By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Belles organization hosted an inaugural powder puff football game on Tuesday, Nov. 17 as a fun event involving the community, while at the same time raising funds to help benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Hundreds showed up at the Helena Sports Complex to watch the powder puff matchup that included freshmen and sophomores as the purple team taking on the juniors and seniors as the pink team.

Before the game, the Helena Belles had sold more than 320 tickets to the game at $5 apiece and many more bought a ticket at the gate with all proceeds going to the Arthritis Foundation.

On the night, the powder puff game resulted in more than $2,500 raised for the Arthritis Foundation.

Helena Belles President Denise McDonald believed the game was a success, especially being the inaugural powder puff game.

“The Jingle Bell Run is on Dec. 12 at Railroad Park and that’s when we will donate the money to the Arthritis Foundation,” said McDonald.

In addition to selling tickets to the game, those in attendance had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a Nick Saban autographed football, Alabama basketball tickets and a Massage Envy gift card.

The game featured an exciting back and forth matchup that saw the pink team get the victory 20-12.

The coaches for each team included members of the Helena High School football team and students who in addition to coaching the game, performed and danced to different songs at halftime, which gave the crowd some laughs.

Helena High School senior Anna-Marie Smith has been a Helena Belle for two years and described her experience playing in the powder puff game.

“It felt good to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation and I’m sad this will be the last powder puff event I’ll play in for high school,” said Smith. “It felt good to get the win and our coaches prepared us by drawing up plays and we named them funny names so it would be easy to remember.”

The Arthritis Foundation is leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Arthritis Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections, according to the foundations website.

More information can be found at Arthritis.org.