Seaford community rallies to help local youth soccer association after fire destroys their shed

SEAFORD, Del. – In Seaford, a local youth soccer association is doing all they can to raise money after losing their shed and everything in it in a devastating fire.

“Balls, nets, all the equipment to maintain the fields, to paint the lines for each field, they’re all gone basically,” said Willy Rojas, a coach at the Western Sussex Youth Soccer Association.

On October 17 the Western Sussex Youth Soccer Association learned the fire got started because of electrical issues and if they don’t raise enough money they might not have a next season for hundreds of young players who benefit from the organization. That’s why businesses like Doña Maria’s Pupuseria and Linda Vista Real Estate Services are stepping up to the plate to help raise money.

“A lot of the kids, they’re our customers, they’re our community members,” said Craig Aleman, owner at Doña Maria’s Pupuseria.

“They go to the schools of my nieces and nephews,” said Aleman, “These are our kids, these are our neighborhoods and we have to look out for each other.”

Doña Maria’s Pupuseria will match donations from customers. Linda Vista donated $100 and now they’re asking everyone to do their part.

“We saw how hard it was for them to have this place, the equipment, and for them to lose it the way that they did it was unfair to the kids and it’s still unfair to the kids,” said Reyna Gil, a partner agent at Linda Vista Real Estate Services.

The organization also set up a GoFundMe account to raise $5,000.

“Everybody gets along,” said Rojas.

“It’s a very nice atmosphere, and I hope that this is something that we do not lose because of the fire or because of the current health restrictions,” said Rojas.

The Western Sussex Youth Soccer Association also lost a concession stand, which helps them raise money for each season.

Click here to donate money through the GoFundMe account.

Click here to learn more about the Western Sussex Youth Soccer Association.