By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Greyhounds’ football season begins next month, but the Quarterback Booster Club has begun planning, with various fundraising events already held and ongoing.
Booster Club President Elaine Hernandez said the club’s efforts are focused on one primary goal: the student-athletes who encompass the varsity football team.
Football tryouts are next month, and follow-up scrimmages will determine where players will play on the gridiron.
So far, neighboring Harlingen and a few eateries have hosted club fundraisers.
The first was on July 9 at Texas Roadhouse during a donation night. Hernandez said an arrangement was made for the restaurant to donate 10 percent of a customer’s total food purchases to the club if a ‘Hounds’ supporter presented an event flyer.
A couple of other money-making events began this week, including another restaurant fundraiser at a Chick-fil-A. A portion of the sales from the July 23 event was donated to the San Benito Quarterback Booster Club (SBQBC).
Hernandez said a patron needed to mention the club fundraiser at checkout for a percentage to kick in.
Speaking of kicking in, San Benito fans are kicking into high gear with 62-inch umbrellas.
These popular items, usable rain or shine, went on sale July 20 for $45. Hernandez said they will continue to be offered for purchase online via the club’s social media posts on Facebook or Instagram, and on its website, www.sbqbclub.org.
The club’s other officers are Vice President Yadira Abrego, Treasurer Suzanne Buenrostro, and Secretary Jennise Hernandez. Collectively, they serve as the club’s face and ask for a $20 annual membership fee.
The club will see a boom in membership when August rolls around, especially in advance of the ‘Hounds’ scrimmage against the Brownsville Hanna Eagles on Aug. 20 in Brownsville.
Each has a child who is suiting up for the ‘Hounds on both offense and defense, including Albert Gonzalez (Elaine Hernandez), Roel Abrego (Yadira Abrego), Peter Buenrostro (Suzanne Buenrostro), and Gabriel Garza (Jennise Hernandez).
Many times, these club officers are former members because their sons were on varsity a season or two earlier.
Elaine said that many activities will continue as they have in the past.
“Currently, the club is seeking sponsorships, and links are available on our website,” she said. “We will also begin our meetings in August.”