Kick-It Sunday at Walker Road Park for West Side Kickball Fest

Children through adults from all over the west side of Cleveland are welcome Sunday, June 10 at for the 2nd Annual West Side Kick-It Event.

Last year, more than participants from Bay Village, Rocky River, Westlake, Avon and Avon Lake participated in a 3-hour kickball festival.

This year, the event will repeat from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Kick-It was founded in 2009 by a 10-year old with cancer from Northeast Ohio and the program, presented by the Cleveland Indians, is now a national program.

Cathy Welcsh, a director with Kick-It said the west side event was started by a group of moms in honor of one of the player’s relatives stricken with cancer.

 “Walk ins are welcome,” Welcsh said. “Walker Road Park has six fields and two will be used for games of walk ons.”

Funds raised benefit children's cancer research across the country and in Northeast Ohio at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital & University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's. Funds will also support children and their families in the community dealing with cancer.

“Last year (the west side event) raised $15,000,” Welcsh said. “Some players show up after playing soccer elsewhere.”

She added that many walk-ons forge new friendships.

“A lot of people don’t know each other when they show up, but at this event, everyone gets to know each other.”

Teams range from youngsters to “Team AARP.”

“They all just come out and have a great time,” Welcsh said.

Those interested in signing up a team or as an individual ahead of time can do so online.

Similar to other fundraising events, individuals or teams raise money for the cause.

Nationally, Kick-It has raised almost $900,000.

For more information visit www.kick-it.org