Okay so today’s project hit me while watching Lincoln High’s game last Friday. Just kinda clicked seeing folks struggle with basic stuff in the stands. Hot sun, spilled drinks, the whole mess. Figured, why not actually do something practical instead of just yelling support?
The Awful Realization Moment
Right, so picture this: Quarterback takes a hit, crowd gasps. Next thing I see? Some poor kid a few rows down scrambling for napkins ’cause his soda exploded everywhere. Dad’s trying to mop it up with his cap. Absolute chaos. Plus, half the folks looked roasted like potatoes in that sun. That’s when it hit me: We need Fan Survival Kits, something real simple anyone can grab.
Scrounging & Testing Gear
First step: Raided my garage like a raccoon looking for treasure. Found a beat-up old cooler buried behind holiday decorations. Perfect. Gave it a hose-down – filthy thing sprayed mud everywhere, soaked my shoes. Classic start. Then hit the dollar store:
- Sunscreen packets (those little squeeze ones you get at festivals).
- Cheap hand towels (bought a whole stack, bright red ones to match team colors).
- Wet wipes (gotta be individually wrapped or they dry out).
- Giant pack of bandanas (figured they’re versatile – headband, sweat rag, whatever).
- Mini first aid kit (mostly for bandaids and those stingy alcohol wipes).
Tried stuffing it all into that cooler. Towels took up way too much space – had to sit on the lid to close it. Not ideal. Dumped half the towels out, looked bare. Back to the store for more sunscreen and ziplock bags to keep things dry.
Game Day Field Test (AKA Controlled Chaos)
Rolled up an hour before kickoff last night, cooler sweating in the trunk. Hauled it near the ticket booth. Felt kinda stupid just standing there. Taped a handwritten sign to the lid: “Free Fan Stuff! Grab What You Need!“
First few people walked right past it. Then one guy stopped, squinted, popped the lid. Grabbed a bandana, held it up. “Seriously free?” Nodded. He tied it on, slapped the cooler like a drum – “Good lookin’ out!” Boom. Word spread.
What worked:
- Sunscreen was GONE in like ten minutes. Should’ve bought triple.
- Bandanas? Huge hit. Saw people wearing ’em as neck shades, headbands.
- Wet wipes saved someone’s phone after nacho cheese attacked it.
The Epic Fail: Forgot the damn drain plug in the cooler bottom. Packed ice to keep sunscreen from melting? Big mistake. Melted ice water leaked out, soaked like ten towels before I noticed. Puddle forming under the cooler. Had to scramble, grab the soggy towels clawing out like wet cats. Dumped ’em in a trash bag, smelled like wet dog. Lesson learned: Check your cooler plug!
What Actually Stuck
Total win? Seeing people actually use the stuff. That sunscreen disappearing felt good. The bandana guy high-fiving his buddy felt better. Messy towels? Eh, nobody needs perfection. Just functional help.
Almost packed it in after the towel flood disaster. Glad I didn’t. Next home game, I’m bringing a second cooler just for drinks. Maybe some cheap bottled water. And checking that plug twice. Maybe duct tape it shut for good measure. Lincoln fans deserve better than dripping wet band-aids.
