Faculty volleyball tournament supports Relay For Life

Hundreds came out to watch the Oceanside School District’s administrators, teachers and staff compete on the volleyball court during a Relay For Life fundraiser at the high school on May 12.

Because the school district will be running Relay For Life this year — to be held at the Oceanside High School track on June 3 — the schools were encouraged to come up with fundraisers to support the popular event.

School No. 4 teachers Christine Dinolfo and Danielle Guerra dreamed up the volleyball tournament, which featured a team from each of the district’s seven elementary schools, and a squad made up of administrators, according to fellow organizer Joanna Kletter.

“I think everyone was overwhelmed by just how exciting and how supportive the whole community was,” Kletter said. “Being the smallest school in the district, I think the teachers felt a huge sense of pride and accomplishment…and we all had a lot of fun.”

More than 700 people packed the gym during the sold-out event, which featured a photo booth, tattoo station, manicure table and a 50/50 raffle, Kletter said. It raised roughly $6,000, she added, which will all go toward Relay for Life in Oceanside.

“We all had a lot of fun, and we’re just very proud and very excited and grateful,” Kletter said. “Cancer has hit so many lives that we all feel good about being able to give so much money to Relay For Life.”