ST. BONAVENTURE — This November, members of the St. Bonaventure men’s lacrosse team joined up with Lacrosse Mustache Madness to raise money for those impacted by cancer — and they helped to make a big difference.

The Bonnies raised $14,786 for the HEADstrong Fund created by Hofstra University men’s lacrosse player Nick Colleluori, who lost his battle with cancer in 2005.

St. Bonaventure was one of the nation’s top teams participating in the fundraiser which had participants from coast-to-coast. Out of 88 groups, the Bonnies finished fourth nationally in amount of money raised. All of the proceeds will go toward helping families who have been affected by cancer.

The team was led by sophomore Matthew DeGirolamo who raised $2,593 by himself.

Nationwide, the initiative raised more than $247,000.

St. Bonaventure assistant coach Nico Capron pitched the idea to the team in late October and saw immediate support in the locker room.

“When I posed the idea to the team they jumped at the opportunity,” he said. “We raised $5,000 in two days and $10,000 in 10 days. That’s a real testament to the hearts and minds of our guys in that they wanted to make an impact in the lives of others. Doing something like this offered them an incredible opportunity to rally behind something bigger than themselves outside of lacrosse. We couldn’t be prouder of what they accomplished with it.”