Shoreham-Wading River: Girls volleyball team raises over $3k for breast cancer services

Diane Marie wrote this week with the results of the pumpkin- and vegetable-carving/decorating contest at the Riverhead Country Fair. “The weather was nice and there was a good turnout of contestants,” she said. “It never ceases to amaze me how creative people can get with pumpkins and vegetables.”

Katie Dunn of Wading River took Best of Show for vegetables. Other local winners (all from Wading River) for decorated pumpkins are (by age category): Aidan Tobin, third place, ages 5-6; Ciara Tobin, second place, ages 9-10; Renee Dunn, second place, 14-18; and Lisa Fritz, third place in the adult category. Congratulations to all our carvers and decorators who are both clever and creative.

Speaking of fun fall places, happy birthday to Kathi Gentile of Wading River, known as “Mama Fink” of Fink’s Farm. I don’t know anyone who is as hard-working and good as you, Kathi. Hope Oct. 18 is really special this year.

What do ‘Rocky,’ “The Lord of the Rings” and “Star Wars” all have in common? The answer is: They all have strong characters that deserve sequels. In keeping with that idea, the Shoreham-Wading River girls volleyball team, which raised $1,000 at a car wash last week at Advance Auto Parts in Rocky Point, then raised over $3,000 for breast cancer services at their Oct. 13 Dig Pink volleyball game at Shoreham-Wading River High School. Pink ribbons, balloons and streamers lined the gymnasium walls to welcome the crowd, along with signs reading, “Support the Fighters, Admire the Survivors and Honor the Taken” as the SWR Lady Wildcats faced Babylon.

Partway through the third game, SWR Coach Winkler announced that Emma Houlihan had just scored her 600th “kill” point in her SWR volleyball career, a record that will undoubtedly go down in SWR history. SWR defeated Babylon in three games, 25-12, 25-13, 25-15. All of the money raised goes to the “Side Out Foundation,” a volleyball organization that raises money for breast cancer awareness.

‘Coach Winkler and Metcalf, along with the varsity and JV volleyball teams, did an amazing job getting donations, selling baked goods and having raffles all to raise money,” said team member Michelle Mallardi. Michelle wants to thank the community and everyone who contributed with helping to raise money. The community applauds the effort of the teams and wishes them the best as they continue down the path of this exciting and most successful volleyball season. “May the force continue to be with you.”

Enjoy the fall festivities and the feeling of helping someone in need. Be well until we meet here again next week.