Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/27/17
Staff report
The 11th annual EVANFEST youth lacrosse tournament has been rescheduled to May 21 at Malvern Prep due to excessive rain.
EVANFEST is an all-volunteer foundation that provides money and support to families that have a child battling a life-threatening illness. More than $1 million has been raised to honor the spirit of Evan Brady, a talented lacrosse player who lost his life to bone cancer shortly after graduating from Malvern Prep in 2005.
About 50 teams in the 5th through 8th grade divisions will compete. They will come from Chester County, Delaware County, and SEPYLA, and some from Delaware and New Jersey.
Through fundraising from EVANFEST and the annual November banquet at Drexelbrook, EVANFEST has been able to help more than 250 local families. Still, more sponsors are welcomed and anyone interested should click here.
EVANFEST was created by Evan’s father, Bill Brady, who credits the amazing group of long-time volunteers and many of Evan’s friends for taking over the youth event and banquet and making it so successful. All funds raised by the EVANFEST events go to helping families.
“Obviously, Evan was the inspiration for the events,” said Brady. “As years have gone on, more people have gotten involved; really more of his friends. We have two great events and it’s really about raising as much money as we can to hep families that are in the same situation as we were in 11 years ago.
“We have been able to raise a lot of money and help all these families. It’s very emotional for me when I meet the the families. We’re just very fortunate that the people (volunteers) who started with us are still with us after 11 years.
“We have well over 100 volunteers that help us at EVANFEST at Malvern Prep and the school donates the use of all the fields and the kitchen for the concessions. Malvern players and parents get involved in volunteering – so everything is profit.”
The day will bring surrounding communities together to further the sport of lacrosse and to help raise money to donate to families whose child is battling a life threatening illness. Each team will be guaranteed two games. The games will consist of two, 22-minute halves. Each game will be officiated by professional referees and there will be timed penalties. Most importantly, schedules will feature inter-league play between teams from SEPYLA and CCLA.
Designed as a family event, players, parents, coaches, and their family and friends are welcome and encouraged to participate. There will be plenty of food and EVANFEST merchandise for sale with all proceeds going to benefit the families supported by EVANFEST.
Click here for Evanfest website – http://evanfest.com/
Click here for story posted on the 2016 November Evanfest banquet
Click here for coverage of EVANFEST in 2016