Number of Participants: 24
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $2,028
Event Amount Raised: $1,600
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Boys Soccer
School: Tappan Zee High School
Date: October 4, 2024
Location:
Tappan Zee High School
Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg
NY
About:
For 12 years, the Tappan Zee Boys Soccer program has made a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Their fundraising efforts, which began in 2013, have a deeply personal origin. Head Coach Jon Jacobs initiated the campaign when his own mother was battling breast cancer, and he quickly realized the impact the disease had on the team’s broader family. Many of the boys had loved ones affected by breast cancer, either still fighting or who had sadly passed away, and this shared connection inspired the team to take action.
Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the team dedicates a weekend to selling pink ribbons for $1 at the World Class Soccer Complex in Orangeburg. All proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization at the forefront of breast cancer research and awareness. This year’s campaign was a resounding success, raising over $1,600 to support the cause.
The community’s response has always been overwhelming, with many people stopping by not just to donate but also to share stories of how breast cancer has touched their lives. Coach Jacobs prepares the boys for these meaningful interactions, emphasizing the significance of their efforts. “It’s a very emotional weekend for everyone and a special opportunity for the boys to be part of something way bigger than themselves,” he explains.
In addition to fundraising, the boys also have the chance to honor loved ones affected by breast cancer. Donations made in their honor or memory prompt the Susan G. Komen Foundation to send cards to the families, letting them know about the donation. This thoughtful gesture brings the community even closer together and adds a personal touch to the team’s heartfelt mission.
Coach Jacobs is incredibly proud of his team’s dedication, saying, “We will continue to do this every year and do our part to fight breast cancer.” The Tappan Zee Boys Soccer team exemplifies the power of coming together for a cause, and their efforts continue to inspire and uplift the community.
