By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Girls within the Helena Belles organization had the opportunity to throw on some jerseys and lace up their cleats the night of Thursday, Nov. 16, as two teams faced off in the fifth annual Helena Belles Powder Puff Game at the Helena Sports Complex.

The purplettes took on the pinkettes in a fun flag football game all for a good cause.

The game consisted of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and senior Helena Belles divided into two separate teams to help raise money for the Helena Miracle League.

The game was played in two 20-minute halves as the purplettes defeated the pinkettes 14-12. Helena varsity football players and parents helped coach both teams, draw up plays and referee the game.

Anna Marie Chapman helps lead the Helena Belles organization and said the funds raised from the game including ticket sales, concession sales and more goes straight to the Helena Miracle League.

“We raised about $2,000 in ticket sales this year,” Chapman said. “The girls practiced about 10-12 hours to prepare and a lot of them are athletes so I think they just enjoy the competitiveness of the game. A lot of them will say ‘Can we play some more?’”

Every Helena Belle is required to complete a minimum of 30 service hours within the community and the majority of girls go beyond the minimum, according to Chapman.

At halftime, the Helena Belles and Helena Mayor Mark Hall presented a check to members of the Helena Miracle League as a result of the game.

The Helena Miracle League’s mission is to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of their abilities, promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues and promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

The league will allow children and adults with special needs to play the game of baseball on a specially designed field. A 125-foot baseball field will be constructed on a plot of land roughly 2.5 acres behind Joe Tucker Park that will include the field, ADA accessible restrooms, a pavilion area, a concession stand and a disability accessible parking lot. The funds raised from the Powder Puff Game will help make this dream a reality.

For more information on the Helena Belles, visit Helenabelles.com.