The Boothbay Region High School field hockey team is again helping to raise money for the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

For the second straight year, the team is participating in the "Drive Out Cancer" field hockey tournament hosted by Mt. Ararat High School and Morse High School.

The tournament will be held at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham on Saturday, Aug. 27. The round robin tournament will begin at 8:15 a.m. At 10:45 a.m., a balloon release ceremony will be held. The last game will be at 1:30 p.m.

For the past seven years, the Mt. Ararat and Morse field hockey programs have held the tournament to raise awareness and funds to support the fight against cancer. In 2015, Mt. Ararat expanded the event to a tournament which this year will include seven varsity and junior varsity teams from Morse, Mt. Ararat, Maranacook, Boothbay, Freeport, Lincoln Academy and Brunswick.

"In 2015, Krista Chase, Mt. Ararat coach, wanted to make the event bigger and as a result Mt. Ararat and Morse reached out to other teams to join them in a day of field hockey with the main purpose to advocate for awareness of cancer and financial support for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP)," said BRHS Coach Donna Jordan via email. "I personally believe it is important for high school athletes to become in service projects and our team did not hesitate to become involved in the fundraiser when our team received the invitation. 2015 was a great first year for the event as teams from Boothbay, Morse, Maranacook, MTA, Lincoln Academy and Freeport participated raising $4,200 for MCCP."

The fundraising goal for this year is $5,000. All money raised through this initiative will benefit the Maine Children's Cancer Program, the pediatric oncology program of The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

"Each team is responsible for a concession tent with all proceeds going to MCCP," said Jordan. "This year Boothbay will be selling drinks throughout the day. We will have our hockey parents man the tent throughout the day. Since we are the only team that will be providing drinks for everyone in attendance anyone wanting to help us out in any way is greatly appreciated. We are looking for donations of water, sports drinks and juices. Please drop off donations at the high school marked for the “Drive Out Cancer” and we will transport the donations to the event.

"If someone would like to make a donation, please call the high school or they can email me seahawksjordan@gmail.com," said Jordan.

Anyone or business interested in being a sponsor is welcomed. Sponsors names will be printed in the event program and announced throughout the day of the event. Those donating a minimum of $100 will be featured on the back of game jerseys and fan T-shirts. The MCCP, along with Jocelyn Stover, a Mt. Ararat mom and cancer survivor, has set up a fundraising page. To be featured on the T-shirt donations will need to be made by August 19. Donations can be made online at:

http://mccp.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1162452&lis=1&kntae1162452=6122AEF7FFD04F4399911F73DB7738D5

"It is a big event and one the Seahawk field hockey program is very honored to be invited to participate in," said Jordan.