POTTSTOWN — When the Pottstown Trojans take to the gridiron, they do so with a full stomach, equipment and training not paid for by taxpayers and with the full support of a group of volunteers who in many ways make the entire season possible.

At least that's how Brett Myers sees it.

Now in his fifth year as head coach of Pottstown's varsity football team, Myers said the support of the Touchdown Club is beyond invaluable.

"As I coach, I didn't have to go to them," Myers said recently. "They came to me and said 'what do you need?'"

Myers replied, "We have to improve our weight room."

"They didn't ask why, they put their heads together and started working and next thing I know, we have a refurbished weight room, with new equipment and it was all done with donations and fundraising," Myers said.

They had a little help, said Mary Anne Baker, the current president of the club and the parent of both a former and current member of the team.

Donations of labor from the Vanguard Group and paint, labor and expertise from Reinhart Painting helped out, she said.

So too did a bit of fundraising — about $40,000 worth — which took several years.

One of the most successful methods for raising money in Pottstown, it seems, is getting a cow to do its business on the football field.

Called the "Cow Chip," this contest involves people paying $20 for a guess at where a well-fed cow will finally deposit the remnants of its last meal while wandering the football field.

The winner gets $1,000 and the Touchdown Club keeps the rest. This year's event is coming up on Oct. 7.

"It's really one of our most successful fundraisers," Baker said with a laugh.

Success has built upon success at the Touchdown Club when you use community involvement, volunteerism and good role modeling as your yard sticks.

One reason for that is the steady stream of parents and, in some cases, uncles, aunts and folks whose children are long gone from the gridiron.

Baker's predecessor in the president's chair, Holly Mackewicz, is still involved, even though her son David graduated last year.

"I don't know what we'd do without them," said Baker.

"It's the kids, I can't walk away," said Mackewicz. "We want to be able to help and we've already done it for four years. Besides, we have a handful who don't have kids on the team anymore and even one couple who never did."

One volunteer helps out every Friday in the concession stand because her nephew is on the team.

In addition to upgrading the Trojans weight room, the Touchdown Club has also raised the $10,000 a year that has allowed the team to attend football camp over the summer for the past three years.

"There were a lot of kids who couldn't afford it and with budgets the way they are, we knew we couldn't go to the school board," said Mackewicz.

Other equipment purchased for the district is highlight equipment that allows game films to be edited and copied for sending to colleges.

The club also gives out two scholarships each year to two Trojans who are going on to further their education.

Then there's the food.

Mackewicz is quick to give a shout-out to Little Italy, the Italian restaurant that gives discounts to the club to feed the players.

But a lot of it is also home-cooked food provided not only to the Trojans, but sometimes to the opposition as well, as is the case for an upcoming scrimmage — the first of the season.

Baker said that's because the parents want to encourage good sportsmanship as well as good sports.

Although the community is generous with the fundraising and support, both Baker and Mackewicz said they understand how many people in that community are struggling.

That's what makes the tradition of providing Thanksgiving dinners to needy families — delivered by the players — all the more satisfying, they said.

The team also provides Christmas gifts for two needy families — yes, it's the players who do the shopping.

"We want the kids to understand that being on the football team is not just about the sport, it's about being good role models," said Baker.

And apparently, that goes for more than the players, Baker said.

"What sets our program apart is our coaching staff," she said. "They are truly more than coaches. They go above and beyond, staying involved with the kids' lives, acting as mentors."

The admiration is mutual.

The Touchdown Club "is truly just an amazing group of parents," said Myers. "I don't know whether they know how unusual they are, but I think everybody should know that Pottstown parents come out and bust their butts to make sure their kids have what they need."

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