Summer Kickoff Festival Raises Nearly $3k for CUYS
On Friday, Chester Upland Youth Soccer volunteers hosted the Swarthmore Recreation Association (SRA) community for its first ever “Summer Kickoff Festival,” a fundraiser that brought in nearly $3,000. The funds will be used to help provide extracurricular programming for the children of greater Chester in the coming school year.
Sara Kelly, Executive Director of SRA, explained, “The Swarthmore Recreation Association and Chester Upland Youth Soccer share important goals: to keep kids active, to grow community, and to promote the game of soccer. SRA is thrilled to partner with CUYS to provide fantastic opportunities for all the kids in our community. Thank you for helping us kickoff summer with so much fun!”
Immediately after the 2021-22 school year ended for the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, participating children came to Henderson Field for the festival. Local volunteers* led the children through a variety of engaging games, and the Philadelphia Union representatives were also present with special opportunities including free prizes for all. Toward the end of the program, the Lynch family thoughtfully brought out their sprinkler for some water fun, very much appreciated in the 90 degree heat.
A generous sponsorship by local dentist office Swarthmore Smiles more than covered the cost of pizza, snacks and beverages for all.
Some families and other community members added to the total collection by purchasing CUYS raffle tickets - and other still can. The drawing will be held July 31; 10 percent of all tickets will be winners. Prizes include Union tickets, bowling gift cards, Match Attax cards and soccer gear. All proceeds will support CUYS’ “Soccer for Success” program that runs in six elementary schools where approximately 90 percent of children live in economic conditions that qualify them to receive free or reduced school lunch.
“Unfortunately, there is a great disparity in the experience afforded to children in the greater Chester and Swarthmore communities, despite their proximity to each other. Typically the CUYS team brings fun and memorable experiences to Chester. This time we turned our programming efforts to children whose families may be in the position to help support our future work up the road, and we were gratified to see that they responded eagerly. We look forward to further partnerships with the community,” said Jeannine Anckaitis, Executive Director of CUYS.
As the children departed the Summer Kickoff Festival, many shared their favorite part of the day. Among the responses: “Crab Soccer!” “Tiger Tail Tag!” “Playing with the Union! “I didn’t have a favorite. I loved everything we did!”
*CUYS offers its special thanks to Sara Kelly, Michelle Jacquette, Harry Ischiropoulos, Audrey Stevens, Kaira Odenigbo, Elise Molloy, Jordana Jasner, Julia Gaudet, Andre Almonte, Colton Anckaitis and Amanda Anckaitis for helping make this special event happen. Please click here to learn about opportunities for your family to get involved with CUYS by volunteering, running a snack drive, “adopting” a player, family or team, etc.
