The Fairfield Ludlowe High boys’ lacrosse team and the local boys’ lacrosse community will host the fifth annual Sticks for Soldiers Thanksgiving Charity Invitational Charity Lacrosse Tournament on Nov. 27 at Fairfield Ludlowe High’s 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, 22-year-old Specialist Marrocco’s vehicle sustained a direct hit by an Explosive Fired Projectile (EFP) in Iraq and he became the first veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to lose all four limbs in combat and survive.

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 in order to build an accessible home. The tournament opening will start at 9 am and each team should play at least 3 games. All are welcome to come, support and watch lacrosse.

Mike Voucas, the event founder and chairman, said "Fairfield Ludlowe Lacrosse has been proud to host Sticks for Soldiers and grateful to the camaraderie found among participating teams from Connecticut and beyond. 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 fund-raising efforts, help us raise the bar for Brendan, and add to the over $44,000 raised since the event’s inception."

More than 14 teams are expected this year and committed high schools include Fairfield Ludlowe, Fairfield Prep, Ridgefield, Weston, Brien McMahon, Joel Barlow, Staples, Westhill, Greenwich, Newtown, Guilford, 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: Tom Mason, c/o Fairfield Ludlowe High School Lacrosse-"Sticks for Soldiers", 134 Old Orchard Park, Fairfield CT 06824.
To learn more about fund-raising efforts for Specialist Brendan Marrocco visit www.brendanmarrocco.org. For updated tournament information, schedules, location and tournament history, go to http://www.stickforsoldiers.org/.