Toronto volleyball team offers a donation for T.E.A.R. Fund

TORONTO -- Volleyball fans know that serving is an important part of each game, but the Toronto High School volleyball team also has made serving others a big part of each of their seasons.

Ten years ago, the team began raising funds to help patients at Trinity Health System's Teramana Cancer Center, and the effort has generated more than $10,000 for the cause.

On Wednesday, senior members of the team presented $1,605 raised through a portion of admissions to the Red Knights' game against Buckeye Local and various drawings for gift baskets and other prizes and bake sales held during this season as part of its Servin' Up a Cure campaign.

Paul Wheeler, Trinity vice president of operations, told senior members of the team on hand to present the donation, "We really appreciate this. We know they have many charities they could help. Thank you on behalf of all of the patients."

Wheeler was accompanied by Catherine Poludniak, Trinity Foundation director; and Marsha Lewis, oncology advocate for the Teramana Cancer Center.

They noted the donation will go to the Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief Fund, which provides help -- from free transportation to utility assistance -- to financially struggling patients treated by the center.

Cari Wagner, a teacher at Toronto Elementary School, noted she was a senior member of the volleyball team when it began raising money for the cancer center.

She said members knew people who had battled cancer and had heard of other schools that have raised funds for the cancer center.

Her mother, Cari Wagner, is among many parents who have supported the effort through the years.

Wagner said the team has raised money for the cancer center in most years since 2011 with exceptions being one in which donations were made to Jennie Dickinson, a local teacher who was battling cancer, and Noah Long, a young Toronto pupil who later lost his battle to the disease at age 8, and another when the volleyball season, like many things, was curtailed by the pandemic.

Mark Ferrell, the school district's athletic director, said the fundraising efforts were supported by their head coach, Lori Lynn Jackson. He noted the team had a good season, with a 23-2 record.

Hannah Dobbs, who serves as co-captain of the team with Andrea Reeves and Michelle Anderson, said of the fundraising game against Buckeye Local, "I think it's awesome being able to play for a great cause. It made the game even more important."