Cancer is a cold killer that touches almost every family in America--indeed, the world. To better fight it, several months have been been set aside to promote understanding of the disease's various forms. October has been nationally accepted as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and because breast cancer is one of the leading killers of women, pink has become the movement's symbolic color.
For the past thirty days, we've read about, or seen, or better yet, taken part in walks, runs, rides, and all sorts of "pink days," during which supportive people (including National League football stars) feature pink in their ensembles.
Not to be outdone, the Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School girls' volleyball program recently hosted an impressive "Chinese auction-style" fundraiser in support of cancer research. On the day of the big event, varsity, JV, and modified teams showed up for their games decked out in personalized pink T-shirts, each decorated with a volleyball and their mantra, "Dig Pink."
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CLVCS Jayvee volleyball players have on their game faces as they show off some of the baskets donated to their cancer awareness fundraiser.
Like most successful projects, this one grew from the cooperative efforts of many. According to spokesperson (and informal organizer), Jay Vee Coach (Diana) Moore, not only did members from the varsity, JV, and modified teams pitch in to help; so did parents, school staff-members and bus drivers. "In fact, people from all over the community helped make this thing take off," said Moore. "We had about twenty-six baskets or gifts donated for the Chinese auction."
The girls also held a bake sale of yummy treats prepared, in some cases by themselves, and in others, by their parents and several faculty members. In addition, they sold 50/50 tickets (pink of course) for a drawing held during the intermission between the jayvee and varsity games during their Oct. 24 contest with North Collins. The CLVC Steams won both games, but more importantly, they raised in excess of $660 for cancer research. "We're going to send it to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo," said Moore. "We know they'll put it to good use."
Coach Moore works as a substitute teacher at the school, usually at the middle or high school level. In addition to volleyball, she also helps coach girls' basketball and softball. She fervently thanked all who gave so generously to the cause. "Support from school personnel and the community are what made this event such a success," she said.