Jonathan Bett remembers when Chris Applegate was a new student at his middle school. The two became friends, and played soccer together on several teams over the years. When a tragic hit-and-run accident took Applegate’s life in 2002, Bett, now a fourth-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary in Algonquin, created a soccer tournament fundraiser to honor his friend’s memory. The 10^th annual Chris Applegate Memorial Fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Regional Sports Center.

“We wanted a way to bring everyone together with a memorial,” said Bett. “But everyone was all across the country at different colleges, so it was hard.”

Since they all had soccer as a common interest, Bett decided to create a soccer-centered event.

“We thought it would be a nice way to remember Chris and get everyone back together,” he said. “It’s really been something I think we look forward to every year, and it’s something I’ve been proud to be a part of.”

In addition to providing friends and family with a united way to honor Applegate’s memory, the events also benefit area charities. The first year of the memorial, Bett asked Applegate’s mother, Judy Small, to recommend a charity.

“One of the organizations he was active with was a Humane Society in Chicago, so we raised enough money to have a remembrance for him in one of their kennels,” Bett said. “Since then, it’s grown every year.”

The team fee is $200 and includes three 30-minute games. Teams are comprised of six players and a goalie.

Last year the event included eight teams, and this year it’s back up to 12. Bear Necessities, a pediatric cancer foundation, will be the beneficiary.

Bett said he hopes the reduced team fee will enable more people to come.

“With the way the economy is, we wanted to make sure enough people could participate,” he said. To register email Bett.