MCC News
Thu, Jun 4, 2009 - [Women's Soccer]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Though six women's soccer teams took part in the fourth annual Lady Cougar Women's Spring Fling, the winner was Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do.
The University of Saint Francis women's soccer team along with teams from the University of Notre Dame, IPFW, Michigan State University, Ball State University and Western Michigan University raised more than $5,000 for Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do, which provides opportunity and support for children and their families living with and surviving cancer through ongoing quality recreational activities.
"This is and has been a great opportunity to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak," USF head coach Christy Young said, "to demonstrate through actions rather than words that we all can be 'Champions of Character'. We inspire each other to do great things and these young men, women and children deserve our help and support because of the character they show every day battling the ravages of cancer."
Young, and team member Hilary Powers, recently presented Camp-Watcha-Wanna-Do with a check for more than $5,000.
"We are so grateful to have been the recipients of the fourth annual spring fling that the University of Saint Francis Women's Soccer team put together for 2009," CWWD program director Jennifer Fisher-Ponko said. "It was an amazing event that was enjoyed by all the families. All the teams deserve thanks along with Tony Henry and Deer Park Pub, Kurt Roberts and Casa restaurant community donors, volunteers and attendees. We were given a check totaling $4,876.52 and also received an additional $170.00 earlier for a total of $5,046! We are so blessed to have these funds donated and raised for us."
"We have so many people and organizations who contributed to the success of this year's event and we are very thankful for their tremendous support," Young said after presenting Fisher with the check.
"Ken (former USF coach Ken Nuber) had a goal of raising $5,000," Young continued. "and this is the first year we've been able to meet that goal, so it is very gratifying to know that our team, the other teams, the fans and community pulled together to help so many children at Camp-Watcha-Wanna-Do. It is a team effort to fight this horrible disease that touches so many lives and families."
The soccer and the goal of helping CWWD meant different things to each member of the Lady Cougars.
Melissa Ellisen was one of several team members who helped the Lady Cougars conduct a clinic at the camp last summer.
"Having seen their courage, determination and spirit first-hand really made us want to do all we could to raise money for the camp this year," Ellisen said. "Kids who took part in the soccer clinic were so excited to play and try everything. They really loved soccer 'golf' and after we were done, I remember thinking how strong those children were and determined not let cancer effect their spirit to play and work with the other campers.
"They showed us what character is all about, making cards to cheer up other children who were ill or cards to send to members of families who had lost past campers to the disease. They may have been ill physically, but it didn't deter their spirit to live their lives as fully as possible."
Sara Thieme had never heard of Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do before coach Young told the team that it was the 2009 beneficiary. A visit to one of her nursing classes by a mother and son who had experienced CWWD really opened Thieme's eyes and fired her enthusiasm.
"What was really cool was the way so many people in our community offered to help out and contribute when they heard the cause," junior Sara Thieme said. "I've been part of the 'Fling' three times and this was the largest turnout the day of the event and in building support.
"I thought the (silent) auction idea was great and so many people around the community offered to help with donations and it helped raise awareness about Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do."
Kara Schultheis agreed with Thieme.
"I spoke with the mother of the son that spoke to our class and when I told her what we were doing for (CWWD), she broke into tears she was so happy," Schultheis recalled. "I had such an amazing feeling and we wore those shirts because they all do inspire us."
Thieme and many of her teammates were really motivated after hearing a teenage boy and his mother relate how CWWD made a difference in his life.
"We have guest speakers in (nursing) class and when I heard his story, it struck me what a great opportunity. To hear him talk about how having some friends he could relate to, who understood what he endured, and how CWWD really made a difference, really motivated me. We've had some of teammates volunteered to teach soccer. It's a great cause, playing that Saturday (April 4) was a good time knowing by playing we were helping other people."
The University of Saint Francis women's soccer team along with teams from the University of Notre Dame, IPFW, Michigan State University, Ball State University and Western Michigan University raised more than $5,000 for Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do, which provides opportunity and support for children and their families living with and surviving cancer through ongoing quality recreational activities.
"This is and has been a great opportunity to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak," USF head coach Christy Young said, "to demonstrate through actions rather than words that we all can be 'Champions of Character'. We inspire each other to do great things and these young men, women and children deserve our help and support because of the character they show every day battling the ravages of cancer."
Young, and team member Hilary Powers, recently presented Camp-Watcha-Wanna-Do with a check for more than $5,000.
"We are so grateful to have been the recipients of the fourth annual spring fling that the University of Saint Francis Women's Soccer team put together for 2009," CWWD program director Jennifer Fisher-Ponko said. "It was an amazing event that was enjoyed by all the families. All the teams deserve thanks along with Tony Henry and Deer Park Pub, Kurt Roberts and Casa restaurant community donors, volunteers and attendees. We were given a check totaling $4,876.52 and also received an additional $170.00 earlier for a total of $5,046! We are so blessed to have these funds donated and raised for us."
"We have so many people and organizations who contributed to the success of this year's event and we are very thankful for their tremendous support," Young said after presenting Fisher with the check.
"Ken (former USF coach Ken Nuber) had a goal of raising $5,000," Young continued. "and this is the first year we've been able to meet that goal, so it is very gratifying to know that our team, the other teams, the fans and community pulled together to help so many children at Camp-Watcha-Wanna-Do. It is a team effort to fight this horrible disease that touches so many lives and families."
The soccer and the goal of helping CWWD meant different things to each member of the Lady Cougars.
Melissa Ellisen was one of several team members who helped the Lady Cougars conduct a clinic at the camp last summer.
"Having seen their courage, determination and spirit first-hand really made us want to do all we could to raise money for the camp this year," Ellisen said. "Kids who took part in the soccer clinic were so excited to play and try everything. They really loved soccer 'golf' and after we were done, I remember thinking how strong those children were and determined not let cancer effect their spirit to play and work with the other campers.
"They showed us what character is all about, making cards to cheer up other children who were ill or cards to send to members of families who had lost past campers to the disease. They may have been ill physically, but it didn't deter their spirit to live their lives as fully as possible."
Sara Thieme had never heard of Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do before coach Young told the team that it was the 2009 beneficiary. A visit to one of her nursing classes by a mother and son who had experienced CWWD really opened Thieme's eyes and fired her enthusiasm.
"What was really cool was the way so many people in our community offered to help out and contribute when they heard the cause," junior Sara Thieme said. "I've been part of the 'Fling' three times and this was the largest turnout the day of the event and in building support.
"I thought the (silent) auction idea was great and so many people around the community offered to help with donations and it helped raise awareness about Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do."
Kara Schultheis agreed with Thieme.
"I spoke with the mother of the son that spoke to our class and when I told her what we were doing for (CWWD), she broke into tears she was so happy," Schultheis recalled. "I had such an amazing feeling and we wore those shirts because they all do inspire us."
Thieme and many of her teammates were really motivated after hearing a teenage boy and his mother relate how CWWD made a difference in his life.
"We have guest speakers in (nursing) class and when I heard his story, it struck me what a great opportunity. To hear him talk about how having some friends he could relate to, who understood what he endured, and how CWWD really made a difference, really motivated me. We've had some of teammates volunteered to teach soccer. It's a great cause, playing that Saturday (April 4) was a good time knowing by playing we were helping other people."
