Number of Participants: 40
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $13,916
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Soccer
School: Totino-Grace High School
Date: November 24, 2025
Location:
Totino-Grace High School
Gardena Avenue Northeast, Fridley
MN
About:
This year, the Totino-Grace boys’ and girls’ soccer programs transformed their annual Kick-It-To-Cancer Fundraiser into a deeply personal act of service. While the fundraiser traditionally results in a monetary donation to a cancer foundation, the teams learned that a parent within their own soccer community was actively undergoing cancer treatment. That realization inspired a meaningful shift: instead of only raising funds, the athletes wanted to directly uplift oncology patients and staff with comfort, encouragement, and care.
A Fundraiser Driven by Community and Compassion
The teams hosted their fundraising event during a day when both the boys’ and girls’ teams competed. During halftime, families and fans purchased raffle tickets for the chance to kick a goal and win a gift card—a fun and engaging way to bring the community together. The money raised funded the purchase of items for care bags, while families contributed additional donated items through a shared Google Doc, ensuring that each bag was filled with thoughtful essentials.
Care-Bag Assembly and Delivery
The girls’ soccer team gathered the following Monday to assemble the care bags, organizing items and preparing them with compassion and detail. The next day, team captains from both programs delivered the bags to the Oncology Floor at the University of Minnesota.
Their timing added even more significance to the project. The University of Minnesota was celebrating the grand opening of its new intake and discharge lounge that same day, and the arrival of the Totino-Grace captains helped create an even more uplifting atmosphere. Captains were invited into patient rooms, where they personally handed out the bags and offered words of encouragement to individuals undergoing treatment.
Student Leadership Throughout the Project
Totino-Grace athletes played key roles in planning and leading the project. Students created the banner and helped manage the fundraising table on the day of the event. While parents coordinated the halftime kicking contest, players met with their coaches. Team captains communicated with their teammates about needed donation items, organized the care-bag assembly gathering, and ultimately delivered the bags to the hospital.
A Strong Showing of Participation
Approximately 40 players across the boys’ and girls’ programs, along with their families, participated in the fundraiser, the donation drive, and the care-bag assembly effort. Their combined dedication made the project a true community effort and a powerful example of service in action.
