Cricket Club's Tournament Scores Big for Special Olympics

The Amwell Valley Cricket Club recently scored without giving up any wickets when the group presented a check for $4,038.05 to Special Olympics New Jersey.

The donation followed a tournament and silent auction held at the Hillsborough Golf and Country Club in July by the club. Special Olympics NJ Director of Special Events & Corporate Accounts Diane Paraskevas was on hand to accept the gift. 

The fundraising event included lots of cricket action, with teams from across the region participating. On the first day of the tournament, AVCC notched a win against their opponents, MadDogs of Greenwich, Conn. The following day, the game against Philly outfit British Officers Cricket Club was ended early by rain. 

“But the rain didn’t dampen the generosity of the players and spectators,” AVCC president Alan George said. “MadDogs and BOCC were just as enthusiastic as we are about SONJ’s mission, and helped us make this a very successful event.”

The Amwell Valley Cricket Club seeks to provide a safe and fun environment for adults and children to learn about and play cricket, and to promote and support the growth of cricket in the United States. The club, formed in 2010, plays from May to September each year.

And the AVCC members have historically looked to make their tournaments moe meaningful with fundraising projects.   

"While this is the first year we sponsored the Special Olympics, in previous years we supported the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, raising over $10,000," George said. "We chose to change so that other members who had a charity clause to their hearts could be supported."  

Next June, SONJ will host the 2014 USA Games throughout venues in New Jersey. The USA Games, held in a different state every four years, draws 3,000 athletes, 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and 15,000 family members and friends to the event from across the nation. 

“We are fortunate to be able to play this great game in our leisure time,” said AVCC captain Tony Thandi, “and if at the same time we can help others to play their favorite sports, that’s a win-win.”

Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Amwell Valley Cricket Club seeks to provide a safe and fun environment for adults and children to learn about and play cricket, and to promote and support the growth of cricket in the United States. The club, formed in 2010, plays from May to September each year.

And the AVCC members have historically looked to make their tournaments moe meaningful with fundraising projects.   

"While this is the first year we sponsored the Special Olympics, in previous years we supported the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, raising over $10,000," George said. "We chose to change so that other members who had a charity clause to their hearts could be supported."