Herricks High School athletes organized a number of fundraisers recently, demonstrating their good character and compassion for others. More than $5,000 in donations was collectively raised to assist veterans in need and to help in the fight against cancer.
The football team joined forces with the Vocational Independence Program (VIP) to raise $1,700 for the American Patriot Heroes Fund, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the assistance of honored heroes. VIP is a life skills program for students with special needs. Volunteers sold T-shirts throughout the week of homecoming, and members of the football team wore black camouflage jerseys for the game in honor of the cause. The game culminated with VIP student and team manager Liam O’Brien scoring a touchdown.
The football program also collaborated with Youth Against Cancer in coordinating the Herricks Tackles Leukemia fundraiser. The initiative benefited the pediatric cancer division at Memorial Sloan Kettering in honor of Ashley Kong, a Herricks High School student who sadly lost her battle with leukemia last year.
Kong, who underwent treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering, is remembered as a beloved student, athlete, friend, daughter and sister who had a passion for life and a courageous spirit.
The event, raised approximately $3,000.
Throughout the week, students sold orange T-shirts and bracelets that they, along with faculty members, donned at the game to represent leukemia awareness, research and support. Youth Against Cancer sold baked goods at the game as well, and Kong’s brother Taylor did the opening coin toss.
The girls volleyball team raised close to $700 in their annual Dig Pink fundraiser to support the Side-Out Foundation, which raises proceeds to support breast cancer research and treatment.
The players wore pink jerseys, sold T-shirts throughout the week, held raffles and sold baked goods during the game.
