Arizona Soccer Rises To Collect 1,000+ Toys After Cancellation of Annual Salvation Army Christmas Angel Soccer Tournament
Youth soccer tournaments not only provide a great opportunity for players to compete but also for important fundraising efforts. With the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Soccer Tournament canceled due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona’s soccer community rose to the challenge.
Despite the cancellation of the annual Salvation Army Christmas Angel Soccer Tournament, the Arizona soccer community came through with more than 1,000 presents for the Salvation Army Christmas Angel program which provides toys to thousands of children who didn’t have their tags picked or children who had their tags picked and not returned.
The Salvation Army Christmas Angel Soccer Tournament was canceled just two-days before kickoff due to the Phoenix City Council’s 7-2 vote on December 2nd to rescind all field permits for youth sports and city-owned sports complexes.
“Christmas meant the world to my husband Tom and when we first envisioned this tournament many years ago the goal was to help those who are less fortunate during this time of year,” said Chris McConkey, AZSoccerEvents Tournament Director.
“A big part of this tournament is that every player and every coach has to bring a toy and while soccer is played the driving factor of this tournament has been to always help those in our community. The tournament has always captured the best of the holiday season and we are proud to continue the mission of this tournament this year with the help and support from the ASA.”
If you were not able to drop off a toy at the Arizona Soccer Association and AZSoccerEvents locations this past week, this link to AZFamily will provide details on how you can support the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program.