ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — The Rocky River Middle School volleyball teams proved that young athletes can make a significant difference in the fight against breast cancer through their annual Volley for the Cure fundraiser.
The seventh- and eighth-grade conference and non-conference teams rallied together to serve up a monumental donation.
Coach Kristen Smiley addressed the packed room of spectators and announced, “A couple of weeks ago, we held our Serve-A-Thon. Our goal is always to beat what we raised the year before.
“Last year, we raised about $6,500. That was for the entire event, including the (Volley for the Cure) game.
“Our Serve-A-Thon this year, not including tonight, brought in $9,400.”
Said one seventh-grade team member, “It was amazing, that so many friends of mine, and family members, pledged money to the Serve-A-Thon.”
The Volley for the Cure game night featured multiple fundraising activities, including raffle baskets, a 50/50 drawing, T-shirt sales and a bake sale.
The aim of the event was to bring awareness and raise funds.
The visiting North Olmsted team joined in on the cause, sharing event details with their families and fans ahead of the game and wearing pink ribbons and hair accessories.
North Olmsted supporters had reason to celebrate beyond volleyball that evening, taking home the 50/50 prize and four of the six raffle baskets assembled by the Rocky River players.
“We are both so proud of the girls for their dedication to supporting the breast cancer research cause,” said eighth-grade coach Smiley, who started the event five years ago alongside then seventh-grade coach Marie Grano.
The event’s growth has been remarkable. What began with $800 raised in its inaugural year has blossomed into a five-figure fundraising success.
“We thank each and every player, their parents, the North Olmsted and Rocky River fans and the Rocky River Middle School administration and staff for helping to make this such an incredible and successful event,” Smiley said.
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