STEUBENVILLE — The “Together We Care” soccer tournament/cancer fundraiser has officially closed the books on what was another outstanding year, generating more than $27,000.
The sixth-annual event was held on Oct. 6 but ran throughout the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“The event takes place each year at Harding Stadium in Steubenville and has continued to grow with this year topping out at $27,428,” noted Rhonda Clevenger, a planning committee member representing Steubenville High School. “All of the proceeds from the day go to the T.E.A.R. Fund at the Tony Teramana Cancer Center.”
T.E.A.R. is an acronym for Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief fund.
“The event has been taking place for the last six years with more than $118,600 raised, which will provide financial assistance to area cancer patients with modest financial needs,” she explained. “At least 27 cancer patients will benefit this year with as many as two to three times that amount that could possibly benefit from the money raised.”
The main event of the day is a soccer tournament with girls and boys teams from Steubenville Big Red, Edison, Steubenville Catholic Central, and Indian Creek schools. The boys and girls teams play four regular-season soccer games throughout the day while competing for city championships.
The event also includes various activities, including a calendar lottery, a Chinese auction, school spirit tables, a pink balloon release after each game in honor of or in memory of a person with cancer.
There are parent volunteers from each school who work for months on planning the event as well as the soccer players, students from school clubs, teachers, and other individuals who donate their time on the day of the event, Clevenger explained.
“The event would not be possible without the help from area businesses, individuals in the community, and the fundraising efforts from the area schools that take place throughout September and October,” she noted.
“A special thank-you goes out to the major sponsors which include Naylor Law Office LTD, Barium and Chemicals Inc., Trinity Health System, Water Transport, GPC Contracting, the UPS Store of Steubenville, Clancey Printing, students from Steubenville City Schools, students from Indian Creek schools, students from Steubenville Catholic schools and the students from Edison schools,” Clevenger added.