The crowd kept pouring in for 12-year-old Herricks Middle School student Lexi Zisselman’s Kick For-A-Cure charity soccer goal kicking event on Saturday Feb. 22 at the Hofstra University’s Practice Bubble.
Serving as her Bat Mitzvah project, Zisselman chose to commemorate her late grandfather Issac, who died in 2005 of multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. With Zisselman’s idea and her father Marc’s help, Kick For-A-Cure was conceived, and the turnout was beyond the family’s expectations. The event raised $7,500, with 250 children attending.
“We were anticipating 200 kids,” Marc said. “I love seeing my daughter enjoy soccer, I hope she continues to play through high school—and today being for a charitable cause makes it even better.”
On a relatively warm and sunny day that followed a seemingly endless barrage of snowstorms across Long Island, all seemed to go well for the Zisselman family as Marc ran around the turf field with a loudspeaker to accommodate the large influx of attendees.
Inside the enormous practice bubble, goals were set up for kids to fire two penalty shots for $10, keeping the spirit and excitement of soccer alive and introducing the sport to young boys and girls who are developing an interest. Joined by friends, family, fellow soccer teammates and newcomers to contribute to the good cause, Lexi, sporting her no. 13 Albertson Fury Soccer Club jersey, took in all the excitement while playing her favorite sport since age two. Lexi has also played soccer for the Long Island Rough Riders.
“I’m really happy that everyone came here today to support the foundation,” Lexi said. “I thank everyone for their help.”
Marc, who has played soccer at John F. Kennedy High School and various travel teams, has been the beacon of inspiration for Lexi and said Kick For-A-Cure was a way for Lexi to marry her two passions—fundraising and soccer. Marc also said that his other younger daughter would like to do something similar when she becomes thirteen.
Since his father’s death, Marc has been an active part of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), and runs a charity “Laugh For Life” in New York City every May.
In one night, Marc said “Laugh For Life” raised almost $900,000.
Sponsors for Kick-For-A-Cure the event were Showcase Kitchens, PUMA, The Paul Riley Soccer School, Fire Corners Auto Salon, Angelina’s and Mr. Jay Appliances.
Prizes for the event included a 32-inch flat screen television an iPad mini and a pizza party
for 20 people.
