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Sports

Fairfield Ludlowe To Host Charity Lacrosse Tournament On Saturday

The event benefits injured Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco

The Fairfield Ludlowe High School lacrosse team and the local lacrosse community will host the fifth annual Sticks for Soldiers Thanksgiving Charity Invitational Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday at Taft Field.

This year's fund raising efforts will benefit Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco of Staten Island, N.Y.,  who was severely wounded in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On Easter Sunday 2009, Marrocco's vehicle sustained a direct hit by an Explosive Fired Projectile (EFP) in Iraq. The 22-year-old  became the first veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to lose all four limbs in combat and survive.

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Specialist Marrocco currently is at Walter Reed Army Medical center going through physical therapy as he eagerly awaits for arm transplants.

Varsity teams from area high schools will participate in a 7- on -7 tournament game format. Team entry fees, raffles, silent auction and other proceeds raised will be donated to Specialist Marrocco  to build an accessible home.

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The tournament starts at 9 a.m. and each team should play at least three games. All are welcome to come, support and watch some fun fall lacrosse.

According to Mike Voucas, the event's founder and chairman, more than $44,000 has been raised since the tournament's inception in 2006.

"Fairfield Ludlowe lacrosse has been proud to host Sticks for Soldiers and grateful to the camaraderie found among participating teams from Connecticut and beyond," Voucas said.

"As a lacrosse community, Sticks for Soldiers is our way of showing respect to those veterans who have sacrificed so much for us. We encourage all players and teams to add to the fundraising efforts, (and) help us raise the bar for Brendan.'

More than 20 teams have registered this year and committed high schools include Fairfield Ludlowe, Fairfield Prep, Ridgefield, Weston, Brien McMahon, Joel Barlow, Staples, Westhill, Greenwich, Newtown, Guilford, Daniel Hand, New Jersey's Ridgewood and other regional programs.

In addition to team entry fees and other event-day fund-raising, organizations and individuals are also encouraged to participate in the "Sticks for Soldiers" charity event.

Donations may be sent to: Mike Voucas, c/o Fairfield Ludlowe High School Lacrosse-  memo note "Sticks for Soldiers", 162 Butternut Lane, Southport, CT 06890.

To learn more about fund raising efforts for Specialist Brendan Marrocco,  visit www.brendanmarrocco.org.

For updated tournament information, schedules, location and tournament history, please see www.sticksforsoldiers.org.

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