Score!: Local Woman Top Fundraiser in Charity Soccer Tournament

When Kerri Anness, 26, a Westfield native, played in the Goals for Life charity soccer tournament last year she felt like she was doing a good thing. The annual tournament, which brings together hundreds of adult soccer players from across the area, raises money for breast cancer reseach. 

"Even though I was helping out, I always had a 'this won't happen to me' view," Anness said.

But in January on her sister's 21st birthday, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I was floored," Anness said.

So playing in this year's tournament yesterday in Brookdale Park in Essex County had a different meaning for Anness. She was the top individual fundraiser for the event, raising $3,690. Her team - The Ball Busters - also raised the most money - $5,751.

Anness credits the amount of money she was able to raise to the generous people in Westfield.

Anness, who now lives in Linden with her fiance, is the assistant coach of the girls' varsity soccer team at Westfield High School. She played on the team during her time as a student at the school. She also teaches special education at Washington School.

Anness sent an email in an effort to raise money to the girls on the soccer team at Westfield High, as well as to the principal at Washington School who passed it along to parents. She also emailed her family and friends.

She said the money started to flow in instantly even from people she doesn't even know.

"It's not just like my aunt and my grandmother. It's people I never ever met before," Anness said. "I'm really blessed to live and work in such a wonderful town."

Anness said she believes it's because of charities like Goals for Life that people like her mother are given a chance at survival. 

"My family and I are so appreciative of everyone's efforts, and give charities like this credit for my mom's ability to one day say that she is a survivor," Anness said.

The Goals for Life soccer tournament raised $17,870 for two local breast cancer charities.