Shootout for Soldiers came back with a bang this week on Long Island.
The touring 24-hour lacrosse event that has raised more than $4 million to support wounded veterans over the last decade returned from a one-year hiatus to generate nearly $180,000 with hourlong games that started at 9 a.m. Wednesday and ended at 9 a.m. Thursday.
A NEW RECORD RAISED ON LONG ISLANDOur community came together to fundraiser $179,230.20 for our veterans‼️‼️Are you kidding me! It is amazing what we can do when we come together for a worthy cause. So proud to be a part of such an incredible event pic.twitter.com/zTuvdhEyPF
— Shootout for Soldiers (@SFSLacrosse) July 23, 2021
Among the highlights were a free clinic by North Carolina women’s lacrosse stars Jamie Ortega and Taylor Moreno, an appearance by Whipsnakes midfielder and Stony Brook men’s lacrosse assistant coach Mike Chanenchuk and custom pinnies designed by Pro Athletics, the apparel company owned and operated by former Redwoods faceoff specialist Jerry Ragonese.
That’s not to mention all of the inspiring action on the field at the Town of Oyster Bay Field of Dreams in Massapequa, N.Y.
4:00 means business What a goal!! pic.twitter.com/rLWz9j6pov
— Shootout for Soldiers (@SFSLacrosse) July 22, 2021
Founded in 2012 by then-Boys’ Latin (Md.) student and recent PLL marketing director Tyler Steinhardt and current PLL face RJ Kaminsiki, among others, Shootout for Soldiers is now under the stewardship of Erik Mineo and Alexis Brandolini of the Alpha Echo Project and powered by Team Red, White & Blue, an Atlanta-based nonprofit whose mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.
Cheers to you, my friend @tylersteinhrdt and your vision 9 years ago to start @SFSLacrosse . Our veteran community will always have a lacrosse field to play on w their brothers & sisters. That’s medicine we all need. That’s a direct result of your leadership & passion. https://t.co/zyc4PSFEiW pic.twitter.com/DyF11hWman
— Erik Mineo (@ErikMineo) July 22, 2021
Mineo played lacrosse at St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) and Army and was commissioned as an airborne infantry officer in the height of two wars. Brandolini played lacrosse at Notre Dame Academy (Pa.) and Richmond, working in advertising and leadership development.
The series has reached as many as 12 cities in a single summer. After canceling its 2020 events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shootout for Soldiers will make three stops this summer. They’re in Canandaigua, N.Y., this weekend and in Baltimore Aug. 10-11.
USA Lacrosse is a proud partner of Shootout for Soldiers.