NEW HAVEN, Conn.– The Southern Connecticut State University women’s soccer team has partnered with Vs. Cancer this season to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. During their game against Bentley on October 14, the Owls collected donations as part of the Vs. Cancer campaign, while also collecting new and used soccer balls for the “Kick for Nick” Foundation.

In partnership with Vs. Cancer, 50 percent of the money raised will fund national brain tumor research efforts through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, while the other half goes directly to the pediatric oncology unit at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. The SCSU women’s soccer team has raised over $3,100.00 thanks to the generous support of family and friends. They also collected nearly 50 soccer balls for the “Kick for Nick” Foundation at Saturday’s game.

Vs. Cancer was founded in 2012 by childhood brain tumor survivor Chase Jones, who was a collegiate baseball player at the University of North Carolina during the time of his diagnosis. The support of his teammates during treatment was his largest source of strength, which Vs. Cancer now provides to kids all across the U.S. by working with college athletic teams.

Vs. Cancer has worked with hundreds of athletes, teams and communities nationwide to fund the comprehensive spectrum of the pediatric cancer battle: from research initiatives across the country to healing programs within local children’s hospitals. With the help of their student athletes, Vs. Cancer has raised over $4 million dollars since their inception.

To donate and support the teams fundraising efforts, visit: https://team.vs-cancer.org/scsusoccer2017

The “Kick for Nick” Foundation was founded through the efforts of PFC Nick Madaras, a former Wilton High soccer standout who was killed in Iraq. Thus far, more than 50,000 soccer balls have been sent to kids around the world to support this cause.

   

The Long Beach High School boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams joined forces and turned their competitions into charitable fundraisers on Sept. 28. The two teams were each scheduled to play their friendly rivals from Massapequa, and took on the doubleheader as an opportunity to collect proceeds for the battle against Cystic Fibrosis.

Team members, captains, parent volunteers and coaches Bill Gibson and Kerri Rehnbeck were instrumental in organizing this event. Athletes and spectators alike wore purple to represent Cystic Fibrosis awareness. Through sales of baked goods and raffle tickets, $1,906 was presented to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Development Manager Kerry McKibbins. Those involved in the effort gathered on Oct. 11 to make this rewarding contribution.  

The students took on this initiative as a way to support classmate and fellow volleyball player Eddie Roesch, who was joined by his mother and two sisters at the donation gathering. Team members were successful in promoting the effort on social media and throughout the building with posters, which resulted in a gymnasium packed with friends and family members wishing to help the cause.

 

Photo Captions:

 

1: Members of the Long Beach High School boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams gathered with coaches, parents and members of the Roesch family to present a donation to Kerry McKibbins of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

4: Eddie Roesch presents a $1,906 check to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Development Manager Kerry McKibbins.

 

Photos courtesy of Long Beach Public Schools

 

Villanova, Pa. — Three weeks ago, over 4,500 members of the Villanova University community participated in the 12th annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service. 452 of the volunteers were student athletes, coaches, and staff members from 22 teams. This year there were over 135 sites that were served. Overall, the 452 student athletics volunteers completed approximately 1,300 hours of service.

Paulina Bajet, a senior on the women’s tennis team talked about her experience at the day of service.

“Volunteering at Parkway Center City Middle School was amazing! During our service day, we were able to learn more about the history of Parkway Center City Middle School. It was great to hear how the school is catered toward developing inner-city scholars and leading them towards a successful, academic path.”

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner, a senior on the women’s cross country team, explained the impact the day of service had.

“Volunteering at the Providence Animal was a very positive and valuable experience for me and my team as we did some very strenuous hands on work for the shelter and the animals, before spending time with the animals” Buttner said.

She added that “I did have personal feelings toward my service at the Animal Center as I love animals and we got to spend some time with the dogs after our hands on work, learning the story behind each animal. Especially in the wake of the hurricanes, many of these dogs had come from the south to seek shelter and a home. It was beautiful to see them being cared for and the hope of adoption.”

Megan Quinn, a fifth year player on the women’s basketball team spoke about the importance of having the whole team participate in the event.

“I love being able to do work for the Bache Martin community with my team. Day of Service is a great day for my team to come together and appreciate how blessed we are to be at Villanova and how much of a difference we can make for an Elementary School.”

St. Thomas of Villanova believed in challenging all within the Church to serve the least powerful, and to discover love and wisdom in the service of others. St. Thomas was known as “father of the poor,” he established social programs on behalf of the poor. The day of service was created to keep St. Thomas’ mission alive, for the past 12 years the Villanova community has been able to help thousands of local people in need.

Below is a detailed list of where each of the 22 teams volunteered on September 23rd

Friday Lunch Making- VU Men’s Cross Country

Annunciation- VU Baseball

Bache Martin Elementary School- VU Women’s Basketball

Caring People Alliance- VU Track and Field

Nationalities Service Center City- VU Swimming and Diving

Parkway Center City Middle College High School- VU Women’s Tennis

Philadelphia Urban Creators- VU Men’s Lacrosse

Providence Animal Center- VU Women’s Cross Country

Rise Against Hunger- VU Men’s Basketball

Ronald McDonald House- Baking Crew- VU Cheerleading

Ronald McDonald House- Cleaning Crew- VU Cheerleading 2

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse- VU Field Hockey

St. Raphaela Center- VU Water Polo

St. Thomas Aquinas Church/Aquinas Center- VU Women’s Rowing (10 sa’s)

Little Sisters of the Poor- VU Women’s Rowing (10 sa’s)

The Joy of Sox- VU Golf

Friday- Jake Nevin Field House- VU Softball

Sewanhaka Central High School District’s field hockey team, along with other field hockey teams from around Nassau County, participated in “Pink Games” throughout October.

Sewanhaka and Seaford High School recently went “Pink” for their game. Sewanhaka was victorious, winning 2-1 in double overtime.

 

Photo Caption: Sewanhaka Central High School District’s field hockey team went pink during a recent game against Seaford High School.

 

Photo courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Wantagh Middle School students have utilized their aptitude for art and sale of goodies to not only raise the consciousness of the disease but to make a dent in the funding for medical research.

In Jaclyn Gentilesco’s art room, students created self-portraits in the style of Peter Max, which included the study of their individual faces, proportion, and shading. The portrait backgrounds showcased symbolism supporting breast cancer awareness, as well as other causes close to students’ hearts. In addition, art teacher Athanasia Karaiskos’ students created rectangle ribbons to accompany these projects. In Krista Hagan’s class, the students painted, drew or collaged images supporting the fight against breast cancer. All of the artwork was posted on the Artsonia Kids Art Museum website so that parents can purchase gifts decorated with their students’ designs. Twenty percent of the proceeds are returned to the teachers, which will be donated to breast cancer research.

Under the direction of advisers Elyse Brill and Keldya Volpi, student council members also sold confections, pencils, and bracelets twice a week after school through the month of October. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the American Cancer Association.  

Photo captions:

A: From left, Wantagh Middle School students Lauren Rochel, Cristina Kearney, Jonas Hixson, Amanda Dvorznak and Nick Cupelli designed self-portraits with backgrounds supporting a cause such as breast cancer, animal adoption and Make a Wish.

B: Members of the Wantagh Middle School student council sold confections to raise money for breast cancer research.

 

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District