B.A.B.E.S Take Gridiron For Cancer

A group of moms whose sons play football for the Emmaus Hornets have formed a “Powder Puff” football team to raise money for two charities that support breast cancer patients – the Lehigh Valley Hospital Pink Ribbon Fund and the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

The women are hosting a game/fundraiser to benefit these charities on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in Emmaus Community Park, according to Alicia Lenig, team quarterback, and the entire Emmaus community is invited to come out and show its support.

Lenig points out that it’s free to watch the B.A.B.E.S. play, but fans will have various ways to help the team raise money while they are there, including a 50/50 raffle and T-shirt sale. Plus, a snack stand will be operated during the game and there will be a pre-game hoagie sale. “Of course, any donations will be accepted,” Lenig says.

Armetta's will be supplying food on game night too, Lenig says.

The team is focused on fundraising for breast cancer causes to support “those directly affected in our organization but to support all of those touched by this disease,” Lenig says. 

B.A.B.E.S is an acronym, admits Lenig, but the ladies are keeping quiet about what it stands for. “It started as a joke, now we are bigger than we thought it would ever be,” Lenig explains. “Let’s just say we are the Emmaus Babes.”

The team now consists of 18 players, representing all levels of football players in the Emmaus Hornets organization from flags, Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Junior Varsity and Varsity, Lenig says.

In addition to the Oct. 4 game in Emmaus, the B.A.B.E.S. are scheduled to play on Oct. 18 in Forks Township. They are also registered to play in a tournament on Oct. 20 at Hokendauqua, again raising money for breast cancer.