HHS Soccer Fund to host second golf scramble fundraiser July 27

by Michele Collins

A local golf scramble helps to fund Hudson High School soccer programs, while giving its players an opportunity for community service.

The HHS Soccer Fund is a nonprofit organization, formed by players’ families and interested community members, which will host the HHS Scramble Fore Soccer fundraiser on July 27, at Ellsworth Meadows Golf course.

Sam Maniar, president of the HHS Soccer Fund, said the inaugural golfing event held in 2023 was slated to raise money for bench shelters to protect the soccer players during bad weather.

This year’s event has been expanded to raise even more funds that will be used “to pay off the balance of those shelters, purchase new corner flags in Memorial Stadium, new training goals and game-day polo shirts for the boys’ team,” Maniar said.

Funds also go toward paying athletic fees for families in need and establishing an ongoing college scholarship fund.

The scramble is limited to 32 teams of four golfers, but the organization has ways for non-golfers to participate as well.

“We will have thee pop-up shops – Kendra Scott, RDP Plus and Linked & Locked – an enormous raffle and a used soccer equipment donation drive,”said Maniar. “Non-golfers can also purchase a dinner ticket to join the golfers for dinner and the raffle drawing. … That being said, winners do not need to be present for the raffle.”

An added benefit of the HHS Scramble Fore Soccer fundraiser is it allows the soccer players it benefits to help out.

“The soccer players serve as volunteers at the event,” explained Maniar. “We believe it’s important to serve the community and to work hard for donations. You will see them greeting golfers, loading clubs on carts, selling raffle tickets, and working the special holes on the course.”

The greater Hudson community has also contributed to much-needed support, according to the Maniar.

“We have many sponsors and donors. The Hudson community really has shown up to support us. The main tournament sponsor is Fidelity Investments. We also received a $2,500 donation from an anonymous donor that was then matched by Hydrosol Systems & the Puhl Family,” he said, adding that there were many other smaller donors.

He said that as president of the organization he has witnessed the outpouring of support for the Hudson soccer programs.

“We recognize that the community has so many worthwhile causes, so we are beyond grateful and thrilled with the outpouring of support that we have received,” he said.

Residents who do not attend the golf event, can take part in a basket raffle through an online ticket system. The 40 raffle baskets range in value from $350 to $1,000 each. Tickets can be purchased at birdease.com/sfs.

Maniar added that a few golf slots were still available at press time, and sponsors can also make tax-deductible donations prior to the fundraiser. For more information, visit birdease.com/sfs. ∞

Photo: Scramble Fore Soccer, now in its second year, raises money for equipment and the establishment of a college scholarship. Photos by Dennis Hensley.