WNCC softball team presents $350 check to Team Ashtyn Foundation

            The Western Nebraska Community College softball team gave back to the community on Tuesday in presenting the Team Ashtyn Foundation with a $350 check from a fund-raising campaign the team did during the basketball season.

            The Cougar softball team held halftime shoots during halftime of selected basketball games where spectators could pay a dollar to try to make a free throw. Individuals who made the shot received a Cougar item, while all others received a coupon for a percentage off of Cougar apparel in the Cougar Bookstore.

            WNCC softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said half of the proceeds went to the softball program and the other half to Team Ashtyn, a foundation which helps families of children with cancer.

Winn-Ratliff said the players cherished the thought of helping out to raise funds for the foundation.

             “The ladies were super excited to do it,” said Winn-Ratliff, “and there was even one game that wasn’t on our schedule to do the shootout and still everybody volunteered to help run the event.

“The young ladies really know how important it is to help the community. I think what makes this more special for us is that it ties directly into the Panhandle and we know that the money will stay in this region and help out people in need. We are very supportive of what Jen and Tory [Schwartz] and the organization do.”

            Jennifer Schwartz, founder of the foundation named after her daughter Ashtyn, who came down with a form of Leukemia, feels blessed by the support that the Cougar softball team shows the organization.

            “We are honored that the WNCC Cougar softball team has supported our cause,” Schwartz said. “Every day, 46 new children are diagnosed in our country with cancer. Scottsbluff and Gering are not exempted from this unfortunate statistic. We feel fortunate that they have teamed up with us to help assist our local childhood cancer families.

“The WNCC Cougar Softball team has been instrumental in helping create awareness for childhood cancer in the Panhandle. They have helped in different capacities with our fundraising events. It is truly a humbling sight to see these beautiful girls make such an impact in our communities in the small amount of time they are here. We feel blessed to be able to see what these ladies do both on the field and off.”

Winn-Ratliff said they will continue to support the Team Ashtyn Foundation and they are working on fundraising ideas for next year.