Over the last month, the Worcester State College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) organized and held a successful drive at four athletics events to raise money and collect items for Sherry's House and WHY ME, a local organization that helps provide support for children and their families in their fight against cancer.
On October 31, November 4, November 7 and at the Worcester City Tournament (Nov. 20-21), a donation box was set up to gather non-perishable food items, household and cleaning supplies and personal toiletry items to be donated to the organization. At the Westfield State-Worcester State football game on Nov 7, 50 percent of the gate also went to help the cause as part of a monetary contribution to Sherry's House. A box was also set up inside the Athletics Department Office to help accumulate items for the drive.
"We were extremely excited about the amount of success that we had, most notably with our fans and parents who brought us their donations," said SAAC Coordinator John Meany. "Hopefully this is a relationship that we can continue to build on with Sherry's house."
In total, nine boxes of items to Sherry's House on November 24 by the members of SAAC, who then received a tour of the facility. The money that has been received from donations will go towards funding a video camera to record events at the house and to various gift cards to local dining establishments.
About Sherry's House/WHY ME - The WHY ME organization was created by 13-year old Sherry Shepard, while she was battling cancer for four years. WHY ME stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting. Sherry was an inspiring young lady who was determined to help other children with cancer. WHY ME, a non-profit organization was founded with the help of her father. Today, Sherry's House provides emotional, social and financial support to help families successfully fight childhood cancer. It is a place where families whose child is receiving cancer treatment in Massachusetts can stay. More than 465 families have been served by WHY ME.