The possibilities for a group to raise money for a charity are endless. From chili cook-offs to car washes, there are infinite ways to fundraise. The Washington Township High School Student Council chose a dodgeball tournament as its annual fundraiser.
“The dodgeball tournament is 13 to 14 years old, it was started before I was student council advisor,” Shannon Molloy said. “Student council does a bunch of different events. We do homecoming, Mr. WT, schoolwide things trying to get all grade levels to participate. We decided to do a dodgeball competition for all grade levels to participate.”
Because the student council is sanctioned with the New Jersey Association of Student Councils, it has to fundraise for the state charity. This year, the charity is “One Simple Wish,” which grants wishes to children who are impacted by abuse, neglect and trauma that can be associated with the foster care system.
“This is our big fundraiser,” Molloy said.
Thirteen dodgeball teams competed in the tournament on March 20. Each team had eight members who paid $5 per person, making the team fee $40. The teams were encouraged to wear fun, matching uniforms.
Molloy said they try to generate $1,000 for the state charity every year through the dodgeball tournament and scattered events throughout the year. She said the dodgeball tournament usually nets them $500 but it has been as high as $700 in some instances. This year was unique because the Washington Township Police Department was a part of the tournament. It donated $100 for the student council to put toward the state charity.
The dodgeball tournament is a big crowd pleaser for students.
“The dodgeball tournament is one of my favorite events because it’s super laid back and chill,” she said. “Everyone has fun, everyone goes all-out. No one cares if they look funny throwing the balls. Everyone has so much fun.”
The dodgeball tournament had two emcees. Sophomores Julia DeCosta and Syndey Mitchell were elected to emcee after having to do a mad-lib style reading.
“I like how it gets the whole school involved and you can see the friend groups come together,” DeCosta said.
“I really like the organizations we do it for,” Mitchell said of the charity they are supporting.
While raising money for One Simple Wish was the goal, Wawa gift cards were awarded to the winner of the tournament – the team decked out in various sports jerseys ranging from North Carolina basketball to Milwaukee Brewers and everything in between.
Fundraising while having fun is something the student council hangs its hat on. Student council vice president Jess Hatch said this is one of the most fun events at Washington Township High School.
“I love the dodgeball tournament because it’s really fun to get other people involved that might not be in student or class council,” she said. “It brings in a diverse group of people to come and have fun at a school event. It’s fun because it’s dodgeball. Everyone loves playing dodgeball.”
