Howell Police Invite You To Arrest Cancer, Sign Car At Soccer Marathon

HOWELL, NJ — For the fifth year, family and friends of Madison Beggs will gather at Soldier Memorial Park to celebrate her memory and to raise funds to battle childhood cancer.

And the Howell Township Police Department will be right beside them, helping to boost that fundraising through its Arrest Cancer campaign.

The Madison Beggs Kicks 4 Kids Soccer Marathon, set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the park on Route 547, raises funds for childhood cancer organizations in honor of Beggs, a 12-year-old Howell resident who lost her 22-month battle with brain cancer in June 2012.

"Madison will be remembered by all who knew her as a brave and courageous girl who inspired all to be strong and to never give up," event organizers said on the marathon's Facebook page. "Her positive attitude toward her fight led to her motto — 'One Day at a Time.' Our goal through the soccer marathon is to make a positive impact on as many lives as we can. If we can positively affect just one life then we will have made the world a better place."

The event will have hundreds of soccer players kicking the ball around in friendly games, as well as a gift auction, inflatables, a dunk tank, the annual Elks Shootout soccer contest for youngsters, a 50/50, face painting, food, music and more, organizers said.

The proceeds of this year's marathon will go to The Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, The Frances Foundation for Kids Fighting Cancer, and Pediatric Cancer Research at St. Jude’s Children's Hospital.

The Howell Police Department is offering the opportunity to add your signature to its colorful car, that commemorates cancer survivors and cancer fighters. The car got its start last year, during "No Shave November," when officers were raising money to support efforts to fight prostate cancer. But the goal of the cancer awareness car is to bring attention to all forms of cancer, officers said at the time.

The car will be clear-coated once it is covered in signatures, officers said.

For a $20 donation, you can sign the car. Click here to donate.

Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick signs the department's cancer car last December, as the car was unveiled after the "No Shave November" Arresting Cancer fundraiser. Photos provided by Howell police