Reading United A.C. is partnering with members of the Reading United Fun League, S.A.A.R.A. (Social Activities for the Associates of the Reading Area), and other local businesses and organizations to present the 3rd annual "Hometown Heroes Soccer Fundraiser".

 

The event will be held on Saturday July 20th at 12:00pm at the Exeter H.S. – Don Thomas Stadium (home field of Reading United A.C.). The day will feature a casual and fun soccer match between the Berks County Law Enforcement and members of Reading United Fun League. Be sure to be there as there will be a K-9 demonstration pre-game show in honor of Jynx. You will not want to miss halftime as the 2012 Drum Corps Associates World Champion Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps will be performing a can’t-miss show. Congressman Jim Gerlach will be attending and sending out the "first kick" to start the day. Donations will be collected and items raffled to benefit the following charities (please take a moment to learn more about these four local heroes):

 

 

John Cusatis, Director of Community Relations of the Reading United stated, "RUFL is aimed at connecting groups of people with fun on the field, and community improvement off of it. We are once again honored to be able to host this event this year. This is our cornerstone community event and each year we want it to get bigger and want to raise awareness to the amazing work these 4 men did and the work that all of our first responders do each and every day. Tragically, this is the 1st year we are honoring CW2 Yoder who was with the PA National Guard and killed in Afghanistan in April. We hope that this yearly event serves as a reminder of 4 local heroes and we are proud to be a part of it."

 

Art Auchenbach, President and GM of Reading United stated, "Reading United is once again very proud to be associated with Reading United Fun League’s support of the Hometown Heroes event and more specifically, these four funds. We are humbled yet again that we can use a friendly game of soccer to remember our fallen local heroes and honor their service and the service of the countless local men and women who protect us every day."

"We are honored to be invited to perform at this year’s Hometown Heroes event," said Reading Buccaneers Corps Director James C. Gruber. "We support Reading United’s efforts to honor Officers Pagerly, Wertz and Wise and CW2 Yoder, and all who serve, and we look forward to entertaining the crowd at halftime."

 

The Law Enforcement Team is 2-0 against the Reading United Fun League with a dramatic 3-2 win in 2011. Please read about this event here. Last year was equally dramatic as Officer Lance Lillis of the Reading Police Department nailed the game winner and dedicated it to Wise, his former partner. Please read about last year’s event here.

If you cannot attend the Hometown Heroes Soccer Fundraiser on July 20th and would still like to donate or help with the event, please direct all questions to John Cusatis.