Kickin' It

The Hauppauge School District community recently rallied to support the 9th Annual Kicks for Cancer fundraiser. The event raised more than $35,000 through community donations; raffles; and sales of t-shirts, hoodies, bracelets, sunglasses, lanyards, blankets and hats. Kicks for Cancer is named in memory of Courtney Tomkin – a former Hauppauge High School student and soccer player who lost her valiant battle against brain cancer in 2008.

Kicks for Cancer has donated more than $235,000 over the years to various charities, including: the Making Headway Foundation, the American Cancer Society – Making Strides against Breast Cancer, the American Lung Association, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Courtney Tomkin Scholarship Fund. Launched at Hauppauge School District in 2008, today more than 40 schools in Suffolk County run their own Kicks for Cancer game through the Suffolk County Girls Soccer Coaches Association (SCGSCA).

“Kicks for Cancer is an incredible event developed by Jesseca Kulesa and the Hauppauge Girls Varsity Soccer Team (HGVS). However, it isn’t just about our daughter Courtney,” described the Tomkin family. “It is for every family in our community to share in and celebrate their families who have struggled and won, who are battling or who have lost to cancer. Who doesn’t know a family or friend that hasn’t been devastated by a diagnosis of cancer no matter what type? So we celebrated Courtney and all those who struggle with cancer, who are battling cancer and for those who have been victorious in beating cancer’s butt!!! May someday – through research and funding – we be a world that is cancer free!!!!!”

“Our community continues to amaze me. Despite the less than perfect weather conditions this year, we still had a tremendous turnout. We are fortunate that this community, after nine years, has stood behind what we do for Kicks for Cancer,” stated Jesseca Kulesa, Hauppauge’s Girls Varsity Soccer coach and Kicks for Cancer coordinator.

Photos by Frank Bayer.