Event honors soccer dream of Connecticut soldier killed in Iraq a decade ago
NEW HAVEN > The sixth annual New Haven ‘Kick for Nick Night,’ which supports the Gold Star family-run foundation that honors a fallen soldier’s dream by distributing soccer balls to underprivileged children worldwide, will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Trinity Bar and Restaurant, 157 Orange Street, New Haven.
The fundraising event will feature raffles, a silent auction, drink specials, hours d’oeuvres and bagpipers from the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society. Founded to honor the memory and dream of Wilton, CT native, soccer standout, and fallen American soldier PFC Nicholas A. Madaras, The Kick for Nick Foundation (kickfornick.org), has distributed more than 46,000 soccer balls to underprivileged children in 28 countries worldwide.
This year’s event will be especially poignant, as it falls on PFC Madaras’ 30th birthday. ESPN also marked the decade anniversary of Madaras’ death by an IED ambush in Iraq in September, when it profiled his story and the foundation on Sports Channel (www.espn.com/video/clip?id=17453612). Additionally, this year’s event is dedicated to Mike McCann, a fellow veteran who recently passed away and started the New Haven Kick for Nick Night.
The VFW New Haven Post 12150, the American Outlaws New Haven Soccer club, the Southern Connecticut State University Veterans Association, Trinity Bar, and The Kick For Nick Foundation are organizing the fundraiser.
Organizers request the donation of a new or used soccer ball or $15.00 at the door. Additional details, including online donations, can be found on the event page (http://newhavenkickfornicknight.eventbrite.com).
