Oskaloosa Youth Football League Raises Fund for Mahaska Health Cancer Care & Infusion Center Light the Night

Oskaloosa Youth Football League Raises Fund for Mahaska Health Cancer Care & Infusion Center Light the Night (submitted photo)

MAHASKA COUNTY-The Youth Sports Foundation (YSF), which the Oskaloosa Youth Football League is a part of, encouraged the individual leagues to hold a cancer awareness event. They had the option of sending the funds raised to the YSF or to donate to a local charity. The parents and kids were all in agreement to keep the funds local.

According to Holly Padgett, Football League Coordinator, this will be the third year that the league has raised money and kept it local. The first year, pink stocking hats were made with the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont School logo on them and given to the Mahaska Health Cancer Care and Infusion Center (CCIC). Last year the donation purchased new end tables for the CCIC suite. This year, funds will go to the Light the Night fundraiser for the expansion and remodel of the CCIC.

Padgett shared the history of the fundraiser and the story behind the colored socks game. “So many of the athletes on the team have been affected by cancer. The colorful sock idea came about as something the kids could do to take a part and show respect to those that were close to them and have fought cancer,” Padgett says. She went on to explain that the game was played on the old Vennard College football field vs a tough New Sharon 5th and 6th grade team. “Family and friends of the Oskaloosa and New Sharon teams were especially generous this year,” she shared. “The total raised from the game was $324, which is just above last year’s total.”

Light the Night committee member, Sharron Croskrey explained the importance of this donation and Light the Night fundraiser. “When Oncologist, Dr. Bradley Hiatt provides patient care in the CCIC on Thursdays, we typically see 35 to 40 patients,” shared Croskrey. “Treatments can take three to four hours or more per patient. When all our infusion chairs are full, space can be a little tight. With these donations, we will be able to make the workflow more conducive in this space, add another bathroom, and purchase new patient care equipment.”

Jessi Nunnikhoven is one of the three nurses on the CCIC team. Together with Sally Blake and Sandy Long, they know the importance of providing compassionate care in a safe, calming area.

Padgett knows first-hand about the compassionate and caring service provided at the CCIC. “This team provides such a wonderful service in the community,” she says. “I didn’t know about the CCIC and all the services they provide until my dad received treatment there for his cancer. I just didn’t realize the incredible service that is provided right here in our community.”