For the second straight season, the Hobart football team will host a fundraiser to benefit Happiness House. This year's Touchdowns & Tackles for Happiness House will kick off at 1 p.m. on Boswell Field on Saturday, Oct. 22, when the Statesmen host Merchant Marine.
 
The brainchild of senior offensive lineman Jarrid Blades, the initiative raised more than $2,500 last year for Happiness House, which offers an array of educational, therapeutic, recreational and family support programs. Happiness House is noted for its excellent school for children with physical and learning disabilities, but in fact, they provide these services for adults and children with and without disabilities. Annually, Happiness House touches the lives of over 1,000 families in the Finger Lakes region.
 
Throughout the academic year, Hobart football players will visit Happiness House to assist the teachers and interact with the students. Public address announcements, newspaper and online advertisements are also being made to increase awareness of the critical work being done by Happiness House's staff.
 
“Seeing the reaction of the children after visiting Happiness House was a once in a lifetime experience, because even just for a few hours, seeing those smiles on the children's faces and knowing they were having a good time was very heart warming,” said junior wide receiver Paul Ashburn, who will take over the leadership of Touchdowns and Tackles for Happiness House when Blades graduates. 
 
Donors can pledge $1 for every tackle Hobart makes and $7 for every touchdown or donate a flat rate to Happiness House.
 
Blades hopes Touchdowns & Tackles can surpass last year's fundraising success, targeting $5,000.
 
“Visiting Happiness House made me feel grateful that we have a not-for-profit, educational, health and human service organization that cares and devotes its time to children and families in-need making a big difference in the Geneva community,” Blades said.