Another Bake Sale in the Books for Blazers

LONGMEADOW, MA - The Elms College Women's Soccer Team made over $1,000 at their annual breast cancer awareness bake sale on September 24. Held at the CVS pharmacy in Longmeadow, the team donated all earnings to the Rays of Hope Baystate Foundation, which supports breast cancer awareness, patient support, and research.

This event marked the fourth year the Blazers women's soccer team has held a bake sale for breast cancer awareness month. Senior keeper Gianna Liquori (East Longmeadow, MA) brought the idea to the team her first year at Elms and has continued to spearhead the event each fall. 

"The annual bake sale is more than just a fundraiser," Liquori said. "It is a heartfelt tradition in the spirit of giving and hope – my goal was to channel the women's soccer program's collective passion and energy into something truly meaningful! I'm honored to be a part of this all and doing this for my family and friends who I have lost, who are still fighting and who have lost their battle – this bake sale is a symbol of unity, compassion, and that together we can shine a ray of hope into the lives of those who need it most!" 

The team decided to try to reach an audience outside of the Elms community and chose the CVS Longmeadow location, but team members were blown away when Lucy Giuggio Carvalho, the founder of the Rays of Hope Foundation, made a surprise visit during the bake sale! For more information about the program, visit Rays of Hope 2023 - 30th Anniversary - Baystate Health Foundation (convio.net).

"I'm beyond proud of these amazing young women. Community is one of the core values at Elms and to see our players make an impact like this is truly astonishing," women's soccer head coach Sean Milbier added. "Gianna has done a lot of the organizing and has done a great job. Being a student athlete at Elms is all about what you do on and off the field, this is a great example of that."

The Blazers will host their annual Pink Out Game for cancer awareness on Wednesday 10/4 at 7PM on Leary Field.