Published: April 25, 2008 10:29 am            

Kids kick cancer for Powell Foundation

PRINCETON — The Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation is counting on kids to help kick cancer.

Organizers are asking players to collect sponsorships, tie on their soccer shoes and take the field May 17-18 to help families fighting cancer. The first-ever Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation Kids Kicking Cancer Soccer Tournament is set to take over the East River Soccer Complex in a weekend contest hosted by National Electric Company and set to include more than 600 players.

Kim Hickman, a tournament director, estimated about 70 recreation league teams will take part in the weekend fun. Teams already enrolled in the East River Soccer Association, formerly the Mercer County Youth Soccer League, will automatically make the tourney lineup.

“The local teams are automatically in the tournament, and we just ask that each child solicit donations,” Hickman said. “Every bit of money raised goes straight to the Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation.”

Recreation league teams from outside the East River Soccer Association area are encouraged to participate. Their registration fee will be $125, funding that will also benefit the Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation.

Levels of competition will include age groups from U5 all the way through U14. The contest will start Saturday, May 17, with round robin-style game lineups. Players in the U5-U8 categories will all receive free T-shirts and medals for taking part in the play.

Competitors in the more advanced age groups will also receive free T-shirts, but they’ll square off in championship play on Sunday, May 18, Hickman said.

At the tourney’s completion, prizes will keep the competitors playing. The individual player who raises the most money will receive a new Nintendo Wii game system, while the largest team donations will score a team bowling and pizza party. In addition, each participant who collects $100 or more for the Hope Foundation will be entered into a drawing for a second new Wii system.

“Ideally, we would like to raise $60,000 for the Hope Foundation,” Hickman said. “That would mean each kid turning in $100.”

That goal, if achieved, would make the soccer tournament the Hope Foundation’s largest annual fund-raiser, right behind its annual golf tournament.

The Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation is a volunteer organization that has raised more than $400,000 since its inception in 2002. The donations help local families fighting cancer by providing financial support for housing, fuel, groceries, vehicle repair and medical expenses.

In the last eight months alone, the foundation has provided more than $50,000 in assistance to more than 20 families.

With the help of Champion Auto Sales, the foundation purchased a pre-owned car for a family whose 12-year-old car had more than 165,000 miles on it and had become inoperable. With assistance from two local businessmen, the foundation also provided a private emergency flight with medical personnel for a local family who needed emergency transportation from the University of Virginia to St. Jude’s Hospital.

And, the JPHF regularly furnishes EZ Passes for local families traveling the West Virginia Turnpike for treatment in Charleston and gift cards for families in need of clothing and special toys for children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Though plans for the tournament have already been set, there’s still room to contribute. Banner, field, food and beverage sponsorships are still available, ranging from $100—$250 contributions, and donations will be accepted at the gate the day of competition.

For more information on the tournament contact Hickman at jkhickman@ yahoo.com or Michelle Dye at questions@mercersoccer.com. For information on the Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation, contact Tim Powell at 320-7335.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.

        

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