By J.J. Totaro
Special to LoudounPrepSports.com

Ashburn (Jan. 6, 2009) - In a wonderful display of community outreach, the Leesburg chapter of the Moose, the Leesburg Moose Lodge #1041, hosted a dinner in conjunction with the Spartan Slam Duals held at Broad Run High School this past weekend. The dinner was a huge hit and included not only food, but karaoke and fun for the kids and their coaches.

Long time Moose member, and Loudoun County trip driver Danny Doane, and his fellow members offered to host the dinner to the Broad Run coaches mere weeks before the tournament. The Spartan staff graciously agreed and the event was in motion. While Broad Run ran the tournament with teams traveling from New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Danny and the Moose members were busy passing directions out to other bus drivers, setting up the banquet hall, and preparing pasta and sauce, as well as salad and rolls for over 200 kids.

This was no small dinner, and not just for the three Loudoun teams in the tournament; this was a dinner offered to every team in the tournament, including their managers and coaches.  

"It was an incredible offer. One that really caught us off guard at first. We were glad to be able to do it and it went so well," said Broad Run Coach John Puterio.  

And went well it did.  

Seven of the 10 teams came to eat and enjoy. Beacon High School (NY) wrestlers belted out like Michael Jackson via the karioke machine, and they were soon followed by the other schools.  

"It was great to see these kids who had competed against each other all day long, sit there and sing and eat together like they had known each other for years," said Puterio.

The coaches from every school expressed their extreme gratitude for the hospitality of the Moose Lodge and the Broad Run coaching staff, but the members were just as appreciative of the opportunity to do it.  

"We love to do things for the community. We want people to know we are more than just a social group; we do things for the community," said Doane who was more than willing to set up the event. "I have been driving these guys a long time, over seven years I guess, its the least I can do with the friendship we have."

The Broad Run coaches shared the sentiment.  

"Danny has driven us anywhere and everywhere. He has got to be one of the best we have had,"  Puterio said, "It is wonderful that we were able to pull this thing together in such a positive way."

Community is always the most important thing, and the Leesburg Moose Lodge showed its desire and ability to serve not only the local community, the larger population of visitors that came to the small town of Ashburn. Having events like reminds us what a great area we live in, as well as showing other areas how great this area really is. 
  

J.J. Totaro is an assistant wrestling coach at Broad Run High School