Palmerton Area High School will play host to the second annual “Volley for a Cause” match on Sunday, bringing students and the community together for an afternoon of competition in support of mental health awareness.

The varsity volleyball team will face a team of Palmerton student-athletes in a 2 p.m. match at the high school. Doors open at 1 p.m. Admission is $5, and proceeds will benefit the Bo Tkach Foundation, which supports obsessive-compulsive disorder and mental health awareness.

The event will also include a basket raffle, bake sale, concession stand and 50/50 drawing.

Varsity volleyball coach Savannah Mickel said the idea was introduced last year as a way to blend sports with charitable giving.

“Last year’s event went really well,” Mickel said. “The event was to benefit breast cancer research and partnering with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition was a great way to support the cause. As a first year event, attendance and participation was as expected and we are hoping that as the event grows and becomes a Palmerton volleyball tradition so will community support and contributions to the cause.”

The inaugural fundraiser raised $2,013 for the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. This year, Mickel said, her players were given the responsibility of selecting a cause to support.

“This year, the volleyball players were in charge of choosing a cause important to them and finding a foundation,” she said. “Proceeds this year will be donated to the Bo Tkach Foundation in support of OCD and mental health awareness.”

The format of the game has also evolved. In 2024, the volleyball team played against the wrestling team.

“Last year, we reached out to other school sports teams for participation and the wrestling team was eager to be a part of the event, help and play for a great cause which made the event that much better,” Mickel said.

This fall, the volleyball players expanded the invitation. “

The volleyball players opened up the invitation for an opposing team to the entire school,” Mickel said. “The girls wanted to provide the opportunity to get involved to the student body and this year’s opponent will be made up of Palmerton High School students who are passionate about playing to promote mental health awareness.”

Mickel said her players are motivated by the larger purpose behind the match.

“The players are really excited because it’s more than just playing volleyball — it’s about coming together for something bigger,” she said. “Being able to mix the fun of competition with raising awareness for mental health makes the event feel extra meaningful. It gives the team a chance to bond, have fun with the community, and know that what they’re doing on the court is making a difference off the court too.”

The fundraiser, she added, is an opportunity for student-athletes to grow in ways beyond their regular seasons.

“Events like this are important because they give students a chance to be a part of something beyond just their sport,” Mickel said. “It’s easy to focus only on wins and losses during the season, but opportunities like this let them use their teamwork and energy for a bigger purpose. It builds leadership, brings students together, and reminds us that we can make a positive impact in our community.”

Mickel said she hopes attendees will leave with a stronger awareness of the event’s mission.

“We hope students and the community walk away with a stronger understanding that mental health is just as important as physical health,” she said. “By supporting this year’s cause, we want people to feel encouraged to talk about mental health openly, to know that it’s OK to ask for help, and to see that our community is here to support one another. If people leave the event feeling more connected and aware, then we accomplished our goal.”