St. Joseph's Academy Volleyball Raises $11,000

The annual Sparkle of Love game generated funds for pediatric brain tumor research and breast cancer treatment.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two volleyball players in motion mid-air, capturing the competitive intensity of a charity match.
The St. Joseph's Academy volleyball team raised over $11,000 for pediatric brain tumor and breast cancer research during its Sparkle of Love game. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support school-led athletic events as a primary method for raising money for medical research?

The St. Joseph's Academy volleyball team raised over $11,000 for charity during its second annual Sparkle of Love game. The event supported Nora's Sparkle of Love Project and The Side-Out Foundation.

Why it matters

The funds will benefit critical research into pediatric brain tumors and metastatic breast cancer. This initiative connects local high school sports with regional and national health research efforts.

The athletic event raised a total of $11,000 for research initiatives through community-driven fundraising. Incarnate Word Academy secured the match victory in three sets, finishing with scores of 25-18, 25-7, and 25-19.

The players

St. Joseph's Academy

This is a private Catholic college preparatory school located in St. Louis that hosts various academic and athletic programs.

Incarnate Word Academy

This is a private, Catholic, all-girls college preparatory high school that competes in regional athletic leagues.

The Side-Out Foundation

This organization leverages the sport of volleyball to raise funds and awareness for metastatic breast cancer research and patient support.

The details

Students and volunteers utilized pregame tee shirt sales, raffle baskets, and 50/50 drawings to accumulate donations. The event concluded with a competitive match against Incarnate Word Academy, which took place at St. Joseph's Academy.

Timeline

  1. October 20, 2026

Market Landscape

This year's event marks the second annual iteration of the Sparkle of Love game, establishing a consistent charitable tradition for the institution. The growth of this program positions the school's athletic department alongside larger community fundraising efforts in the region.

Residents and supporters of local high school athletics can participate in these events through donations or by attending future matches. These contributions directly impact the funding available for regional medical research initiatives.

The takeaway

Community-led sports events serve as a significant engine for raising money for specialized medical nonprofits. Organizing small-scale fundraising activities like raffle baskets and tee shirt sales can yield substantial financial support for research causes.

Further reading

Learn more about local charitable efforts in the Philanthropy section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by West Newsmagazine.

Live Poll

Do you support school-led athletic events as a primary method for raising money for medical research?