Hit hard by budget cuts, the Bonita High School volleyball program showed a way to spike tough economic times by holding an all-day volleyball fest and fundraiser at Lowell Brandt Park in North La Verne on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Several local businesses donated gifts and prizes that parents, supporters and friends of the program tried to win by purchasing raffle tickets. Meanwhile, event organizers mixed and balanced the various teams so that each squad carried the same number of varsity, junior varsity and freshman players.
The varsity and more senior girls had the opportunity to play with and mentor the younger girls, helping build more team unity for the popular program.
The players werenât the only ones to bond on a bright sunny day at the Lowell Brandt sand volleyball pit.
âIt was a great bonding experience for the parents,â said Mike Albo, one of the eventâs leaders. âWe all travel together, we all sit in the same stands and we all cheer for the same kids, so it was a way for parents and friends to get to know one another better before the season gets too far along.â
In the past, the Bonita volleyball program had relied in large part on revenues produced by working the concession stand at Club West in La Verne. When a professional vendor took over that concession, the Bonita program was forced to develop other fundraising alternatives. It takes about $25,000 a year to run the BHS volleyball program.
Albo estimated the BHS sun-and-sand event attracted about 150 people, enough, he thinks, to make the fundraiser an annual event.
Event sponsors included Vons, Merle Norman, Red Devil Pizza, Pizza Barn, Nestle, Dippinâ Dots, Pomona Valley Mining Co., Sweet Basil Pizza and other local businesses.
âI think you saw the girls show their skills and showcase what Bonita volleyball is all about,â Albo said.
At the end of the day, the girls were exhausted, but the program was a little richer for the experience.
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