By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
Lake Orion’s undefeated varsity lacrosse team will face Oxford on Saturday but there are more important issues in play than whether the Dragons remaining undefeated.
It’s because it’s not just not an ordinary game, it’s a game wrapped around a cause that’s bigger than the team and any one person.
Lacrosse for a Cause, which started last year and raised nearly $6,000 for ALS, will take place on Saturday, May 7, at Lake Orion High School. This year the cause will benefit the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund (FWSF).
The FWSF is different and separate from the Wounded Warrior Project, which has come under criticism in recent months. The FWSF is a non-profit origination founded in 2006 that supports Michigan-based soldiers who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The team is undefeated at 10-0 and obviously want to defeat rival Oxford.
But throughout the week, members of Lake Orion’s boys lacrosse team have been selling t-shirts at lunch time at the high school to raise money for local Michigan veterans.
This Saturday at the game parents and volunteers will be selling baked goods, 50/50 tickets, and other items to benefit the group.
“There’s a lot of people in this community whose relatives have served in the military and we want to, as a program, honor them,” lacrosse coach Brad Thomas said.
“We talk about things that are bigger than this lacrosse team and this high school, and I want to give these kids some perspective.”
During both the JV and varsity games, which start at 11 a.m, and 1 p.m. on the Lake Orion football field, there will be a recognition ceremony and several veterans will be in attendance to watch the game.
Thomas said the fundraiser means a lot more than just raising money.
He’s looking at the fundraiser as way to teach humility and appreciation to his athletes. A big take-away he’s hoping is for his players to realize the immense duty it is to be a soldier and what the cost it could have.
“We look at other countries and what their style of life is and how fortunate we are here,” he said.
“The other side of it is that the players can also get another perspective of how important to show respect to those people who are sacrificing their quality of life so we can so we can continue to have such a great quality of life.”
Thomas hopes this event will continue for many years to come.
For more information on Lacrosse for a Cause, people can visit lakeorionlacrosse.com