In order to raise money for the Eliminate Project, West Chester University’s Circle K will host its seventh annual volleyball tournament on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in the Hollinger Field House.
Kiwanis International and UNICEF partnered together to create the initiative known as the Eliminate Project in 2010. The goal of the Eliminate Project is to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). [pullquote align=”right”]Last year…we were able to raise $1,000 for the Eliminate Project. It was really rewarding to see Circle K’s hard work pay off.[/pullquote]
The Eliminate Project website describes MNT as a “deadly disease that steals the lives of nearly 60,000 babies and a significant number of women each year” and that it has excruciating effects in which “tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and extreme sensitive to light and touch.”
According to the Eliminate Project’s Facebook page, they have raised $74,995,155 as of Jan. 25. This will help protect over 41 million and their future babies from MNT.
The Eliminate Project website states that more than 100 million mothers and their future babies need to be immunized to achieve their goal. The website explains that “this requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more,” which will take a total of $110 million. All proceeds from the volleyball tournament will be donated to this cause.
According to Circle K Vice President Theresa Kelly, her favorite part of the tournament is “how tangible the charity is.”
“There’s something really special about playing volleyball for an afternoon and knowing that you’re saving babies’ lives,” said Kelly. “In the 21st century, it’s really a shame that mothers and children are still dying of such a curable disease. For $1.80, you can literally change someone’s life.”
Circle K Editor Stephanie Frasca hopes that this year’s tournament is just as profitable as it was the year prior.
“Last year, the event was a success. We were able to raise $1,000 for the Eliminate Project,” said Frasca. “It was really rewarding to see Circle K’s hard work pay off.”
The members of Circle K began preparing in December by breaking into different committees. The committees were comprised of public relations, entertainment, teams and registration, service projects, and fundraising.
While the public relations committee handled duties like designing the T-shirt and flyer, other members concentrated on tasks such as going to local businesses to secure raffle items or donations.
One such member is freshman Alyssa Thomas, who is enjoying her first year being involved with the tournament.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how many people come out for the cause,” said Thomas.
There will be food, a DJ, raffles, and various in-service projects throughout the tournament.
So far, the raffles include a $50 Wegmans gift card, $25 Más gift card, and a Kiwi gift card. There will also be a canned food drive, and for every can of food you donate, you will receive one raffle ticket.
According to Circle K President Amanda Sloan, some of the service projects are making art kids for hospitalized children and non-slip socks for people in nursing homes.
The games will be single elimination bracket style, and each game will run for about 20 minutes. Circle K accepts a maximum of 24 teams. There can be six to eight people per team, and the cost is $5 per person.
Those who registered by Feb. 5 are guaranteed a free t-shirt, and for those who sign up after this date, T-shirts are on a first come, first serve basis.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, Feb. 17. Registration tables will be located in Sykes Student Union on Feb. 10 and Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as Feb. 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The registration form can be found at http://tinyurl.com/p3yfl2j. Participants do not need to be students at West Chester University to compete in the tournament.
If students have questions about the registration form, they can email Noelle DiBlasi at ND765590@wcupa.edu or Sarah Walker at SW781588@wcupa.edu.
Casey Tobias is a first-year student majoring in women’s and gender studies. She can be reached at CT822683@wcupa.edu.