The Ponies football program has made a tradition of hosting their Tackle Cancer game at Homecoming. While Homecoming took place three weeks ago, we finally compiled all of the Tackle Cancer funds to be sent off to the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund.

Stillwater area players, students, staff, families, and spectators raised $15,001.39 for Tackle Cancer! While our effort has increased every year, we nearly doubled the amount raised during last year’s effort and produced a 15-fold increase from Stillwater’s first year of participation in 2012.

“We have focused on improving each year,” said Ponies Tackle Cancer Chair and Ponies Touchdown Vice President Deb Simcik. “Part of that effort has been challenging our players and students to continue the great work they have done. However, we have also been intentional about including each of our district schools and our St. Croix Valley Athletic Association football players (2nd through 8th grade).”

The initiative kicked off with volunteers bagging groceries and collecting donations at the Stillwater Cub Foods, which was the All American Game Sponsor for Homecoming. “What a wonderful event to allow our community to help the program make a difference fighting cancer,” said Ashley LaBore, who volunteered. “It was encouraging to see our community’s generosity.”

During Homecoming week, students from throughout the Stillwater Area School District created, hosted, and participated in a variety of Tackle Cancer events, including the selling of wrist bands, a donation competition at each junior high and the high school, and donations for either participating in or watching the annual Junior versus Senior girls football game. Volunteers also accepted donations in front of the Stillwater Motors’ pink Chevrolet pickup at the Homecoming game.

In the six years of participating in the Tackle Cancer effort, Stillwater has contributed over $39,467.39 to the charitable Shaver Cancer Fund. The Fund has a mission of supporting cancer research projects and programs to improve the lives of those fighting through a cancer diagnosis right here in Minnesota.

In total, close to 200 Minnesota high schools, colleges, universities, and the Minnesota Vikings football programs will participate in the Tackle Cancer fundraising program this fall. Tackle Cancer is a joint effort of the Shaver organization and the Minnesota Football Coaches Association. Coach Beau LaBore is a member of the Tackle Cancer Board of Directors.

“An effort like this doesn't happen without the help of a lot of volunteers who deeply care about the cause and showing what our community can do,” said LaBore. “We got great responses from our schools, our VAA coaches led by Jeff Strong, and our tireless committee chair Deb Simcik of the Ponies Touchdown Club.”

In the end, the result is a great accomplishment but the program hopes the process sticks with the students and players. We believe that football is more than just a game, and serving others is one of many values we want our players to practice.