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Health & Fitness

Amidst Gray Skies, Mastermind Unit's "Soccer For a Cause" Raises $11,000 For Michael Magro Foundation

On Saturday, August 3rd, with gray skies that almost surely promised wet weather, Mastermind Unit held their 6th Annual “Soccer For a Cause” soccer tournament. This was the fifth year that the event sponsored the Michael Magro Foundation of Hicksville, a 501 © 3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to assisting pediatric patients with cancer and their families, as well as to other Winthrop pediatric specialties where treatment of chronic diseases are ongoing. Those in attendance added to the upbeat energy of the day, and proved that smiles can in fact be wonderful umbrellas!

The event, which was organized by Mastermind Unit, featured twenty soccer teams from the tri-state area. Returning teams, as well as a few newcomers, were at the ready when the event began at 9 a.m. at the Kevin Kolm Memorial Field in Hicksville.

And somehow, the rain held out. It was as if Michael himself was holding back those clouds, to allow the players to continue to compete. By the end of the event, which was around 4 pm, the sun began to shine through, with the promise of a beautiful evening.

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Sponsorship of each team cost $500. Robek’s of Plainview generously sponsored the event as well, and set up their table with drinks to help refresh the players. Peak Performance Physical Therapy also had a sponsorship, and set up their table with literature and goodies to help to promote business. And Hicksville’s own Alyssa Guidice, who began her own baking business called, “A Pound and A Half”, sold her wares at the event. Delicious cookies and cupcakes were featured, and Alyssa generously donated part of her proceeds to the Michael Magro Foundation. A t-shirt stand sold commemorative shirts for $5 a piece; every color under the rainbow had to be on that table. I purchased one in burnt sienna (yes, I loved my Crayolas!) for the cause. And there was a 50/50 booth as well, for the drawing that was held later on in the event.

Legislator Rose Marie Walker, a longtime friend of the Magro Foundation, made an appearance; her bright and cheery demeanor only enhanced the already thrilled crowd.

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Grill masters Paul and Marc Magro had the barbeque going at 11 a.m. Concession proceeds totaled approximately $1,000. All in all, the event raised $11,000 for the Michael Magro Foundation.

Music was generously donated by DJ Breakthrough of Ultimate Acoustics Productions. Time and talent was certainly not wasted; the music was hopping, which added to the fabulous energy of the day.

Winners this year were the Schaefer Alemania team. And second place went to Peak Performance Physical Therapy!

When the event was over, cleanup crews of eager volunteers helped to return the park to its original pristine condition. And Terrie Magro, with her smile that is like a ray of sunshine, was always around, helping everyone on the field and off to feel welcome, as though they were a part of her own personal family.

Mastermind Unit (MMU) is a nonprofit organization which empowers individuals to take a leadership role in their community by organizing events that support a charity of their choice. For more information about their organization, or to inquire about next year’s event, please contact them at www.mastermindunit.com, or shoot Dave Musinski of MMU an email at Dmusinski@hotmail.com.

The Michael Magro Foundation, based in Hicksville, is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2005 to honor the life of Michael Magro, who lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 13. Michael was treated at Winthrop Hospital’s Cancer Care for Kids, and the foundation is dedicated to assisting children with cancer and their families, as well as to other Winthrop pediatric specialties, where treatment of a chronic disease is ongoing. For more information about this wonderful organization, as well as for any of their upcoming events, please visit www.michaelmagrofoundation.com. If you are interested in donating, you can make a private donation on the site, or you can contact Terrie or Paul Magro at 516-935-4510.

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