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estfield Academy and Central School Girls volleyball team is fighting on and off the court to help combat breast cancer.
The team is holding a "Pink Out" event from 4:30 p.m. until the end of the varsity game today. The WACS volleyball team will go against Maple Grove and all guests are encouraged to wear pink.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital for Breast Cancer Awareness. The Westfield Volleyball Parents are sponsoring this fundraiser.
The event will include at least 15 basket raffles and a 50-50 drawing. Also, at least 15 gift certificates have been donated from local businesses and families.
Event organizer, Kari Cunningham, said the players on the team are very excited about this event. “They stated: we both fight! They are fighting for a cure while we fight on the court. It makes sense that the two go hand in hand.”
Cunningham said the idea was posed by volleyball coach Julie Valone. “I volunteered and have been working cohesively with many JV and varsity parents to make this event amazing,” she said. “Patty Babcock has helped me obtain donations from businesses. Brandy Cochrane and Tonia Frudd are taking charge of the 50-50 raffle.”
Canningham said that WACS Librarian Melissa Zastrow reached out to the hospital as a possible donation location. “Hospital associate Jackie Francisco has been absolutely amazing in helping us set up this event,” she said. “Westfield Hospital has donated parts of the girls’ uniform for our PINK OUT event, as well as helping to assist in spreading the word.”
Cunningham said the team’s parents hope to demonstrate cooperative support for Breast Cancer Awareness.
“Fighting breast cancer or any cancer hits a soft spot with a lot of the families on the volleyball team, whether it’s one of their family members or one of their friends that have fought the battle,” she said. “We wanted to make sure to show the community that we are united in the fight against cancer, but also, that we are united in supporting our children in the sports in which they participate.”
Cunningham said she hopes the event will be overwhelming. “Our goal is to fill the stands with as many people as we can in all the pink that you could imagine,” she said. “Westfield Memorial Hospital is also showing their support for the girls by donating to their volleyball booster fund.”