Pekin Community High School’s (PCHS) volleyball team hosted the annual Volley For the Cure event on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The event was a major success as PCHS set a new national record of funds raised, collecting more than $45,452. 

The purpose of Volley For the Cure is to raise money for the Susan G Komen Foundation in hopes of advancing breast cancer research, as well as spreading awareness about the cause. 

The PCHS volleyball team has a number of different fundraisers they do throughout the course of their season, such as selling T-shirts, fundraising nights at local restaurants, silent auctions, spirit items and of course, playing volleyball games. 

Pekin’s junior varsity coach, Priscilla Delaere, said that community involvement is most important to her. “I like engaging more of the community through the businesses, getting everyone to wear pink the day of the game, and showing support for our part in fighting against breast cancer. Making it a day to support Pekin Volleyball regardless of attending the game or not.” 

That evening, PCHS went head-to-head against the Metamora Redbirds for its main fundraising event. For the event, businesses, community members, and volleyball players put together raffle baskets for spectators to bid on throughout the evening. There was also a bake sale, a spirit table, a silent auction, and Coach Delaere’s favorite, Chuck the Duck. 

During the game itself, the Dragons put up a fight, but ended up falling to the Redbirds in 2 sets: 25-23, 25-15.

Senior Volleyball player Audrey Rivord shared her feelings on the evening. “I feel like I played well at Volley For the Cure, and so did our whole team. Winning would've been nice, but ultimately, we reached our goal within our team and for the Susan G Komen Foundation.“

The Dragons evolved from a team, into a family, one committed to fighting for a good cause. 

Rivord states, “ Outside of volleyball, I feel like our team does a good job of spreading breast cancer awareness. A lot of us have personal stories with it, so it means a lot to us to go out and get people to come and support us.”

Pekin’s Volley for the Cure started in 2008, and has only grown since then. This event has shown a sense of leadership that the coaches, as well as these young girls take when fighting for a good cause. It has also unified this community, giving everyone something to look forward to each year. The level of commitment and dedication the town of Pekin gives does not go unnoticed.