Schools to play soccer fundraiser

STEUBENVILLE -- The boys' and girls' soccer teams from Catholic Central and Steubenville high schools, along with the girls' soccer teams from Indian Creek Local and Harrison Central high schools, will come together to play three games at Harding Stadium Saturday. Gates open at 9 a.m.

Indian Creek will play Harrison at 10 a.m.; Steubenville will take on Catholic Central girls at noon; and Catholic Central boys will play against Steubenville at 2 p.m.

Local schools had previously held their own soccer events to raise money for cancer. However, in 2013, Indian Creek boys' soccer coach Jonathan Hoover approached other local soccer coaches and proposed the idea of forming a combined soccer benefit. He believed this would raise larger amounts of money to help in the fight against cancer. And with the help of the local soccer community and soccer parents from Steubenville, Edison, Catholic Central and Indian Creek, that proposal became a reality and the first event was soon launched at Harding Stadium.

And continues there to this day. For the past 11 years, the Together We Care event has raised more than $235,000 to help people with cancer. Area businesses have played a vital role in making this event a success, according to organizers, who noted all prizes and sponsorships have been donated to support the event.

There will be multiple giveaways, including a chance auction, a 50/50 drawing and School Spirit basket drawings.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Cancer Dietary Initiative, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide nutritional needs to cancer patients and their families as they undergo hardships of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

"Donations are the main source of income for the CDI and food is purchased locally at the minimum possible cost through the generosity of local food suppliers in the Tri-State Area," officials stated. CDI is located at the First Westminster Church in Steubenville. Each month, food is distributed to more than 100 patients throughout the area.

All JKYSC soccer players who wear their jersey to the soccer benefit will get into the event free of charge.

Sponsorships include: World Cup sponsors, $500 and above, include Sunnyside Cleaning, Target Shop and Karen Lundquist; European Championship sponsors, $250-$499, includes Schell Games, LLC and Dr. Joe Lewis; and Champion League sponsors, $100 to $249, includes Cedar One Realty, Thomas and Tyra Timmons, Loretta Cottrell, Mickie Freeman, Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, Pitchok Dentistry and Murphy's RV.

Those interested in sponsoring the event can make a check payable to the Cancer Dietary Initiative, marking in the memo line "Together We Care." Checks should be mailed to: CDI c/o Patti Daurora, 173 Eldorado Drive, Steubenville, OH 43953.

Parent volunteers have formed a fundraising committee to host the annual event. Committee members include, Cathy Zorne, chair, SHS; Gloria Llewellyn, Kelly Collopy and Crystal Chipps, SHS; Chris Orris, volunteer, employee of Valley Hospice; Lori Long, Indian Creek; and Patti D'Aurora and June Crago, CDI.

For updates, visit the Together We Care Facebook page.