The LIJSL/Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Festival was hosted at Peter C. Collins Soccer Park on Sunday, August 11. Proceeds from the event went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and over $4K was raised.
During the day, there was friendly competition before concluding with a raffle where tons of prizes from soccer gear to Estée Lauder products were won.
Four teams from around the LIJSL – Plainedge X-Treme, Mount Sinai Galaxy, Baymen G12 United, and Northport / Cow Harbor Palermo – played a series of friendly matches from 9 AM – 12 PM. Also, co-ed staff teams from Estée Lauder also took to the field. Referees for the games came from Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) who generously donated their time.
LIJSL has partnered with with the Estée Lauder Companies and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, donating the use of the Soccer Park since the inaugural Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival in 2004.
“We have formed an amazing partnership with LIJSL and we appreciate everything you do for such a great cause throughout the years,” said Lynbrook/East Rockaway President Carlos Ospina, who has helped organize the event since its founding. “Thanks to everyone that supported us in preparation for this great event.
“The Soccer Park staff was on top of every detail down to painting the fields pink. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped with the raffles. Thanks to the referees – not only do they donate their valuable time on a Sunday, but they treat the games as official as any other league game while having fun at the same time, and we could not have this event without them. Thanks to the league teams that showed up to donate to this event. To the coaches, the players, and parents, I love how they all get into the pink spirit and I’m sure the games were top notch. Finally thanks to Stephanie [Hernandez, LIJSL Manager of League Cup & Events] for caring so much for this event. Your hard work helping us plan this event makes it so easy for us.”
Teams from around the League are also encouraged to wear pink and play with pink soccer balls throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A photo gallery from the day can be seen below: