The Huntington Booster Club’s Devil’s Den depends upon donations of athletic equipment and supplies to pursue its mission of outfitting young athletes in need. It needs more help now than ever with an especially high demand for lacrosse equipment.
Located in the basement of J. Taylor Finley Middle School, the 14x5 foot room is capable of serving any student-athlete in grades 7-12. One of the most successful of the Huntington Booster Club’s many initiatives, the Devil’s Den was launched with support from the late Assemblyman James D. Conte, who helped secure a state grant that was used to purchase start-up materials, including shelving, bins, hooks, posters and related items.
The Booster Club has once again put out a call to community members and alumni for donations of new or gently used athletic items, such as bats, baseball gloves, golf clubs, shin guards, soccer balls, lacrosse sticks, cleats, sneakers, tennis racquets, sweat suits, etc. New socks and t-shirts are also sorely needed.
Parent Krista McDonald (516-967-4045 or kristamcdonald@optonline.net) is coordinating the Devil’s Den this year. Coaches can arrange to pick-up gear for athletes in need on their team by contacting Mrs. McDonald.
The Devil’s Den is kept neat and organized. While typically well-stocked, it requires a steady flow of donated gear. Folks willing to help are urged to look through their closets, basements and garages for unneeded athletic equipment and related items and contact Mrs. McDonald to donate the goods.
Those who would like to donate equipment can drop the items off at the Finley Middle School main office or the athletic director’s office at Huntington High School or by contacting Mrs. McDonald. Items can also be picked up at homes in the area.
The Booster Club is committed to assisting athletes who cannot afford to purchase the items they need to participate on Huntington’s sports teams. Coaches are keenly aware of the facility and are encouraged to contact the Booster Club if any of their team members need an item and cannot afford to acquire it on their own.
The mission of the Devil’s Den is simple: Maximize participation, provide student-athletes with an improved overall experience and contribute to a stronger foundation for the Blue Devil sports program.