Community event to fundraise for foundation and feature 20 teams
On Saturday, Aug. 4, The Michael Magro Foundation will be teaming up with Master Mind Unit for their Fourth Annual Soccer for a Cause at the Kevin Kolm Field in Hicksville.
The tournament, which raised close to $9,000 last year, helped the Michael Magro Foundation to assist pediatric patients and their families with incidentals that we all take for granted, such as petty cash for lunches, dinners, groceries, gas cards and the like. With mounting medical bills, these families have difficulty with meeting simple needs – and this is where the Michael Magro Foundation comes in, as their gift card program has assisted many families with obtaining the basic needs that would otherwise go unmet.
This year’s soccer tournament, according to David Musinski of Master Mind Unit, already has 17 to 18 committed teams (there is space for 20 teams this year). Each team brings anywhere from eight to 12 players. The teams play against each other in a seven-on-seven game (six players and a goalie) and the winner of each meet advances to the next round until the final event. According to Terrie Magro, vice-president of the Michael Magro Foundation, the last two teams “really get into it” and “it’s a great way to spend a day.”
There are approximately 200 participants in the event and the first games begin at 9 a.m. Each participant receives a T-shirt and each team is a different color. Between spectators, friends, children, volunteers and others who are there out of curiosity, there could be up to 350 at the event, according to Musinski. Music will be provided as well as entertainment.
Musinski has been with MMU since its inception. Co-founder Brian Horvath of MMU is on the Michael Magro Advisory Board. Master Mind Unit originally began when a group of Hicksville boys got together and started to set goals with each other on how they could better serve the community. The group wanted to assist with local charities, and since they all played soccer since childhood and were friendly with those in the soccer community, they opted to start their own group. They are now into their fifth year of charity work; their first year was dedicated to the John Theissen Children’s Fund. They have been working with the Michael Magro Foundation for the past four years.
The event is free to the public, and usually ends at around 4 p.m. Currently, Sabrett’s has generously donated burgers, hot dogs, buns, and fixings for the event. Terrie Magro has graciously donated all of the water and soda for the event.
The Michael Magro Foundation, which was started by Paul and Terrie Magro the year after their son, Michael, lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 13, has teamed with Master Mind Unit to bring together competition and camaraderie in the community.
For more information about this event, or if you wish to donate, please visit www.michaelmagrofoundation.com or www.mastermindunit.com.
