News & Updates:
GAME ON***Fall 2014 Tournament Click for the NEW schedule- ****FIELD LOCATION CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER
GIRLS VARSITY AT WAKEMAN B & G Club
October 1: HONOREES NAMED for 2014
> USArmy SFC (Ret) Mark Holbert
> USMC SGT Aaron Alonso
Fall 2014 Tournament is Saturday, November 29th at Fairfield Ludlowe HS: email:jtommins@yahoo.com registration.
Staples High School Lacrosse raised over $3,500 toward Sticks For Soldiers in Spring 2014 Season effort and April 26 game
Sticks for Soldiers Thanksgiving Lacrosse Classic
Fairfield Connecticut
The 9th Annual Sticks for Soldiers Classic will be held on Saturday November 29th 2014 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Conn. Help us raise support and awarness for our wounded servicemen and women. Last year's effort raised over $100,000 during the Fall tournament and fundraising.
Sticks For Soldiers is a non-profit 501c3 charity lacrosse tournament held in Fairfield, Connecticut to raise money for wounded troops. The primary mission of this tournament is to provide support and give thanks to the service men and women who put their lives on the line and sacrificed for our country.
Raising money and creating awareness
A worthwhile secondary objective is create a mature awareness among high school athletes to the unseen sacrifices being made on their behalf by people just a few years older than themselves. Through their play and fund-raising participation, the athletes can demonstrate their tangible thanks and support.
Over $330,000 raised since 2006
The tournament, held always on Thanksgiving Saturday, has raised over 330,000 in 8 years, and is an anticipated regional fall-ball competition. Varsity and sub-varsity teams from Tri- State area high schools will participate in a 7-on-7 tournament game format and each team will play at least 3 games. Team entry fees, T- shirt sales, silent auction, sponsors, raffles and private donations will be donated to this year's cause. The tournament usually will start at 9:00 am and conclude by approximately 3:30 pm with a mid-day ceremony to honor the beneficiaries.
The 2014 Tournament effort will support two deserving servicemen, recommended by their fellow soldiers, prior honorees:
US Army SFC Mark Holbert and USMC Sgt. Aaron Alonso:
SFC Holbert ( Ret.). Mark Holbert, 36, Currently living in Rockville, MD. Former 82nd Airborne and Special Forces intel Operator, 16 1/2 years service. Married to Tiffany ( also served), with 7 year old daughter Isabel. Son of career Air Force and grandson of WWII Army soldier. Four deployments to Afghanistan. Born at Andrews Air Force base- returned there wounded in August 2010 from an IED explosion, having lost both legs above the knee, several fingers and thumb, and with arm tissue damage. Has been hand-cycling 10 milers, Marine Corps marathon, playing golf and planning an Ironman. Spirit is to Live.
SGT. Aaron Alonso, Aaron Alonso, 26, Born in Jefferson Township, New Jersey. Currently in recovery and rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda.. Squad leader in 1st Batallion, 9th Marine Regiment, injured just this past February 2014 from an IED explosion. and lost both his legs abouve the knee. Aaron is married to his wife Jessica, with a 12 month old daughter Riley born just weeks before his deployment. In only 6 months of rehab, he wheeled himself in a 5K, and made an inspiring climb up the 88 steps of the Lincoln Memorial in August.
See Honoree Page for Past Tournament Honorees
- The 2013 Tournament: US Army Captain Ben Harrow of Rockville, MD and Ranger Sean Pesce of West Haven, CT
- The 2012 Tournament: US Amy Captain Greg Galeazzi, of Glastonbury, and USMC Sgt. Greg Caron of Ellington. T
- The 2011 Tournament: USMC Sgt. Liam Dwyer of Litchfield, Connecticut; Army Pfc. Josh Budd of Cheshire, Connecticut; and USAF Tech Sgt. Joe Wilkinson of Troy, New York. 2011 Honorees page
- The 2010 Tournament Honoree: Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco of nearby Staten Island NY (see Brendan’s story on our page dedicated to Brendan). Brendan was the first soldier in the Iraq/ Afghanistan operations to survive a quadruple amputation. He has since received a double arm transplant, and is a medical wonder.
In December 2010, a group of Fairfield Ludlowe players had the opportunity to travel to Staten Island to meet with Brendan and to see first hand the construction of Brendan’s new home. Inside Lacrosse did featured article about the event which appeared in the Feburary issue. Click Here To View The Link
For more on Brendan’s Story please see the web page we have dedicated to Specialist Marrocco.
We can make a difference, and you can help
This is an all-volunteer effort. If interested in additional information, to donate, become a sponsor or to secure a team spot in this year's tournament, please contact Jim Tommins, S4S head and Tournament Director at jtommins@yahoo.com. or Mike Voucas, the tournament founder at mike.voucas@yellowbook.com.
2014 Honorees
SFC Mark Holbert SGT Aaron Alonso
Send Donations To:
Sticks For Soldiers, Inc.
Treasurer
PO Box 475, Fairfield CT 06824-0475
Checks made payable to: Sticks for Soldiers Inc.,
S4S is a 501c3 Tax exempt organization
recognized by the IRS. EIN # 46-0962202.
Contact Jim Tommins jtommins@yahoo.com for more information
2013 Tournament Video, courtesy of Lax.com. Honoree US Army Captain Ben Harrow and Army Specilist Sean Pesce speak
Insert title text here ...
2013 Tourney, Honoree Ben Harrow with Army Lax Jersey presented by Coach Jack Emmer. Also seated, Honoree Sean Pesce.
Standing- Coach Emmer, Tournament President Jim Tommins,
Keynote Speaker Army Captain Chris Couch.
Sean Pesce receives his $50,000 2013 gift from Ludlowe players
2012 Honoree Greg Caron with Coach Chris Parisi
and USMC Cpt. John Cimina of Fairfield
2012 Honoree Gregory Galeazzi
See the Sticks For Soldiers photo gallery.
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