Local Restaurant Raises Funds for Yuma Football Club FC

Wheezy’s Grill and Sportsbar partnered with the Yuma Football Club FC on December 16 for a scheduled takeover event that pledged 10 percent of sales from a specified time block to support the club. The funds are intended to help sustain players and programs across youth and adult teams, and organizers framed the evening as a straightforward, community driven way for residents to back local soccer simply by dining at the restaurant.

Players, families and supporters gathered at the restaurant, where the fundraiser served both as a revenue source and a community building exercise. For Yuma County, events like this reflect a broader surge of interest in soccer and community sports, and they provide immediate, tangible benefits for clubs that often rely on volunteer efforts and periodic fundraising to cover equipment, travel and program costs.

Beyond the direct financial boost, the event carries public health significance. Organized sports create opportunities for regular physical activity, social connection and mental health benefits for participants of all ages. In a region where access to recreation can be uneven, community fundraisers can help reduce cost barriers that prevent lower income families from enrolling children or adults in league play. Strengthening access to local sports is one practical step toward addressing health disparities linked to inactivity and social isolation.

The partnership also illustrates how small businesses and sports organizations can support one another. Increased patronage during fundraisers helps local restaurants build customer loyalty and sustain jobs, while clubs gain resources and visibility. That mutual benefit can inform policy discussions at the county level about investing in recreation infrastructure, subsidizing youth sports, and expanding partnerships between schools, parks departments and community organizations.

Organizers said they viewed the takeover as a model that can be replicated to sustain programming and grow participation. As local soccer continues to expand in Yuma County, community driven efforts like the Wheezy’s fundraiser will play an important role in making play accessible, keeping families connected, and supporting the local economy.