To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Massapequa High School’s fall athletic teams have each dedicated one home game to the cause. The girls’ volleyball team held its 10th annual Dig Pink fundraiser on Oct. 14, with players from both the varsity and junior varsity teams donning pink uniforms and accessories.
The event began with the junior varsity game. It followed with performances by the cheerleaders and Chiefettes kickline team and a Stand Up ceremony, in which players and people in the crowd held up signs with the name of someone they knew affected by breast cancer. Pink carnations were then presented to all players from Massapequa and the visiting teams.
The McKenna Elementary School Show Choir, comprised of fifth- and sixth-grade students, performed the national anthem and an inspirational song before the varsity game. Both volleyball games were played with pink balls.
CarolAnn Habeeb-Kiel, the varsity coach, said that the event has raised more than $60,000 for the Side-Out Foundation in the past decade to support breast cancer research. She noted that all players were wearing inspirational words on the back of their shirts such as live, trust, overcome, cherish and honor.
The Massapequa Booster Club sold Dig Pink T-shirts and volleyball gear in the lobby, and raffled off baskets, with proceeds included in the school’s donation.
“It’s a big event, and we raise a lot of money,” said Jamie Smith, a senior co-captain of the varsity volleyball team. “It’s nice for use to support breast cancer survivors and all those affected.”
Photo Caption:
The Massapequa girls’ varsity volleyball team supported Breast Cancer Awareness during its annual Dig Pink game on Oct. 14.
Photos courtesy of Massapequa School District
