Footballs for the HER Shelter

by Larry Grossman

Thirty-five yeas ago my friend, Larry Sawyer and I (the 2 Larry's) started the Over the Hill Bowl combining our passion for football with the opportunity to support the H.E.R. Shelter, a great organization that provides support to female and child victims of domestic violence here in Hampton Roads. While our football prowess has steadily diminished over the years, the tradition continues and each year old and new friends get together, play football, eat lunch and write checks to support the Shelter.  Literally, thousands of players have participated over the past 3 decades and over $200,000 has been raised for the Shelter. 

One of the chief goals we have is to increase awareness of the challenges women and children face who live in abusive situations. This past Saturday eight coed teams including the Community Solutions OTH Gang, took the field and had a full morning of touch football, lots of laughs, trophies and yes, even some education about the serious topic of domestic violence.

While Larry and I have passed the baton of organizing the Over the Hill Bowl we are confident that the new generation of volunteers will keep it going for many years to come.  Kudos to our friend Amy Harmon for volunteering to put the event together the last few years.  The Over The Hill Bowl is held the Saturday before the Super Bowl every year in Portsmouth, VA behind Churchland High School.

Anyone interested in putting a team in for the 2020 event feel free to call Community Solutions at 757-461-5098 for more information.  Prior football experience is not a prerequisite to participate in this fun event!