A nonprofit that’s trained generations of young Fort Worth athletes is facing a major setback after a fire destroyed equipment worth thousands. As Hallmark Youth Association’s football season gets underway, president Newtown Braziel says they’re working to rebuild the property they’ve cal led home since 1965. “All of our yard equipment, everything. Everything burned,” he said. Braziel said he discovered the burned-out concession stand back in early July, just weeks before young football players were set to suit up. He said firefighters told him they believe the fire began in a trash can. It claimed field equipment and the $10,000 inflatable that welcomes players to the field. More crucially, the building stored the generator, pumps and hoses that maintained the field. “The kids, it discouraged them to see it and to hear about it and to know it, because it’s a lot of tradition here,” he said. Hallmark is a non-profit. Braziel says they work to make sure all kids who want to participate in track, cheer and football get a chance. While they play on other fields, losing this one means more fees, lost rental revenue and a missed opportunity to hold the fundraisers that could help them rebound. “As far as playing here this year, it would be really tough for us to get back this year. We’d like to try to get back here for our homecoming game, but it would take a miracle probably,” said Braziel. ...read more read less