More than 450 players took Smith Field July 16 for the second annual Kick Around the Clock for Cass, an 11-hour soccer game at Thomas College in Waterville to honor the memory of former #11 Mesalonskee High School soccer player Cassidy Charette.
The event raised more than $10,000 for the ShineOnCass Foundation, created by the Charette family to inspire youth volunteerism and continue the light and legacy of Cassidy, who died Oct. 11, 2014, in a hayride accident, according to a news release from ShineOnCass Foundation.
Event organizers said this year’s fundraising almost doubled last years with the addition of 140 local summer campers participating and an anonymous $3,000 gift made at the event.
“The love and light of Cass is brighter than ever,” Riley Field, Cassidy’s classmate from the Messalonskee class of 2016 and co-chairwoman of the event, said according to the release. “It was another special opportunity to come together to remember Cassidy by playing the sport she loved and being with the people who love her.”
Field said people from throughout the community participated, including soccer, field hockey, football, basketball and other athletes from Oakland, Winslow, Waterville and Fairfield. Neighborhood families formed teams for friendly competition and two local summer camps, Camp Manitou and Camp Modin, each bussed 70 kids and counselors to fill two hours of the 11-hour game played from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Players paid $10 per game and received a commemorative ShineOnCass T-shirt. The 11th and final game was played between Cassidy’s former teammates: Messalonskee Girls Soccer vs. Girls Central Maine United Premier Soccer.
The event was sponsored by Golden Pond Wealth Management, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Hamlin’s Marine and the Michaud Family of Oakland, with support of local businesses.
For information about the foundation or participating in next year’s fundraising event, email shineoncass@gmail.com.
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