Adams Boys' Lacrosse Team Raising Funds Tonight at Culver's

boys' lacrosse players, parents and coaches are busily trying to round people up to attend their first big fundraiser of the year at Culver's near Lapeer and Dutton roads in Lake Orion. The fundraiser runs from 5-9 p.m. today.

Ten percent of all sales from the evening will go to the team, helping to diminish the players' costs for next season. According to parent Marilyn Carlstedt, Culver's has just started getting involved with Rochester schools after supporting Lake Orion schools for quite some time. If the team's fundraiser draws enough patrons to Culver's tonight, they will be able to host another fundraiser at the restaurant in May.

“We are trying to get as many people there as we can so we can have another one there,” said Carlstedt. “We are hoping to drive in enough for $3,500 to $4,000 in total receipts.”

The team hopes to receive about $400 from the fundraiser. Carlstedt thinks Culver's method of donating 10 percent of all receipts – instead of requiring a coupon, flier or mention from the patron that they are eating there on behalf of the team – is great.

“It’s very generous and different from many other restaurants,” Carlstedt said.

For a sport like lacrosse, which isn’t funded through the school district, every penny counts. Carlstedt said the cost of equipment alone can be astronomical, costing between $500 and $700. She explained that quality helmets run about $150, sticks cost around $300 with both components, and then there are smaller things such as pads and cleats that need to be purchased.

Some students simply can’t afford the financial burden of taking up the popular sport, but for those who end up playing, even the littlest bit helps. A handful of fundraisers take place every year to benefit the following year’s lacrosse athletes.

According to Rochester Adams Lacrosse Parent Board President Bill Riordan, what the team made from fundraisers last year was able to bring the costs down about $50 per student. Still, just to be a part of the team this year, members had to pay $320 each – not including the cost of equipment.

Costs associated with playing include payment for field usage, transportation and referees, among other things. Those expenses are paid by the players at the beginning of the season.

“We are really trying to find different ways to raise money to offset the costs,” said Carlstedt.

In addition to the possibility of another fundraiser at Culver's in May, there is also talk of a euchre tournament and a bowling tournament fundraiser in the works.

“We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for an expensive sport like lacrosse to have the extra help that fundraisers provide parents and players,” said Riordan.