How State College girls soccer stepped ‘out beyond the soccer field’ to raise $10,138 for Good Day Cafe
What started as an idea from a few seniors and grew into a season-long fundraising campaign culminated Oct. 21 with a $10,138 check to Good Day Cafe.
With the rain pouring down, State College girls soccer made a pledge to Good Day Cafe prior to its match against Central Dauphin at the North Field. Matt Porter, who is an employee at the cafe, did the coin toss and another employee, Brooke Fisher, sang the National Anthem. Good Day Cafe is a coffee shop in State College that employs adults with disabilities.
“I was kind of stunned at that number,” said Cindy Paquinelli, chief executive officer of Strawberry Fields Inc. “These girls just raised over $10,000 for Good Day Cafe and they’re probably our youngest donors. I think that’s so special that these kids feel that way about their community. So, it’s overwhelming — that’s a lot of money. I think it’s so wonderful that the school, the coach, the parents are instilling in these kids at an early age that when you live in a community, we take care of each other. This soccer team — we’re the third or fourth charity that they’ve done [this with]. I feel very honored the Strawberry Fields and Good Day Cafe.”
Located at 286 W. Hamilton Ave., Good Day Cafe was developed by Strawberry Fields Inc. in response to the 80% unemployment rate for adults with special needs. The cafe sells tea, coffee, espresso, breakfast and lunch items, while supporting those with disabilities. But just like most small businesses, the cafe has experienced challenges over the past year and a half due to COVID-19, having to furlough staff members, who mostly fall into the high-risk category, for their safety.
According State College senior Emma Corby, the team connected with the work of Good Day Cafe and “their mission to empower individuals and enrich lives through meaningful employment,” making it an easy selection as the subject of this year’s “When Soccer Becomes Greater” campaign.
“We learned about Good Day Cafe through a parent who was connected to the organization,” Corby said. “We really loved that it’s a place where all abilities can contribute and belong to a community and where diversity is celebrated. We’ve just really connected with their mission ... so, it just made sense for our campaign.”
While the Little Lions weren’t able to earn the win over Central Dauphin, falling 9-1, their season has been defined by much more than wins and losses — learning how to work hard to accomplish their goals while helping others.
The girls worked throughout the year to raise money, selling green “When Soccer becomes Greater” wristbands for $2, collecting pledges and promoting the fundraiser every chance they got. Julia Lundy, mother of team members senior Kate Lundy and junior Grace Lundy, saw her daughters and their teammates put in the effort to build up the fundraiser piece-by-piece.
“The girls — they’ve done the fundraising, they’ve done the online posting, they’ve done sales at football games and promotional things at the school,” Lundy said. “So, it’s really run by all of the girls. It’s taken them above and beyond as far as looking out for other people, realizing that there are other communities out there that need service. They step out beyond the soccer field and realize that they can help other people.”
When Soccer Becomes Greater began when the 2021 State College girls soccer seniors were freshmen. The program is designed to keep the student-athletes engaged in community service by having them choose “an individual or organization to raise awareness, support, encouragement, and financial assistance” for each year, according to a press release.
The Little Lions have continued the mission of WSBG through each of their three campaigns. The team raised $8158.23 in 2018 for Centre Safe to help raise awareness and funds in the fight against domestic abuse and sexual violence. In 2019, they raised $24,180.29 to support a local family fighting pediatric cancer. COVID-19 caused the program to be put on pause last year, but the seniors continued to push to shape this year’s effort through planning and goal setting.
“It’s great to see them get involved,” State College head coach Todd Roth said. “We talk about what the whole concept is — When Soccer Becomes Greater. They’re fantastic soccer players and teammates and to see them give back to the community, to get involved and to care about something outside of our team — I couldn’t be more proud of the effort they’ve put into it.”
State College girls soccer heads to Bellefonte on Monday for District 6 Class 4A semifinal against Mifflin County at 5:30 p.m.
District 6 soccer playoff schedule for Centre County teams
Monday
3A boys semifinal: No. 2 Bellefonte vs. No. 3 Central Mountain at 7:30 p.m. at Bellefonte
3A girls semifinal: No. 3 Bellefonte vs. No. 2 Tyrone at 5:30 p.m. at Hollidaysburg
4A girls semifinal: No. 3 State College vs. No. 2 Mifflin County at 5:30 p.m. at Bellefonte
Tuesday
2A girls semifinal: No. 6 Bald Eagle Area vs. No. 7 Juniata at at 5:30 p.m. at Bald Eagle Area
Wednesday
Class 4A girls championship: State College/Mifflin County winner vs. No. 1 Altoona at 5:30 p.m. at Bald Eagle Area
Class 3A boys championship: Bellefonte/Central Mountain winner vs. No.1 Hollidaysburg/No. 4 Penn Cambria winner at 6 p.m. at Mansion Park
Class 4A boys championship: No. 1 State College vs. No. 2 Altoona at 7:30 p.m. at Bald Eagle Area
Class 3A girls championship: Bellefonte/Tyrone winner vs. No. 1 Hollidaysburg at 8 p.m. at Mansion Park
Thursday
Class 1A boys championship: No. 2 Saint Joseph’s vs. No. 1 West Shamokin at 6 p.m. at Mansion Park
Class 2A girls championship: BEA/Juniata winner vs. No. 1 Bedford/No. 4 Somerset winner at 8 p.m. at Mansion Park
This story was originally published October 30, 2021 at 2:36 PM.
