October 17, 2023

Olney Eagles need lights and help to fly again

By Mark Lynch, Jr., Business Manager, IBEW Local 98

Limited - IBEW - Olney Eagles - Mayoral Candidate Parker

Courtesy/IBEW Local 98

Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker joined IBEW Local 98 and Olney Eagles Youth Football Association officials at a recent press conference to discuss the vandalism of the lights at the Olney Eagles’ field.

The high-flying Olney Eagles youth football team has been temporarily grounded.

Sometime in early October, thieves tore the expensive copper wiring out of the Olney Eagles football field lights at 4800 Whitaker Avenue. The vandalism has left many young athletes in the dark, jeopardizing the boys football season and the girls cheerleading season. The cost of replacing the stolen wiring is estimated at $30,000 to $50,000.

Limited - IBEW - Damaged Olney Light Poles

Courtesy/IBEW Local 98

Damage done to a total of eight light poles at the Olney Eagles’ fields

When IBEW Local 98’s dear friend and Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker learned of the vandalism, she knew that the entire Philadelphia community had to step up and help save the season for the young athletes. IBEW Local 98 immediately offered to provide the labor needed to repair the lights at no cost.

"It was heartbreaking to see the recent vandalism of the Olney Athletic Fields, but the way the community has come together around solving the issue has been inspiring,” Cherelle Parker said. “I am grateful to our friends at IBEW 98 for their gracious support and enthusiastic initiative. Best of all: Our youth is getting to see how much their community values them. This is Philadelphia at its finest."

Mark Lynch, Jr., Business Manager, IBEW Local 98

When Cherelle first called me with this sad news, we felt the kids’ pain. Many of our members have young children in sports and other after-school activities, so we know how devastated the Olney Eagles kids are to not be able to use their field at night. The damage was significant. A $30,000 to $50,000 repair bill is a heavy lift for any one organization. For that reason, we are calling upon other city businesses, organizations and individuals to help save 300 kids’ athletic seasons by writing a check to help cover the high cost to replace the wiring and repair the lights.

The Olney Eagles Youth Football Association has established a temporary fund to which individuals and organizations can make a tax-deductible contribution to repair the damaged athletic field lights.

A secure electronic payment can be made to https://cash.app/$OlneyEaglesyouth.

Checks may also be mailed to:

Olney Eagles Youth Football Association
c/o President Ed Huntley
5200 North Carlisle Street
Philadelphia, PA 19141

Mark Lynch, Jr., Business Manager, IBEW Local 98