When Chesapeake High School welcomed an exciting influx of new students interested in joining the football program this year, the team encountered a challenge: more students wanted to play football than they had helmets available.
That’s when Essex CDC stepped in and the Essex community stepped up.
Chesapeake High School Community Schools Facilitator and Essex native Sarah Miller reached out to Essex CDC to share the need and ask whether we could help rally support from the community to purchase additional helmets before the season began.
We immediately reached out to our network, and the response was incredible.
Todd Schuler, Essex CDC Board Member and partner at Blondell, Miller & Schuler – Injury Lawyers, was the first to step forward, pledging $2,000 toward the effort. From there, other local businesses, community leaders, property owners, and Essex CDC Board members quickly joined him.
Together, the community raised the $4,000 needed to purchase 10 new football helmets, getting them into the hands of Chesapeake students in time for the start of the school year and football season.
Supporters of the Chesapeake High School Football Helmet Fund included:
- Blondell, Miller & Schuler – Injury Lawyers: Todd Schuler, Essex CDC Board Member
- Reid’s Jerk Shack: Lavin Reid
- Essex Plaza: Amy Caplan Stern
- Autumn Lake Healthcare: Mark Miller
- Cliff’s Direct Effect: Cliff O’Connell, Essex CDC Board Member
- Nathan Barbo: Senior VP of Operations at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center Essex CDC Board Treasurer
- Maryland District 6 Delegate Ric Metzgar
And the reaction from the students when the helmets arrived reminded us exactly why this effort mattered.
“First and foremost, thank you so much for your donation. I can’t explain how much it means to the kids. The kids who were without helmets literally lost it when we got the helmets in. Thank you so much for supporting both our program and community. I look forward to meeting every donor in person to thank them personally.”
— Chris Acab, Chesapeake High School PE and Health Department Chair
Investing in Essex’s Young People
At Essex CDC, our work typically focuses on economic development, small businesses, placemaking, and bringing people together to strengthen our community. But community development is also about recognizing a need and figuring out how we can collectively help.
Our young people are the future of Essex. When students are excited to participate in activities, be part of a team, represent their school, and get involved in something positive, we want to see our community rally behind them. This effort was a wonderful example of what can happen when people who care about Essex come together. A need was identified, our community responded, and 10 more students now have the equipment they need to take the field.
Join Us in Celebrating Our Supporters!
We’re excited to share that Chesapeake High School and Essex CDC will recognize the businesses, organizations, and individuals who supported the Helmet Fund during Chesapeake High School’s JV and Varsity Football Doubleheader against Towson High School on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with games at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
We hope you’ll join us in cheering on the Chesapeake Bayhawks, and celebrating the incredible businesses and community leaders who stepped up when our local students needed them.
This is what community looks like. Thank you, Essex!
