WARREN — As local FIRST Robotics and LEGO League teams prepare for upcoming competitions, a local holiday fundraiser is helping the teams to get the funds they need to move forward.

A recent holiday sale was held at Warren G. Harding High School, where vendors could sell their items while also benefiting the local school teams.

Frank Bosak, a coach for the Warren FIRST Robotics Team, said the Christmas at Harding fundraiser is hosted by the Warren Robotics Boosters, which supports all the robotics programs at Warren City Schools.

In addition, the Spirit Shop, which is run by the robotics teams and sells various clothing apparel for Warren City Schools, also benefits the teams.

“Ths Spirit Shop is a fundraiser the robotics team puts on. There is Raider apparel and Warren City Schools apparel for teachers and students, and knick-knacks. All the proceeds will help the teams,” Bosak said.

Alex Richards, a team coach, said the boosters are a nonprofit that provides a variety of support to the teams, including money, mentors and food for events such as the holiday sale.

Richards said the boosters provide meals when the robotics team is busy in the winter months in its building room programming and constructing the robot.

The FIRST Robotics Teams begin their kickoff for the new season on Jan. 10, with the Warren team expected to be joined by other local teams at the school.

Richards said Ursuline and Canfield will join them Jan. 10.

Bosak, a 2005 Harding graduate, was a team member from 2001 to 2005 and has been an adviser for the last 20 years.

Richards said Christmas at Harding has been held for 10 years, but in the past three years, more vendors and participants have taken part, which has helped the event grow.

The Warren team will be marking its 29th season.

“What has kept the Harding team going for 29 years has been the support from the Warren City Schools. Many schools do not receive the same support that we do here whether monetary or being able to hold events like this. The schools provide the security and maintenance staff, which helps us. Warren City Schools have been alongside the team all the time,” Bosak said.

Coaches said other schools such as Niles, Hubbard and Cardinal Mooney no longer have teams.

The Christmas at Harding event has 35 vendors with 100 people working; more than 300 guests are expected to attend.

The FIRST LEGO League has already started its season with regional events held in December and January.

The local teams take part in the regional qualifying events and then advance to the district events, with one set for late January at Champion Middle School.

Richards, who was a FIRST Robotics Team member from 2017 to 2020 and is now a coach, said he likes “showing the new students that they can do things they did not think they could.”

“When I was a team member, I got introduced to a broader world than what I knew in Warren, Ohio. We traveled to Cleveland and Pittsburgh and then got to travel to Florida and Toronto, Canada. Our program really has expanded and provided more opportunities for the students,” Bosak said.

Richards said what is so important is showing the students what they can do. “I am always amazed when I see their reaction that the robot they helped make is out on the field playing. They really are impressed at what the robot can do,” he said.

The event also allowed the teams to show last year’s robot.

Briana Griggy, a sophomore on the team, said the Spirit Shop does well as a fundraiser for the team, with new apparel popular.

“We sell a lot of hoodies and hats in the winter.”

Aiden Griggy, a junior team member, said the team needs the funds for travel expenses when going to different competitions.

Kristin Newbrough of Howland, who teaches a ceramics class at Harding, was taking part in the event, showing how to make certain holiday ornaments.

“I am glad to be able to show this to the public while also helping to support the different robotics teams,” Newbrough said.

Deionte Stoutamire, a sophomore team member marking his second year, said the fundraising helps the team be ready for their upcoming season.

“I look forward to helping the new team members work on building a robot,” he said.