Soccer tournament raises funds for Make-A-Wish
The Make-A-Wish World Cup Tournament was held in the Recreation and Convocation Center and the Alumni gym April 25.
Last year, the Athletic Department raised between $500-600 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, the fundraiser raised more than $1600, nearly three times what was raised last year.
“We are all proud to have exceeded our target of $1000, and I want to say thank you to everyone who helped achieve it,” said senior Stacey Copeland, former women’s soccer player who has played a large part in organizing the fundraiser.
Twenty teams played several games of indoor soccer to raise money and awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Some of the teams consisted of Bon Appétit chefs, the St. Edward’s Sports Information Department and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“I thought it was a good way to raise money for someone’s wish to come true,” said freshman volleyball player Mary McNamara. “Our team went out for the fun of it.”
After the championship games were played, a representative from Make-A-Wish talked about the foundation and how it works. She then introduced the family of a “Wish Kid,” who shared their story about how the Make-A-Wish Foundation has helped them.
Five-year-old Murray, their son who was diagnosed with leukemia, was recently granted a wish to go to Disney World in Florida. Murray presented the winners of the tournament with their trophies.
A team consisting of alumni and senior soccer players won the men’s league, and for the women’s league, a team consisting of some of the current St. Edward’s women’s soccer players won.
Both winning teams received a trophy and T-shirts.
“I wanted to say thank you to all the athletes, coaches, staff, people who played, donated and helped get the event set up,” said Copeland. “The event was possible and such a success because of everyone working together. It takes a lot of people to make it happen.”
All the money spent in the event, including the team registration fees of $35, donations and money earned at the concession stands were all donated to Make-A-Wish.
