Solanco Football Boosters are trying something new to provide a fun activity for the community that generously supports the group's mission.

Solanco Football Bingo will be held Saturday, March 22, at the Hoffman Building, Park Avenue, Quarryville. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Bingo will begin at 1 p.m.

It will be the boosters' first bingo fundraiser. "We decided to try something different, something we could get more people to attend," Solanco Football Boosters vice president Mary Lucarino said. "Something different for the community. Something different than the Daddy-Daughter Dance and the carnival, the traditional things we usually do."

Solanco Football Boosters volunteer Jen Harris stated that the organization sought to hold an event families will enjoy. "I think the boosters always try to look for things that have community involvement because the community supports the football team so well," Harris said. "Bingo is one of those things that's generational. You can have older people. You can involve whole families to come out and have fun. It's a fun day for people. It provides entertainment."

The bingo's theme is "All Things Outdoors." Prizes will include Yeti coolers, pop-up tents, Blackstone grills, and handmade cornhole boards.

Solanco Football Boosters support both the junior high and high school football teams. "The sole purpose of the boosters is to support the coaches and the teams in all of their endeavors throughout the year," said Lucarino. "Every dollar we raise is spent on the program."

The organization is thankful for all those who contribute. "We've been very blessed with the community making donations," said Lucarino. "We have families that donate, businesses that have been gracious to our program."

The boosters plan to provide new travel gear this year, clothes for players to wear to away games, and travel bags to store equipment.

Solanco Football Boosters purchase knee braces and cleats for players who need them. "We provide anything the boys need that the school does not fund," Lucarino said.

The group prides itself on providing players with copious amounts of healthy, homemade food. "Our biggest expense is the amount of food that our boys eat," Lucarino said.

The boosters feed the team every Thursday night during the fall and after road games. During the four-day camp prior to the season, players are provided three meals a day, snacks, and drinks.

"Mary this year has spearheaded a lot of the food prep with a lot of other volunteers," said Harris. "The food is homemade, healthy, and satisfying. Full meals from salads to entrees to dessert, drinks, fruit. We're not just constantly feeding them hot dogs and pizza. They get high-quality, homemade food."

Solanco Football Boosters also feed players when the players volunteer for community service projects such as Wreaths Across America and community cleanups. Football players also assist with fundraising projects such as the bingo event.

The group provides incentives for players during offseason workouts, rewarding deserving student-athletes with steaks, sweatshirts, and backpacks. Solanco Football Boosters pay for coaches to attend clinics and for the linemen to participate in the annual Roadgraders Challenge at Manheim Central each June.

Occasionally, the boosters arrange for coach buses to take the team to away games that are particularly far from Solanco High School.

Solanco Football Boosters will still hold the Daddy-Daughter Dance on Saturday, April 5, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, 585 Solanco Road, Quarryville.

There will be a DJ, prizes, snacks, drinks, and a photo booth.

For more information about Solanco Football Boosters and its events, email solancofootballboosters@gmail.com or visit the group's social media sites on Facebook (Solanco HS Football Association) and Instagram (@solancofootball).