Number of Participants: 2700
Hours Donated: 2
Value of Time Served: $45,630
Event Amount Raised: $58,000
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Soccer
School: Hauppauge High School
Date: October 3, 2023
Location:
Hauppauge High School
Lincoln Boulevard, Hauppauge
NY
About:
On Oct. 3, the stands of Hauppauge High School were a sea of pink as the entire Hauppauge school community came out in support of the 16th annual Kicks for Cancer event.
Kicks for Cancer began as a way to honor and support a Hauppauge High School student, Courtney Tomkin, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 17. The summer after Courtney was diagnosed, Hauppauge High School’s girls varsity soccer goalkeeper, Alexis Gonzalez, went to her coach, Jesseca Kulesa, asking how the team could put something together to help Courtney and her family. From that conversation, Kicks for Cancer was born.
The Hauppauge High School turf field roared with thunderous applause as the girls and boys varsity soccer teams took to the field wearing special pink uniforms. The boys team played Westhampton Beach High School in the first game of the evening, followed by the girls game against Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School. Both Hauppauge teams took home the win. “Say it, fight it, cure it!” rang through the crowd as the Kicks for Cancer fight song.
Food trucks and tents filled with homemade gift items, food and Kicks for Cancer gear lined the field. Supporters were able to enjoy several activities before and during the soccer games, including face painting, bounce houses and raffle prizes. The proceeds of the event went toward research and finding a cure in Courtney’s memory.
The money raised by this year’s event was split amongst several worthy agencies that fight cancer, including the American Cancer Society, Making Headway Foundation, the American Lung Association, Chad Tough Defeat DIPG Foundation and Make-a-Wish as well as the Courtney Tomkin Scholarship and local families in need.
“That fall, she ran out onto the field facing an uphill battle. You wouldn’t have guessed by the big smile on her face as she greeted her teammates in the middle of the field. It was the day her friends and this community stood by her side and developed Kicks for Cancer,” said Courtney’s father, Daryl Tomkin. “This community was a place she loved to call her home. Kicks for Cancer meant the world to Courtney and to us, her family. We hope that Kicks for Cancer continues to grow, that the proceeds will benefit other children suffering the terrible tragedy of cancer, and that someday this charitable event will help in finding a cure.”
Photo captions:
1-2: Hauppauge High School’s girls varsity soccer team faced off against Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School during the Kicks for Cancer event.
3: Fans excitedly cheered after Hauppauge High School’s boys varsity soccer team scored a goal at the Kicks for Cancer event.
4: Ms. Leanne Contino led the Hauppauge High School chamber choir in singing “God Bless America” before the start of the girls varsity soccer game.
5: The Hauppauge High School marching band, color guard and kickline teams gave a spirited performance during Kick for Cancer’s halftime show.
6-7: The Hauppauge High School boys varsity soccer team congratulated one another after winning the game against Westhampton Beach High School.
Photos courtesy of Hauppauge School District
They have committed to raise at least $600 per Girls Varsity team (+$300 for any additional teams – some schools involve their JV, Boys or MS teams).
— Information shared by Coach Jesseca Kulesa