Programs raise nearly $2,000 in donations,
dollars, gifts for two St. Johns County charities
By Official Florida FC
The competitiveness of the Creekside boys soccer team was on display this week when the Knights tried to donate more blankets than their teammates.
Creekside was one of four teams that competed in the second annual Holiday Cup on Tuesday night in St. Johns. The doubleheader was designed to elicit blankets, pillows, toiletries, books and more for a pair of St. Johns County charities: Soaring High Community Outreach and the Betty Griffin Center.
“It’s phenomenal. Obviously, we want to show these kids there is more than just soccer. There are things we should think about more than school and soccer,” said Creekside boys soccer coach Cameron Crandall. “I’m so excited we got to bring in two more programs this year after Fred started it with me last year.”
Fred is Nease boys soccer coach Fred Hallett. He and Crandall have been friends for years and coach at the same club.
Nease hosted Creekside in the inaugural game. This year, St. Johns Bartram Trail and Jacksonville Mandarin also participated. All four schools are located within 25 minutes of each other.
Together, they raised 200 pairs of socks, 150 sheet sets, 100 blankets and 75 books. The four programs also raised $850 in gift cards and $500 more in cash to donate.
As was the case in 2021, businesses got in on the charity as well. Northeast Florida mortgage officer Chris Austin matched the cash donation and T5 Sportswear & Promotions owner Robert Talley donated customized blankets.
Mandarin was a Class 7A state semifinalist in 2022. Its longtime head coach Jason Cooley was eager to help last year, so the Mustangs donated to the cause, but didn’t play in the cup. This year, the on-field play and off-field donations expanded.
“It’s bigger than soccer to me – always,” Cooley said. “It’s great to see the kids having to go out and shop for pillows and blankets and all these things. My guys did a phenomenal job. I’m sure everyone did. I watched them bring all the stuff in. I couldn’t be any prouder. Winning or losing the match was secondary to giving back.”
On the field, there were no winners. Mandarin (9-0-1) needed David Garcia’s 76th minute goal to tie Bartram Trail 1-1. In the second game, Nease’s Brogan Donnelly scored a second half brace to help the Panthers (5-0-3) overcome a two-goal deficit and tie Creekside 2-2.
Creekside’s Ronald Daragjati scored in the 18th minute and Cameron Mueller scored 16 minutes later to give the Knights (9-2-1) a halftime advantage.
Crandall extolled the competitiveness of his team – in securing donations. Hallett put it simply: with more people in need means there are more opportunities to give.
“The four coaches, we are pals,” Hallett said. “It means we have good people who can help influence a community. It just so happens that we are soccer coaches.”
Hallett says donations are still being accepted.
