Scotch Plains Honors 12-Year-Old Baseball Player with “Jamming for Jacob Day” on May 15
Jacob Benedicto is a third baseman and catcher for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood 12U Blue baseball team and he loves the Yankees.
He is also being treated for a rare form of cancer, known as Rhabdomyosarcoma. Jacob’s teammates have been giving him plenty of support, as they need him on the field.
To help out, they chipped in to buy Jacob a Gio Urshela jersey, to show his love for the Yankees third basemen when he goes to his next chemotherapy treatment.
The Township Council also is voicing support for Jacob, passing a resolution to promote the “Kids Jam” fundraiser to help offset medical costs. To further raise awareness, the Township Council has deemed May 15 as “Jamming for Jacob Day.”
“The team created these terrific `Jamming for Jacob’ stickers, and I’m thrilled that more than 900 of them have been distributed to sports team across town,” said Scotch Plains Councilman Matt Adams. “Everyone is asking for these stickers to show their support for a fellow athlete in the community.”
The initial purpose of “Kids Jam” was to raise funds for the team’s trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now, money is being raised for the “Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation,” to support Jacob’s off-the-field battle.
“While we are nowhere near as fun as Jacob’s pals on his baseball team, the Township Council wants to do our part to show our support for this worthwhile fundraiser and let Jacob know we are pulling for him,” said Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo. “I want to express our gratitude for the entire community who has embraced this terrific cause, yet another reason why this town is so special.”
