Local high school softball teams support Mental Health Association in Niagara County

The Niagara Wheatfield High School and Lockport High School softball teams conducted a fundraiser during the month of April, selling cards for $1 apiece, with proceeds going to the Mental Health Association in Niagara County in recognition of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. More than $1,400 was raised through the card sales to support programming and services for those living with a mental health diagnosis in Niagara County.

The two teams presented their checks to the Mental Health Association in Niagara County Executive Director Daniel Colpoys before competing against each other on Monday.

“Each year, the team selects a local nonprofit to raise money for, and this year they selected the Mental Health Association in Niagara County,” Lady Falcons head coach Kevin Schucker said. “I told coach Kojska at Lockport about it, and he got his team involved, too. The team members solicited friends, families, teachers, businesses, and even went door-to-door in their neighborhoods to sell the MHA cards. We even had shirts made with the MHA’s logo and mental health awareness ribbon, along with their names and game uniform numbers on the back of the T-shirts. The team really got into it this year, and I’m proud of the effort they put in to raising money for the MHA. My family has personally been impacted by mental illness, so this hits home for me, too.”

Colpoys said, “We’re honored to have been selected by the Lady Falcons and Lady Lions this year as the recipient of their fundraising efforts. I think it says a lot about the youth of today, as well as the Niagara Wheatfield and Lockport school districts and how we’re overcoming the stigma of mental health to recognize the importance of mental health services.”

It is the mission of The Mental Health Association in Niagara County to promote mental wellness by sponsoring and implementing advocacy, education, and community service programs.