This group of girls (and their parents) have been with Kay and me since our initial foray into the world of fundraising and community outreach. They were hosting a send-off BBQ for their Coach Mariel Wilner (also the Goalkeeper Coach for the Penn State Women’s team) earlier this summer and invited us to share our story, explain our mission, and have a few hamburgers and pierogi along the way. Despite it being our first, and in hindsight rather shaky, public speaking experience, they welcomed us with open arms and insisted on helping in any way that they could.
After they were outfitted in the signature SWB Baby Blues, they got to work. A group of CPU girls and a handful of Penn State Women’s Soccer players set up a table at the 2009 Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest. They distributed information, helped spread the word about SWB, and worked on their juggling skills all the while. Special thanks to Penn State Women’s Soccer players Alyssa Naeher and Megan Gill and CPU players Eve Beaury, Ally Stubbs, Colby Sinclair, Megan Ritchie, Katie Wall, Rebecca Whitney, Mikala Hursh, Ginger Woolridge, and Theresa Ritzman for devoting their 4th of July afternoon to the cause.
An equally enthusiastic shout-out to Jill Garrigan for leading the equipment drive earlier that week. Thankfully, we have a pic that shows off the fruits of her labor.
As if all of this were not impressive enough, the girls most recently organized and held a Car Wash at the Advance Auto Parts on Atherton Street in State College. In only a few short (scorching) hours of scrubbing, hosing, and sign holding, the girls managed to raise $572 to be donated to our project in Granada. CPU players Mikala Hursh, Colby Sinclair, Katie Walsh, Brianna Bevan, Taylor Webster, Megan Ritchey, Morgan Rohrbach, Rebecca Whitney, and Ginger Woolridge generously contributed their unrivaled Car Washing skills and Saturday afternoons to make this fundraiser an incredible success. Eve Beaury led the back by contacting Advance Auto Parts and obtaining a permit. Thank you so much girls. Also, thank you to Gary Gotalt at Advance Auto Parts for agreeing to host the event and provide materials.
Keep checking back for news on CPU’s next endeavor. The team hopes to hold a 3v3 tournament in State College this fall to benefit Soccer Without Borders...keep your eyes peeled!
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