Got your team together yet? 4th annual Chesna Memorial Soccer Jamboree for all levels
WEYMOUTH – Organizers of the Sgt. Michael Chesna Memorial Soccer Jamboree have extended the sign-up deadline for teams to Friday in hopes of drumming up more players.
After travel was largely put on hiatus during to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizer Don Whitaker said it seems many families have vacation plans this summer that interfere with the jamboree.
There has been a slight dip in the number of teams signed up, so Whitaker said they've extended the deadline until Friday as registrations continue to trickle in.
The event held in memory of fallen Weymouth police Sgt. Michael Chesna and resident Vera Adams will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Lovell Field, 1250 Commercial St.
Raffle items include gift certificates to local restaurants and tickets to sports events.
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Whitaker, a regional director for the Boston Bolts soccer team, said teams range from 10 and younger to adult men’s, women’s and coed teams. Organizers also divided teams into recreation and competitive divisions.
"Previously, if a group of friends wanted to get together to support the event, it wasn't the best environment due to the competitive nature," he said. "So we added in the option to choose more or less competitive games."
The jamboree came together quickly in 2018 following the shooting deaths of Chesna and Adams.
Residents and businesses held dozens of events large and small to raise money in honor of Chesna, a 42-year-old married father of two young children, and Adams, a 77-year-old widow and lifelong Weymouth resident. Chesna grew up in Weymouth and lived in Hanover.
Money raised during this year’s jamboree will benefit the Chesna Family Fund, which offers $10,000 scholarships for graduating Weymouth and Hanover high school seniors planning to study criminal justice, and supports the Mary Ellen Gunn Coffey Scholarship Fund. Started in memory of a Norwell mother who died earlier this year, the scholarship fund helps cover sports and activities fees for families that need assistance.
"She was super-involved, and her family hopes to keep her legacy alive by supporting families in need," Whitaker said.
Whitaker said he hopes the event raises $40,000 this year. The event now has nonprofit status, so donations to the jamboree are tax-deductible. For more information, visit facebook.com/ChesnaSoccerJamboree/.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Registration for fourth annual Chesna Soccer Jamboree extended
