By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/4/16
The Interboro boys’ and girls’ teams are the first Phillylacrosse.com “Win-Win Community Fundraiser Teams of the Week” through a special program that raises money for the squads and local businesses as well as a local lacrosse charity.
The Interboro boys’ and girls’ teams are the first Phillylacrosse.com “Win-Win Community Fundraiser Teams of the Week”- Pictured here at the HEADstrong Foundation’s headquarters in Nick’s House, from left, are girls’ assistant coach Janet Palermo, head coach Stephanie D’Alonzo, HEADstrong President Cheryl Colleluori, senior Moriah Marr, sophomore Sam Shemeluk, sophomore Sophia Harley, sophomore Connor Evans, head coach Tom Speer, sophomore Joshua Quattrone, Phillylacrosse.com Owner/editor Chris Goldberg and HEADstrong Vice President Michael Collelupori
The Bucs sold discount cards that are customized and provide year-long discounts to local businesses chosen by the teams. After the sales, the teams and Phillylacrosse.com choose an area lacrosse charity to receive a portion of the profits.
The benefactor this time was the HEADstrong Foundation, which is based in Holmes at Nick’s House, just a half mile from Interboro High School. On Thursday boys’ coach Tom Speer and girls’ coach Stephanie D’Alonzo brought their top salespersons for a meeting with HEADstrong Foundation President Cheryl Colleluori and Vice President Michael Colleluori and a tour of the facility.
Mrs. Colleluori spoke about the current family staying at Nick’s House and a 17-year-old blood cancer patient from Allentown recovering from a bone marrow transplant at CHOP after a failed remission. She described his incredible strength despite the tremendous challenges he’s faced.
“I can easily see how much (HEADstrong) does to support people by reaching out to families in need,” said Interboro 2019 Connor Evans. “This makes me realize how much people take for granted and how many people can’t do this (play lacrosse). It should be an honor to go out and put on a jersey every day.”
Joshua Quattrone, another 2019, was the top salesperson – selling an amazing 25 cards.
“I knocked on a couple doors and told them what it was for and I got the card sold to pretty much every door I walked in,” he said. “I told them they were all local businesses around the area. It was a good idea to do and good for fundraising. It was nice for the school to hep out the businesses.”
Interboro boys’ coach Tom Speer said the fundraising project had many benefits. “Giving back to different charities … giving back to the community … building the game … building the program … it gives awareness for everything happening at HEADstrong and the fight against cancer.”
Moriah Marr, a senior on the girls’ team who is hoping to attend the Naval Academy, enjoyed selling discount cards to help local business and seeing how the donation can impact many others in need
“I liked selling the cards because they promote the businesses in the community,” she said. “I did not know a lot about HEADstrong, but in the few minutes I have been here I think it’s wonderful. It’s absolutely amazing and very inspirational.
“It makes me want to go out and help people!”
“I didn’t know much about HEADstrong, but I knew they they dealt with lacrosse,” added 2019 Sophia Harley. “I learned a lot more about who they dealt with and what they do here. It’s cool to see that there is a place here open to anyone who needs help. If I get to donate, this is where I will go.”
Sam Shemeluk, another sophomore, said she learned about HEADstrong during a presentation when she was a middle school student at Prospect Park School. But getting to see Nick’s House up close was special.
“I knew basically the whole story because back in health class they came in and explained what they do,” she said. “I didn’t know they had an apartment upstairs to house people being treated.
“It made it all real really cool. I think selling the cards felt really good; to do something for the team and to do something good for someone else.”
Interboro first-year coach Steph D’Alonzo was thrilled to have her team get involved in the fundraising project.
“It is a win-win experience,” she said “We were able to raise money for our team, but also give back to a local community program like HEADstrong. You can’t beat that!
“It’s nice to be here and see what they do every day, and get the chance to see the apartment and see the handprint of what they do. I wish we could give more, it makes you want to keep doing good things!”
To get more information about the “Win-Win Community Fundraiser Team of the Week” and begin your fiundraising project, e-mail us at golax@phillylacrosse.com