Play for Pink created meaning well beyond wearing pink ribbons and uniforms.
During the month of October, sports teams commonly wear pink promoting breast cancer awareness. This year, the Ridgefield High School Field Hockey athletes wore pink and took action.
The RHS athletes continued their efforts to raise money during the October 'Play for Pink' game, but added a volunteer day and truly raised awareness. They connected with their beneficiary organization's founder, Ridgefielder Maureen Lutz, to learn more about the non-profit she started after her own mastectomy surgery.
In 2005, Maureen Lutz created Necessities Bag to assist women preparing for mastectomy surgery by providing information and recovery supplies - all free of charge. To date, she has supplied over 25,000 bags to women across the United States.
The field hockey teams enjoyed the privilege of learning from Mrs. Lutz as she shared her breast cancer journey with the athletes. Next, each athlete packed a Necessities Bag and included a note of encouragement to the recipient.
An added benefit to Volunteer Day, the field hockey players invited Mrs. Lutz to attend their Play for Pink game as an honorary team member. Ridgefield residents for over 20 years, Mrs. Lutz and her husband visited Tiger Hollow for their first time to watch the Tigers play. Mrs. Lutz proudly wore her pink Tiger jersey, cheered from the stands and was greeted with hugs from the athletes.
The support of several Ridgefield businesses combined with the efforts of the field hockey program raised funding to provide 39 Necessities Bags and established new relationships.
Play for Pink raised awareness for both the Necessities Bag organization and breast cancer prevention. These collective results created wins on and off the field!