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The 51���� softball program recently raised more than $1,000 through a raffle and plans to donate the earnings to the Strecker Cancer Center’s Breast Health Fund.

The softball team chose to raise the money in honor of three local cancer survivors: Lisa Amrine, Vicki Ford, and Donna Venham — all of whom work or worked for 51���� and remain close to the softball program.

“We selected the Rawlings ‘Hope’ Breast Cancer Awareness glove for our raffle because it seemed like a great fit for our organization,” said Mackenzie Marshall ’19 (Sardis, Ohio), who plays third base. “We also knew that the glove would generate a lot of excitement within the community! The younger girls on our team did an amazing job selling tickets for the raffle during our games.”

The Hope Glove is a specially designed pink and gray glove promoting awareness of breast cancer. It has a breast cancer awareness ribbon embroidered on the side along with the word “Hope.” The team will present its donation to Strecker and the Memorial Health Foundation during the team’s Strike Out Cancer game on Saturday, April 27. At that game, the team will be wearing lime green to raise awareness of lymphoma.

“This donation will go toward the cost of mammograms, biopsies, readings of screenings and other breast health diagnosis of diseases and prevention,” said Daneka Hedges, Executive Director of the Memorial Health Foundation. “Every dollar helps. The fund is utilized many times a year — sometimes it’s depleted — so we are thankful to have money available for this fund.”

Second baseman Reagan Tom ’19 (Chandlersville, Ohio) said she hasn’t experienced breast cancer in her own family, but certainly through friends’ families. She said it’s important for her to give back to the Marietta community.

“I’m a senior and I’ve considered this my home for the past four years,” she said. “It means so much to give back to the community that gave me so much.”

The winner of the Hope Glove was Christine Hamilton of Woodsfield.