News : 4th, 5th, and 6th grade football put on the dogs for a cause

Metro football players raised $780 during their lunch at Fareway on Saturday.

Dave Kelchen of Fareway poses with the Viking Metro League teams and coaches.

The Vinton-Shellsburg 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Metro League football teams hosted their annual Viking Youth Football fundraiser on Saturday, August 20 at Fareway Stores. Dozens of players and parents showed up and helped serve up some yummy hot dogs by master griller, Jim Merchant. A free will donation was taken up for help in purchasing equipment, gear and other essentials.

The teams met Fareway Manager Dave Kelchen on Wednesday afternoon to thank him for the store's role in making the fund-raiser a success. Coach Stu Overton told the players that the fund-raisers help purchase equipment to help make them better players. This year, the teams will play most of their games in Cedar Rapids, but some of the players will have a chance to play in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, said Overton. Games begin in about three weeks.