Community College to hold car show,
volleyball tournament to support non-profits
PRESQUE ISLE – Members of the Student Senate at Northern Maine Community College are preparing to host their seventh annual “Support Maine Veterans” Volleyball Tournament and are looking to the community to participate. New this year is a car show that students are also hoping community members will help make a success. Both events will be held Saturday, April 24.
While students and employees at the college will be encouraged to make up some of the teams in the charity volleyball tournament, the group is welcoming local businesses, organizations and community members who want to join in. All players will receive a tournament T-shirt. The tournament begins at 9 a.m. in the NMCC gymnasium.
Each team of six to eight players is asked to raise at least $100 in order to enter the tournament. Teams with one or more players who have competed on a volleyball team will play in a competitive bracket, while those who are playing just for fun will participate in a recreational bracket. There will be a double elimination if only a few teams show up for the tournament, but if several teams do, there will be a single elimination. Teams are encouraged to sign up before April 24, but it is not required.
Companies or organizations that cannot form a group of their own but wish to support the event may opt to either pledge a donation to one of the competing teams or form an “honorary” team. According to NMCC Student Senate adviser Dennis Albert, teams donating $100 but not playing will be listed as honorary teams supporting the effort.
Last year during the sixth annual volleyball tournament, a total of $1,200 was raised to benefit the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou. This year, proceeds from the tournament will again be donated to the Veterans’ Home.
“In the past, we raised $1,000, $1,200, $1,500 to donate to the Veterans’ Home, so our goal this year is to raise at least $1,000,” said Albert. “The money is put toward the Veterans’ Home activity fund for the various activities they do. It also supports those veterans who do not have family living close by to purchase birthday presents, birthday cards, and Christmas gifts.”
Both the college and Student Senate are excited to bring a new event to campus this year, an NMCC Car Show, held in a designated parking lot on campus. Students and employees are welcome to enter their cars in the show, but the community is also encouraged to participate. The entrance fee is $10 per car entry.
Classes for the car show include: 1920s-1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s-present, 4×4, tractors, street rods, and motorcycles. Trophies will be awarded to a winner of each class, as voted on by the public. Registration for this event is from 7-9 a.m., and the show is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. An entrance fee of $3 will be charged for adults and children 12 and under will get in free. Concessions will be available. All proceeds from the NMCC Car Show will go to the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross. The rain date for this event is April 25, same time and place.
“Usually during the annual volleyball tournament there is still snow on the ground. Luckily, so far, we have had a really nice spring,” said Albert. “Hopefully the weather will continue to work in our favor with the car show added to this year’s event, and we will get a nice day for participation in the show and draw in a great crowd.”
Anyone interested in forming a team to compete in the volleyball tournament April 24, or looking for more information about the NMCC Car Show to be held on the same date, should contact Albert at 768-2757. Registration forms and pledge sheets can be picked up at NMCC.
NMCC is looking forward to hosting both events to welcome in the 2010 spring season, along with other year-end activities before the college’s 47th annual commencement May 15.
