CRVS Holding Futsal Fundraiser For AJ Smathers And Family This Saturday (March 14th)
The Clarion River Valley Strikers will be holding a special Futsal Fundraiser for player AJ Smathers, who has recently been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, and his family, this Saturday (March 14th) at Clarion Area High School.
Futsal is essentially indoor soccer, with the game played 5 versus 5 including the goalie. The tournament will be held in both the main and auxilliary gyms, with both Middle School and High School Divisions.
Eleven teams will be participating.
CRVS representative Matt Uckert Shared, “So we (Strikers) wanted to come up with a benefit tournament to help out a family that has just done so much for our club. They are going through such a tough time as a family and we wanted to do something to give back to them.”
“AJ’s mom is Liz Smathers. She’s been a board member for years. She has been our club’s Registrar for the last few years but puts in so much work behind the scenes with making teams, sending emails, ordering jerseys. He just does a lot!
“She has also coached a number of our Competitive Teams.
“Liz’s husband Jim is our Field Manager and does everything from setting up the fields at the beginning of the season, keeping them painted and even has helped dig some drainage ditches to eliminate water retention on the field.
“Hands on guy!
“They also have a daughter named Sophia, who has played with the Strikers since she was little.”
Doors open at 9:15 and We’ll be having a Chinese auction, 50-50, as well as some great concessions!
Tickets to get in for the tournament are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. If you’d like to donate anything to the cause you can Venmo CRVS @ClarionRiverValleyStrikers and make a note “For AJ”.
To donate Chinese Auction items, please contact soccer@clarionstrikers.org .
All proceeds from this special fundraiser go to benefit AJ and the Smathers family.
Let’s show AJ that he has the biggest home-field advantage around!
Order your “AJ Tough” shirts through this link. $5 from every shirt sold goes to support the Smathers family. Shirts and orders will also be taken during the event.
https://ajtough.desportsinc.com/shop/home/