Aim Athletes Field Hockey Club raised $7,878 for Caroline Previdi Foundation in their first-annual Goal-A-Thon at Newtown High School on June 28. Caroline Previdi Foundation provides financial support for children in need of resources for extracurricular activities.

The foundation began in 2013 in memory of Caroline, a first grader who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. Caroline was involved in many activities including soccer, dance, swimming, and art. Caroline loved helping others, which inspired her family to start this foundation. The foundation has provided more than 400 scholarships to children across Connecticut.

The Goal-A-Thon showcased about 40 participants making 50 attempts to score in two minutes.

“I think kids benefit a lot from their extracurricular activities whether it be through sport teams or whatever they’re interested in,” said Amy Krompinger, who runs the Aim Athletes Field Hockey Club.

“They can learn a lot through those type of activities whether it be good sportsmanship, teambuilding or confidence, knowing the Caroline Previdi Foundation is based out of town [Newtown], it was nice to give back to local families,” Krompinger added when asked what this event meant to her.

“Everyone was having fun, we had a DJ there, Bruno’s food truck and we had raffle prizes,” Krompinger added.

With this being the first of what could be many Goal-A-Thons, ideas for improvements are sprouting already.

“I would hold it in the springtime to have higher participation because in the summertime it’s tough to get a high turnout with a lot of people on vacation — and start our fundraising a little earlier,” Krompinger said.

Eight businesses sponsored the event: Charter Oak Financial, Mono-Crete Step Company, Ingersoll Auto of Danbury, Marygold’s on Main, Scaglione Flooring, Brewster Elks Lodge, Megan Warnock — Realtor, and Signature Printhouse.

“We had great sponsorships from a lot of companies in town and surrounding towns and we’re very fortunate for those people who donated to the foundation and next year we will try to increase that number too,” said Krompinger.

For those interested in registering next year, keep a lookout on the team’s Instagram, aimathletes, for more information.

Tyler Pruneau is a journalism student at the University of Connecticut interning with The Newtown Bee this summer. He can be reached at intern@thebee.com.