Members of Girls Varsity Hockey host a fundraiser in Paresky Commons for American Cancer Society
During the week of February 5, Girls Hockey members hosted a raffle ticket fundraiser in the lobby of Paresky Commons. With prizes including gift baskets, gift cards, and speakers, the proceeds from the energetic, upbeat venue will be put towards supporting research in the American Cancer Society.
Head Coach Martha Fenton provided insight into the logistics of the fundraiser. She acknowledged the team’s continuing partnership with Andover’s Relay for Life club and noted that the funds will be handed over to them.
“We do [the fundraiser] in conjunction with Relay for Life, which is the school’s ‘Andover Fights Cancer’ campaign. Last year we took the funds raised from this event and put it towards the Girls Varsity Hockey contribution to [the] Relay for Life event that happens in the spring. That’s the same thing that we’ll do this year. For us, it’s an event that we hope to be able to do each year to generate funds to put towards Andover’s donation to the American Cancer Society,” said Fenton.
Fenton also expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed and made the fundraiser possible. She stated that it’s with the donors’ support that the fundraiser has been able to find the amount of success that it has so far.
“We’ve raised a little over four thousand dollars. It’s with incredible gratitude to parents and others who donated raffle items and who helped set everything up and helped run it. And the Relay for Life kids [who] helped man the tables. It’s definitely a partnership [that] we’re really proud of,” said Fenton.
Sarah Powers ’26, a member of the Girls Hockey team, acknowledged how the fundraiser has been important for team building. She also noted how the fundraiser extends farther than the game of hockey.
“[Through the fundraiser,] we realized that hockey is just a game. I think that everybody realized that as a team we aren’t just playing hockey, and we’re doing stuff outside such as [raising money for] cancer research. We all came together as a group to raise money, and everyone realized that [there’s] other things more important than the game,” said Powers.
Powers also elaborated on the history of the fundraiser, recalling that the young tradition was born with last year’s captains. She also noted how she hopes that the tradition will continue in the future.
“Last year our captains came up with the idea and…everyone loved it. So, the next year, which is this year, we just did it again. I think that it’s just so much fun because I think getting everybody going and singing songs was super fun. Raising money for cancer research was just amazing and I think it’s a great legacy that we started,” said Powers.
Will Ware ’26, a board member of Relay for Life, was able to provide some insight into the overall goal of the program and the fundraiser. One thing he noted was how an important part of the program’s mission is not only to raise money but to also spread awareness.
“Relay for Life is an organization to spread awareness about cancer and raise money for [the] American Cancer Society. I think it’s important [that] these events and fundraisers [are] fun, and you want to raise as much money as possible, but [it’s also]to share stories and raise awareness,” said Ware.
Corinne Spade ’27, another member of the GVH team, also spoke about the excitement surrounding the fundraiser and how the event played a significant role in improving the team’s dynamics and affecting the Andover community.
“[The event] is really fun to do with a team, especially when there’s a lot of energy surrounding the game. When you’re selling tickets… it’s for a good cause, [and] I feel like [events like this] bring the team together when you’re working together for one cause,” said Spade.
Ainsley Muldoon ’26 was one student who purchased raffle tickets for the fundraiser. As a returning student, she was able to compare this year’s fundraiser to last year’s, and highlighted some of her favorite memories.
“Compared to last year, I thought they definitely stepped it up. There were…double the prizes and definitely higher value. It was fun when the names were called to see if people got excited about winning and about other people winning. At the end of the day it didn’t really matter if you won or not because it was for a good cause, and to see people happy together was nice,” said Muldoon.
Coach Fenton also emphasized the impact that the girls have had on the Andover community due to being a part of the Girls Hockey team. She shared that by being on the team, the girls have an impactful role of influence on the community, and she urges them to use their position for the greater good.
“[Events such as these] just show how when you have a platform like being on a team and being a part of a community like this, and you’re able to use it towards a greater good, it can be really powerful. I think that’s an amazing lesson for not only our team but also Andover as a community. It’s great for us as a team, and it’s great for team bonding, but I think even better it’s good for us as a community, and to sort of put our non sibi motto into effect,” said Fenton.
