$2.3K raised to kick kids’ cancer

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

ASTORIA – When it comes to local soccer clubs, success is not measured by profit, but by community growth. For New York International FC that means a major focus on charity work alongside their on-field effort.

For the second year, NYIFC and bar sponsor Rivercrest came together to host a charity fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fight child cancer. This time raffle prizes ranged from bottles of liquor, drink coolers, coupons to local events and establishments, and of course a picturesque bicycle.

“For the second year we are proudly supporting St. Baldrick’s, a foundation committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers,” said the club’s head of community engagement, Nick Alexandrakos. “As a community club we aren’t concerned with making money or turning a profit for shareholders, we are concerned with making a meaningful impact both on and off the field.”

Last year’s charity event raised a whopping $12,000 for cancer research. While this past weekend saw a fraction of that raised, it was still a rousing success with $2,300 added to the charity coffers.

As the club continues their hard work in both the American Premier Soccer League (APSL) and Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL), they have carried that dedication into their charity work with St. Baldrick’s and other organizations like EVLovesNYC.

“Our passion for our community is at the very core of everything we do, and our motto ‘Rise Together as Champions’ would be meaningless without including all.” said Alexandrakos. “We have a responsibility to compete at the highest level possible and to uplift our most vulnerable neighbors in NYC. There is still much work to be done.”