Bloomfield Hills

Lahser football team goes above and beyond its own steep ambitions

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — The goal was $475.

But it quickly became apparent that number would serve only as a steppingstone to a greater total in a grand gesture.

Dan Loria prides himself on some of the criteria he requires his Bloomfield Hills Lahser football players to do in order to have a spot on the team.

One such requirement centers on community service and the need to give back.

So, with the Christmas holiday nearing, Loria and his guys partnered up with Volunteers of America, adopted a family in need and set out on a mission.

“It was a single mother and three kids, so what we wanted to do was raise $475, giving us the ability to spend $100 on gifts for all three kids and mom,” Loria said last week. “Then we’d use the other $75 for grocery story gift card for the mom and their Christmas dinner.”

So the Knights went to work.

Their main source of income was collecting returnable bottles, but parents and families within the football program also arraigned a bake sale and began donating household goods.

When the counting finally started, Loria was floored.

“The bake sale alone brought in nearly $200,” he boasted. “We ended up with right around $600 for this family and their Christmas.”

On Dec. 17, Loria and some of his players met the family, delivering the wrapped presents and the gift card, as well as clothing, hats, gloves, jackets and everyday necessities for around the house.

“I’ve always believed there’s a responsibility to give back, and I think the guys embraced that,” Loria said, “They were on board in every way with this project.”

The Knights also lent a helping hand to Kelly Middle School in Eastpointe. Through an acquaintance, Loria learned of nine different families struggling to put food on the table. He orchestrated a food drive with the Lahser school staff and the football parents, collecting enough food to donate to all nine families.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.