The Michelle O'Neill Foundation to Benefit Children with Cancer and Special Needs
Fall 2024
Letter from the President
The Michelle O’Neill Foundation’s 28th annual volleyball tournament fundraiser was a tremendous success -- not only because it was the largest, but also because of the continuing loyalty, generosity and willingness to help others displayed by our Foundation family and friends. We chose the slogan “Embrace Hope” for this year’s fundraiser – to expect good things to happen! On behalf of the families caring for a child with cancer and/or special needs and the organizations that serve them, I thank you.
Opening ceremony began with a blessing from Fr. Steven from Beach Catholic, God Bless American sung by Molly O’Neill and an invitation by John Barnes, our MC, to Pledge Allegiance to the many American flags provided by Jimmy Tolfree. We were blessed to have some of the children and their families that the Foundation has assisted join us on stage – Trip, Cooper, Payton, Paige and Danny, as well as Matt Campo, CEO of RMHC, Rachel Flannery of MSK Kids and Laurel Gambert of Make-A-Wish. Music was provided throughout the day by EJ Weston and Constant Entertainment.
Although we had a short rain shower early afternoon, it apparently didn’t “dampen” the spirits of our donors and participants. I believe it added an endearing and additional energy to our event!!! People huddled under tents and the games continued after a brief interruption.
We had 497 teams, 3,223 players across 78 nets. I understand it is the largest single event volleyball tournament on the East Coast. Our loyal volley-teers wear many hats from setting up and breaking down our nets, orchestrating the volleyball games, selling raffle tickets for our many extraordinary prizes and selling our smiley wear merchandise. The National Charity League, as we lovingly refer to them as the pink ladies, perform various roles, welcoming our players onto the beach and directing to their courts and selling raffles and merchandise, and we thank them.
We are very grateful to the City of Long Beach’s Recreation, Police, Sanitation and Public Works Departments for their incredible support to help make our fundraiser the success it is.
We’ve been told by many in and outside of our beautiful community of Long Beach how much they love the Michelle O’Neill volleyball tournament, and I love to hear that because for me, the fundraiser is a way to give back to the many people who helped us during Michelle’s illness, as well as to help those families who are caring for sick and suffering children. When I hear that it is the “best day ever,” my heart is filled with “hope” that the Michelle O’Neill Foundation will continue to fulfill its mission to help benefit children with cancer and/or special needs for many years to come.
With Love,
Carol O’Neill, President