Volleyball team gives back

(April 27, 2010) Last week, amid the stresses of finishing another academic term, the Memorial women’s volleyball team took part in three cheque presentations for local charities that have a close connection to the team. The team has been involved in a number of charitable causes this season that helped propel them to their second straight Sea~Hawks Cup win, an award presented by Memorial Athletics to the varsity team that combines athletics with academic performance and community involvement.

Last week alone the team made donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the Iris Kirby House, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The JDRF is a cause that is especially close to the Sea~Hawks. Fourth year middle Sarah Strickland has been involved with JDRF fundraising efforts since she was in grade ten at Holy Spirit High School in Conception Bay South. When she was in grade nine at Villanova Junior High Strickland and her classmates saw firsthand the devastating effect that juvenile diabetes can have when their friend, Sarah Langer, tragically passed away after a courageous fight with the disease. This devastating experience spawned the Sarah Langer Memorial team, which Strickland is a part of, that has raised more than $25,000 since its inception.

Strickland and her teammates were pleased to be able to support the JDRF’s efforts through their $200 donation. She said, “Having seen the impact that this disease can have on young people we really felt that it was important to show that we support the work that the JDRF continue to do.”

The Sea~Hawks also donated $500 to Iris Kirby House, a local shelter for women and children that are fleeing abusive relationships. The Sea~Hawks, as active female community members, felt that they should support the cause. Research shows that young females who participate in sports are more likely to have a healthy self-esteem, and are more likely to leave abusive relationships.

The final leg of the team’s cheque presentation tour ended at the Heart and Stroke Foundation with another $500 donation. Like the JDRF, the women’s volleyball team, like many Canadian families, has also been personally impacted by heart disease and stroke. Team member Nicole Jolliffe’s uncle recently suffered a serious stroke at the age of forty.

Jolliffe, a fourth year libero from Clarenville, appreciates the work that the Heart and Stroke Foundation do, particularly for the families of those that suffer from heart disease and strokes. She said, “The team and I thought it would be really nice to put back into a foundation that works so hard at improving the health of people all over the province.”

Research clearly suggests that active, healthy people are less likely to suffer from strokes or heart disease. Jolliffe felt that as young athletes it was a great fit to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She said, “As Newfoundlanders we have among the highest obesity rates in Canada. We thought as athletes, and generally highly active people, that it would be great to partner with this foundation.”

The cheque presentations were the culmination of a season that had its share of obstacles. The team battled through the adversity of a team-wide flu outbreak and through several injuries that played havoc with their lineup on a weekly basis. However, they always maintained a positive outlook and came together, rallying around each other, to lead the Sea~Hawks in community involvement.

In November each of the team members knitted a square of a special quilt that they sold tickets on to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through the Sea~Hawks Go Pink series. Throughout the season the team was involved in the Rotary Read-A-Long program and volunteered in a number of additional events that were organized by Memorial Athletics. In February the team again stepped up to referee at the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association (NLVA) eighteen and under provincial championship, which generated the revenue that led to the donations made last week.

The Sea~Hawks women’s volleyball team members that were able to take the study break to take part in the presentations were delighted to be able to contribute to such significant causes. However, they were modest, knowing that, despite their ability to give back, the need will continue. Though they recognize the vast number of charitable causes that are out there, the team is already thinking about how they can get involved and give back to the community next season.

The JDRF’s major fundraising event, the Walk to Cure Diabetes is held on June 19th at Quidi Vidi Lake. For information on how to get involved please visit their website at www.jdrf.ca

This June 15th the Iris Kirby House will be celebrating their twenty-ninth anniversary. For more information on the Iris Kirby House visit their website at www.iriskirbyhouse.nf.net

For more information on the Heart and Stroke Foundation visit their website at: www.heartandstroke.nf.ca