Relay for Life scores alongside the Highlanders

Homestead’s Relay for Life committee hosted its annual Coaches vs. Cancer basketball game on Dec. 5 to raise awareness and funds for the annual Relay for Life walk to be held in February. Homestead’s Relay for Life is one walk of the thousands nationwide to boost funds for cancer research.

This year’s chairs of the committee Maddie Fricker and Brock Pasternak, seniors, had high hopes for the game. “This game is especially important because it’s the kick-off to our fundraising efforts. This year we hope to raise over $33,000, and tonight will be a good start to that goal,” Fricker shared. After the donations were totaled, the fundraiser brought in a total of $639.12.

An aspect of the night’s fundraising was a mini-event during half-time, “Chuck-A-Duck.” Participants purchased a rubber duck for $5 and waited until they were called onto the sidelines during half-time. Participants threw their ducks in an attempt to land it near an “X” marked at half court.

The owner of the duck landing closest to the “X” would receive half of the money collected, but in true charitable form, the winner chose to donate his winnings back to Relay for Life. Fellow competitor Cooper McKenna, 10, commented, “I’m really happy that he donated all the money he got. I thought that was very nice.” Many kids, including Homestead Principal Brett Bowers’ two sons as wells as other faculty members’ children and community children participated in the fun event.

Another important aspect of the night was to bring awareness to the cause and the event itself. Committee member Benjamin Gust, senior, reminded students, “Tonight we wanted to have a big crowd to spread awareness of the event and try to get kids thinking about it because it’s a lot earlier this year. We kind of need to kick into gear a little bit earlier than we normally would. So tonight was not only about the fundraising but also about getting the student body in the Relay state of mind.”

Of equal importance is the support of the basketball team and coaches in the fundraising efforts of the night. Mr. Kevin McKenna, head boys basketball coach, said, “As a coach, I think we have to teach our players and students that community is important and what we have to do for them.”

The boys hockey team will also host a similar fundraising night for Relay for Life later in the season.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Emma Zander

Purple buckets were used to collect money at half-time during the "87- second drill." Spectators were asked to give generously throughout the game. "I joined Relay for Life because recently, this spring, my grandma was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. I have witnessed and am still experiencing the horrendous feelings cancer brings. My grandma was only supposed to live a couple of months and now it's been nine months due to trials of new medication. I feel it's my duty to help fight cancer for my grandma and others with the great opportunity of Relay for Life," committee member Johnny Erpenbeck, sophomore, stated.