By BUTCH HARMON
LAINGSBURG – After a successful “Dig Pink” match last year, the Laingsburg volleyball team outdid itself at this year’s “Dig Pink” event against Saranac.
“We were very proud of last year’s efforts, so heading into this year, we had some big expectations to surpass,” said coach Tennille Whitmore. “I’m excited to say that we definitely did it. Last year we raised $4,000 dollars. This year’s event was even more successful than the last in raising funds for cancer research/support. We still have some donations trickling in, but so far we are in the $6,000 range. Part of that money is being donated to the SideOut Foundation to support cancer research, and the rest is going to the local Susan G. Komen Foundation.”
The event is special for the Laingsburg team, as breast cancer has hit close to home. “This event is close to our heart, being that our senior setter, Alexis Snider, lost her mom, Lisa Snider, to breast cancer at the start of last season,” Whitmore said. “It initially started as a way to honor the memory of Lisa, show our support for Alexis, her family, and the many in our community who have been touched by this devastating disease. This event has become a way for us to all come together to make a difference. The logo on the shirts we sold really captures the purpose of our event: we are coming together to ‘support the fighters, admire the survivors and honor the taken’ with the goal of impacting the future.”
This year’s match filled the stands and created a sea of pink. Extra events took place before the match, and plenty of pink decorations covered the gym.
“It was a lot of work to make the event happen, but I think all the of the girls would say it was worth it,” Whitmore said. “They spent numerous hours making posters and gym decorations, soliciting event sponsors and donations, hosting bake sales, and selling things like bracelets and t-shirts. While our primary goal is to help make an impact on the fight against breast cancer, I think this event also really helps us as a team. The girls spend a lot of time working together on things other than volleyball, get to know each other better, and seem to become energized by the whole event. So, it really benefits us as a group, as well.”
The girls enjoyed the entire process and event. “Dig Pink is a very important event to me because it allows us to raise money for breast cancer and spread awareness,” said Alexis Snider. “I like participating in Dig Pink, because it is a fun way to support an important cause. One thing I will take away from this event is the great feeling of accomplishment after all our hard work when we see how much money we raised. My favorite part of the event is seeing everyone come together to support this cause. I love seeing the gym completely covered in pink and all the fans dressed in it.”
Senior Jalynn Mitchell echoed those thoughts. “Dig Pink is important to me because my teammates and myself have all known someone that has suffered through breast cancer, and this is such an awesome way to raise money and help others that may encounter the disease. I like participating because it’s a really fun way to raise money for an awesome cause.”