As sure as you can be that the Lions and Cowboys will take the football field each Thanksgiving, you can be confident so will the kids of Kensington and Berlin.
"For a backyard sport it gets pretty competitive," said Noah Mihalko, Kensington.
For six years, football has brought this community closer with the Mihalko family turning their yard into a football field and inviting not only neighbors, but families across Berlin to participate.
"This day is part of getting people together my friends and family," said Mihalko.
Thursday, his backyard on Devonshire Way was transformed into Devonshire Stadium, complete with the national anthem, an announcer, and the coin toss.
"Every year I look forward to this," said Max Rosinski, Berlin.
"I’ve known the Mihalkos since kindergarten and they’ve also provided for me and been like family for me," added Sebby Scott of Berlin.
Local
Parents cheered from the sideline and the stands, made up of rows of lawn chairs in the driveway.
"It seems to get bigger and bigger every year which is very nice," said John Carlone, whose son has played in the game every year.
Three years ago the Mihalko Family decided they wanted to do more than just play football. They also wanted to tackle hunger.
"We donate to different churches or shelters. We try to mix it up every year," explained Noah’s mother Barbara Mihalko.
The players brought non-perishable food items to enter the game. Over the years, the Mihalkos say they’ve filled 50 bags with food.
"It’s just about giving others things that help them that we have that they don’t," said Karolina Carlone, the Mihalkos ten-year-old next door neighbor who designed the signs for the food drive.
The inaugural game was filled with peewee players and dads filling in as quarterback. One mom couldn’t help but notice how much has changed. Not only are the donations growing, but so are the guys on the field.
"What really took to me today was that I saw all the cars lined up and it was all the kids driving themselves over for the game," said Dorothy Carlone.
While they hope the custom continues, their parents say, it’s the lessons that come with this Thanksgiving tradition, they hope last a lifetime.
"Friendship and helping out and thinking about others on Thanksgiving day," said Barbara Mihalko.
The Mihalkos plan to drop off this year’s donations to Plantsville’s Faith Living Church.
