W-F team supports families, foundation
By Angie Landsverk
Three families and a local hospital foundation are the recipients of funds raised by the Weyauwega-Fremont High School girls’ basketball team.
The team raised $1,656 during its Sink Pink Night.
Of that amount, $900 was split by three local families, said Rylee Bartel.
It was her idea to hold the Sink Pink Night.
“We have some teammates whose families are going through this right now,” she said.
Bartel wanted to help them and also support a local foundation.
The rest of the funds raised were donated to ThedaCare Foundation-Waupaca.
With team members and her coach gathered around her, Bartel presented the $756 donation to the foundation on March 27, in the high school commons.
“What you’re doing is really going to help a lot of people. Thank you very much,” said Stephen Johnson, vice chair of ThedaCare Foundation-Waupaca’s Board of Trustees.
The donation is going into the foundation’s Cancer Care Fund, said Megan Schuessler.
She is the ThedaCare Family of Foundations regional development director.
The fund helps patients with ancillary services not covered by insurance, Schuessler said.
For example, the Cancer Care Fund may help patients obtain wigs.
It is also used to help the caregivers, she said.
Dogs may be brought into homes for pet therapy, with massage therapy offered as well, Schuessler said.
Bartel, a W-F High School senior, spent about a month planning the Sink Pink Night.
She designed the T-shirt, which was sold prior to the February game to raise money.
The fundraiser also included basket raffles.
The basketball game was against Shiocton High School, and its team and coaching staff participated in the fundraiser as well.
Joe Titus is the head coach of W-F’s team.
“It’s just a great group of kids. Everything Rylee did sets her apart,” he said.
Titus said she is an example of the “kids we want to have in the program.”
Having three families affected by cancer brought challenges to the team.
He said they learned a lot off the basketball court.
“We’re just incredibly appreciative of what the team did,” Johnson said. “I hope that they realize the impact that they will have on many people through their contribution.”