On Saturday, March 16, the Applebee’s Bar & Grill, located at 1860 Elmira St. in Sayre, Pa., was bustling at 7:30 a.m. serving up “small stacks for a tall cause.” Normally the establishment would be closed at this time, but the restaurant located in Sayre had graciously allowed the Tioga Central Field Hockey Club to host a Flapjack Fundraiser that morning. The members of the team, ranging in age from five to 11, arrived with their parents at 7:30 a.m. and began serving breakfast to ticket holders promptly at 8 a.m.
With the help of the general manger, Mike, a dishwasher, Emily, and a cook, Evan, the team was able to successfully serve pancakes and bacon along with hot and cold beverages to over 100 people.
One of the parents, Gabrael Sindoni, stated, “The event was a huge success thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers and some spunky little girls. Thanks for all who purchased tickets.”
Not only did the girls raise the funds necessary to continue the club for the 2019-2020 season, they were able to experience the service industry first hand by seating patrons, carrying plates and cups, clearing and setting tables, returning dishes to the kitchen, and cleaning up the restaurant before departure.
Team member Kaylene Sindoni reported that her “favorite part was serving pancakes to so many people.”
Brooklin and Irie Lynch both agree that the fundraiser was a success. They “loved waiting on people and can’t wait to do it again.”
One fundraiser attendee, Brenda Guasp, stated, “Applebee’s did a wonderful job investing in the lives of the little girls [who were there to serve]. Each one was overjoyed seating guests, helping in the kitchen, and serving. It was amazing that they were able to gain so much life experience.”
Jessica Sindoni, the mother of one player, remarked, “It was nice to see the parents come together to make this a success. Oftentimes it’s hard to get parent involvement. The girls, parents, and Applebee’s staff worked super hard together to make this work.”
The Tioga Central Field Hockey Club is a budding youth sports program located in Tioga Center, NY. Prior to November 2018, children who wanted to participate in an area youth Field Hockey program did so by participating with the OATC Hawks, coached primarily by Emily Crawford, Tracey Lane, and Angela Engelbert.
As the OATC Hawks program grew and more girls residing in the Tioga Central School District began to participate, the idea of bringing the sport to Tioga Center was born. The Tioga Girls Varsity Club donated money to cover the start up costs, and over the winter the Tioga Central Field Hockey Club was officially established with practices held locally for the first time. Indoor competitions at the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex during December, January, and February were played in conjunction with members of the OATC Hawks players and coaches.
In September, the Tioga Central Field Hockey Club will practice and compete completely separate from Owego. “It’s bittersweet,” says one parent, “one of my daughters has played with the OATC Hawks for four years and another for three, but having a local team is going to be so much more convenient. Additionally, I really hope that by having a youth team here in Tioga, we can build interest and participation in order to grow and maintain our modified and varsity programs at Tioga Center. We will be forever grateful for the time that Emily Crawford invested in establishing the OATC Hawks and laying the foundation for the Tioga Central Field Hockey Club to take root.”
Angela Engelbert, who has helped coach the OATC Hawks, echoes a similar sentiment.
Engelbert stated, “Working with the Hawks over the past four years has been a wonderful experience. It is a bittersweet separation. The girls that have been part of the program since the beginning have formed wonderful friendships. It will be hard to face them as opponents in the fall. I am looking forward to new beginnings as we break away and form a new team. I am hopeful that bringing a youth program to Tioga will help strengthen the Tioga teams and increase participation at higher levels.”
The Tioga Central Field Hockey Club is an affiliated organization of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which provides the club with affordable insurance and tax-exempt status. Participation with the AAU does require a $300 annual fee.
In addition to the Flapjack Fundraiser held on March 16, the Club has reached out to various businesses in the community to sponsor the team. Many thanks to Engelbert Farms, First Citizens Community Bank in Sayre, Pa., and Richards Funeral Home for their Gold and Silver Level support. Other supporters to date include Scott Smith & Son, Our Green Acres, Ben Weitsman and Son, and Lalor Dental. Not only will the club be able to continue with the AAU for the 2019-2020 season, they will be able to purchase uniforms with funds that have already been generated. The club will still need to raise funds to cover fees associated with use of the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex during the winter, first aid supplies, and equipment.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Tioga Central Field Hockey Club should contact them via their email address: tiogacentralfhc@gmail.com. Any businesses who would like to sponsor the club may do so by mailing a check made payable to Tioga Central Field Hockey Club to 30 Alder Swamp Rd., Barton, N.Y. 13734. Those interested in participating with the OATC Hawks may find them on their Facebook page: TC Hawks Youth Field Hockey.
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