BC High Soccer Continues Support for the Ellie Fund in Big Way This Past Fall

Since 2015, the BC High Soccer team has been in partnership with the Ellie Fund, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to breast cancer patients residing in and/or receiving treatment in Massachusetts. During that span, the coaching staff and players have spearheaded fundraising efforts through word of mouth, social media, and in the BC High community through the Mite Box collection, to raise a total of $18,657.26. This fall alone, the program raised $5,589.

Head Coach Billy Ryan ’77 on how the partnership started and how the soccer program has raised money for the Ellie Fund:
“As part of our Team Goals that season (2015), we talked about assisting a non-profit agency as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of our players Aunt’s was in Recovery and forwarded me the information on the Ellie Fund. We met with the Captains & their Parents and the ideas to support the Ellie Fund were phenomenal. The Parents organized and started selling baked goods and coffee at our Home Games. We did 50/50 Raffles and then approached Father Perry on seeing if we could use the Mite Box Collection to raise Awareness & additional Funds for the charity. The players have championed the Mite Box Collection every year.

The team also wanted to wear pink at all of our home games in October as part of the campaign. In the beginning, we wore pink socks only, but in talking to Athletic Director Jon Bartlett about the importance of the campaign, we were able to add pink jerseys to go along with the socks. We are so grateful and thankful for all of the efforts put in by our players and their parents, especially their Mom’s, in making October at BC High a very special experience on & off the soccer field.”

Kellie O’Brien, Development and Fundraising Assistant at the Ellie Fund:
“The partnership between the soccer team and the Ellie Fund is unlike any other. Every year I am amazed at what these men at their age are able to accomplish. High School is a time where it can be very chaotic and busy, but these young men are still taking time out of their lives to spread the Ellie Fund message and raise money for women, men, and families that they will never meet.”

These boys are covering the cost for a family’s meals. allowing them to buy healthy and nutritious meals for their kids, and making sure that patients CAN go to their appointments. This is more than just fundraising; they are truly bettering lives and allowing for these patients to heal and fight. We could not be more grateful to all of the boys, alumni and coaches!”

Amidst a pandemic, the soccer program was able to raise their highest single season donation this Fall. An impressive accomplishment for the players, staff, and all the alumni, family, and friends of the program who donated.
To learn more about the Ellie Fund and to make a donation please visit: Ellie Fund