HURRICANE KATRINA Tigers host Raiders for benefit

The rival schools competed in several athletic events and auctioned gift baskets.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT.
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Mike Hosterman said he knew the challenge his team faced Saturday night.
The Springfield Tigers faculty volleyball team won the first match against the South Range Raiders faculty team but couldn't pull off the second.
In the end, the Tigers claimed two out of three.
"We had to work hard to get the third one," said Hosterman, a physical education teacher at Springfield Elementary. "But we did it, and we had a lot of fun. And it's all good -- a good game, good teams, a good cause."
The volleyball challenge was one of several events featured at the Hurricane Katrina victims' benefit at Springfield High School. At least 1,200 area people turned out for the event, which also featured cheerleading performances, basketball games, dodge ball competitions and a tug-of-war.
The band Big Piece of Cake, made up of students from South Range, performed throughout the night. Representatives from the American Red Cross, the recipient of the proceeds, were also on hand.
Coming together
"We did something similar for the tsunami victims," said Gloria Barth, South Range Student Council adviser. "It went very well, so we thought the two school districts could do something like that again."
Working together, the school districts, which have been rivals for years, in February raised $6,500 for victims of last year's tsunami. About 1,000 people turned out for that event.
"The students worked really well together last year and have done the same this time," said Barth. "They've pulled together again to try to make a difference, and they have made a difference."
Barth said the student councils from each school district cooperated to organize both events. Mike Dunn, Springfield Student Council adviser, assisted his students.
Students from both districts helped raise items included in the 111 gift baskets raffled off during a silent auction, Barth said.
Area merchants donated foods and refreshments sold at the event. Admission was by donation.
"We would like to raise at least what we were able to raise last time," Barth said. "But the main thing is for the students to work together and know they did something to help. It's good for them to see the community do something to help. That's what it's really all about, and I think that's what really comes across on a night like tonight."