YOUTH CHIP XC TEAM SEEKING DONATIONS

The Youth Chip Cross Country Team is seeking any and all donations to aid in their trip to the National Championships In Providence, RI on December 10, 2005. Based on the seasons accomplishments thus far, it looks like the team will once again boast over 40 area youth representing the Buffalo Chips at the Junior Olympic National Championships. The Chips Intermediate Girls (15-16) are three time defending National Champion Team, the Chips Young Women (17-18) are two time defending National Champion Team, and the Midget Boys (11-12) are three time defending Association and Region 14 Champion Team. For the first time in the youth's history we are excited to have a young boys team that will be a top contender for a National Championship. Our top five 12 year old boys had a spread of only 21 seconds while running at a 5:41-5:51 mile pace and sweeping the last PAUSATF XC race of the season 1-2-3-4-5. Our sixth and seventh! runners were only 20 seconds back!! Four times this season the boys have swept XC races 1-5 and twice 1-7. Combined, they have also set 8 new course records this year!

While the team receives approximately $2,000 from the Chips Board each year, and has raised over $1,600 on their own, the money raised only scratches the surface of the total team costs. With travel, hotel and food costs of about $600 per athlete, our cost for the team this year will top out over $24,000. The Chips Youth parents bear the brunt of the costs. However, this year we also found ourselves in need of several new uniforms to replace aging ones, new equipment, and other unexpected costs. We have 4 talented youth that would like to go to the National meet but, their parents lack the financial ability to cover the costs. The youth coaches (2) and assistant coaches (3) combined donated and paid expenses of over $5,000 this year for the team but, we cannot personally afford any additional donations this year.

So, we are desperately seeking donations to help gifted young runners represent the Buffalo Chips this year. All donations are tax deductible and will receive a receipt acknowledging your wonderful donation. Donations can be mailed to BUFFALO CHIPS RUNNING CLUB, YOUTH DONATION, P.O. BOX 19908, SACRAMENTO , CA 95819-0908, or a new on-line donation link has been established at: http://eteamz.active.com/buffalochips/index.cfm?showdonate=1

Any assistance you can provide to this worthy cause will be deeply appreciated.

George H. Paddeck
Youth Coordinator, Head Coach