How it all began...

In April 2021, through auction, we purchased the entire 60,700+ sqft of NFL regulation football field turf used by the Buffalo Bills from 2016 to 2021. Within the 1st week it was decided that the turf would be used to raise funds and awareness for the Courage of Carly Fund at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo New York.  The fund is set up to support pediatric patients with cancer and their families.

After officially partnering with Roswell Park's team, by May the project was underway.  We began to create strategic alliances with several locally owned businesses who were like minded in our vision of raising as much as $100,000 (if we were to sell all available product) for pediatric patients with cancer if we were to sell through the entire field.

 Then, a lot of trial and error started. Handling and processing the over 200,000 lbs of sand filled turf proved to be a monumental task, but we were up for it.  After finding numerous ways to NOT handle and process the turf, the methods were refined and we're on a roll.

What does a football field worth of turf cost?

Perhaps the #1 question we receive is "How much did the turf cost?" To many people's surprise, the turf itself didn't cost much. In fact it was a little under $1,400 only. It is the costs associated with accepting the purchase that add up that make it a monumental sized project.

Here are some facts about how we've been able to commit 51% of sales proceeds to Roswell Park, while being able to cover our expenses, support numerous local businesses and families since our start. 

- Moving the approx 200,000 of turf throughout the first week cost approx $8,500 and supported 3 different local businesses & several families.

- It costs several thousands dollars a month to rent the equipment needed just to move and unroll the over 80 rolls of turf.  It was actually cheaper for us to buy a piece of used equipment rather than renting one for the 7 month long project.  While we couldnt find a piece locally, we found out the business selling it had a Bills fan who worked there so we surprised them by sending the delivery driver back with a few doormats. 

-We've purchased nearly all equipment needed from locally owned businesses & have boughten only used equipment where we were able in order to save money to ensure the largest donation possible.

-We found and hired a newly started Buffalo-based marketing business to do our initial photo, video and marketing help.

-We've already donated over 50 pieces of product/items to families, benefits & other fundraisers to be used for their own fundraising needs.

-We found a locally owned facility to rent storage space from to keep some of our completed product safe.

-At one point a trailer on our property was broken into, but sure to the thief's surprise the trailer was empty, this forced us to take some additional security measures for storage of our equipment and tools.

-We have gone through over 300 razer blades already cutting just over 50% of the field turf.

-We've donated turf to several out of area families and has already made its way as far as California.

-We've gone through hundreds of pieces of PPE keeping our helpers & workers safe throughout the project.  

-All donations (not purchased items) made through our campaign will be donated at 100%. 

-Are current expenses getting to this point are $83,000 and have been paid out of pocket by the Turf for Tots team, but we know with your help we can still raise $100,000 for the Courage of Carly Fund @ Roswell Park!