In two days, the Patriots will play in another Super Bowl. Granite Staters are preparing for this by stocking up on snack food and beer, buying new televisions, lining up baby sitters and making sure their Patriots clothing is ready to go. In the midst of this preparatory frenzy, we suggest adding a less conventional way of celebrating: sharing the love of the game with a child.

In New Hampshire, as in so many other places, kids often get their start in football or cheerleading not through school, but through a private youth sports league. The New Hampshire Youth Football and Spirit Conference has 26 youth football and cheerleading associations. They include the Manchester East Cobras, Manchester South Sabers, Manchester West Raiders, Londonderry Wildcats, John Stark Generals, Goffstown Screaming Eagles and many more.

These are private organizations that operate on membership fees and donations. They give thousands of children the opportunity to learn the basics of football and cheerleading, as well as the values of teamwork, dedication, perseverance and courage.

Helping out with a youth football organization is a good way to share the love of a great game. Many communities in New Hampshire don't have a youth football association. If you live in one of those, you might consider starting a new team. For true fans, that would be a tremendous contribution to the game and a good way to pass the time until next fall.