Football MInicamp Kicks Off at Sachem East

Football minicamp began this week at Sachem High School East.

Thanks to the program's Leadership Through Service initiative, this year's camp is dedicated to supporting U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Darlene Brandafino-Claus contacted East head coach Brian Harvey about developing a program to donate care packages and written letters for troops.

RELATED: Sachem North opened minicamp last week

Brandafino's son Ronnie, 23 as of Tuesday and a Sachem graduate in 2005, is serving in the United States Marine Corps for the Lucky Red Lions, a helicopter squadron made up of CH-53D Sea Stallion transport choppers. They're based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

"We involve as many kids as we can on all grade levels," said Harvey of the Leadership program. "We reach out to the community and when they need assistance, in whatever it may be, we try and help out."

RELATED: Off-season East football photo gallery

Players, who pay to attend the camp, which serves as a fundraiser for the Sachem East Touchdown Club, were asked to donate any number of supplies from daily living essentials to magazines, puzzles, notepads and everything in between.

"It's hard to describe what it means to me to have the community support," said Brandafino-Claus. "I stood on the bleachers [Monday] watching the minicamp and felt overwhelmed by emotion. I'm so proud of my son and believe in what he and his unit are doing for our country. Being a military family is often a lonely feeling, the rest of the world seems to function as if there is no war. For us it is the first and last thing you think about every single day. Having the support of the community, of the football team is hard to put into words."

It also means a great deal for Justin Forestiero, who will play for East as a freshman and her son Alan Claus, who will play for Sagamore for the first time. Both are attending the minicamp and can only be inspired by the support for their family and for America's troops.

"We are grateful and humbled by the way coach Harvey and the Sachem East minicamp have shown their support through the Leadership Through service initiative," she said.

Over 90 players from grades 7 through 12 were signed up for the camp, which has taken place since the school opened six years ago.

RELATED: East and North volunteer at Sachem Sports Club camp

"The kids run around, we work on installing some plays," Harvey said. "We have fun." 

Both Sachem East and North being training camp August 16.