for the sales. The more that they sell, the more they earn.”

Players on the varsity team sold deeds for $10 apiece to pay for their trip to Otisville for football camp. Coach Ryan Dunlap made the first week of practice, typically known as “Hell Week” for its grueling two-a-day sessions, an away camp when he took over the team six years ago.

“It’s not only a great practice opportunity for them, it’s a great team-building environment,” Collins said.

Players that sold enough plots covered their camp fees completely. Enterprising players that went above and beyond, earned money toward equipment. Junior varsity and freshman players can sell Moo Poo plots, but they only earn money toward equipment.  

Golf outing a hole in one for Eagles’ Nest

The 6th Annual Eagles’ Nest Golf Outing was at the end of May and it, too, was a major success.

More than 150 golfers competed at the Greystone Golf Course in Romeo in a four-person scramble. Admission to the outing was $125 per person. Boosters also sold hole-sponsorships, held a silent auction, had a 50/50 raffle and held a dinner to help raise nearly $10,000 for the Eagles.

“That’s our major fundraiser,” Collins said.

Some of the money is used toward the John Bassier Scholarships, two $1,000 scholarships. The Eagles’ Nest has awarded 10 of the scholarships since 2008.  The rest of the money goes toward football equipment that the district typically can’t afford.

All money raised from both fundraisers goes back into the team no matter what the Eagles’ Nest purchases.

“Our goal is to always spend our money down to zero every year,” Collins said. 

The boosters will get back to work when the season starts. They run all the concessions at all the home football games to help pay for the football banquet.