South Orange County Pop-Warner Team Seeks Community Aid For National Title

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Twenty-three hardworking 11-year-old boys from South Orange County have been working diligently since the start of the football season to leave their mark on the national level.

Now, the Santa Margarita Pop-Warner D1 Cowboys team is asking for the community's help in getting them across the country, after the team earned the opportunity to compete for the national title on Dec. 3 through Dec. 10 in Orlando, Florida, at the National Pop Warner SuperBowl.

"These 11-year-old boys have worked tirelessly since mid-July to earn their spot at this national level," the team wrote on its GoFundMe page. "While this invitation to play at the national level is exciting, it is also a financial obligation for families to travel post-season. Unfortunately, not every family on our team has budgeted for this kind of expense."

The team is trying to raise $40,000 to cover airfare, lodging and meals for the young athletes to compete for the national title. As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised a little over $1,600.

"We kindly ask our friends, family, community leaders, and youth sports supporters to donate to help offset the travel costs," the team wrote on its GoFundMe. "All season long, our boys have been taught the importance of hard work, and that hard work pays off in the end."

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