The Chesapeake Region Volleyball Association (CHRVA) awarded a $1,000 grant to The Side-Out Foundation, to be applied toward the Side-Out Ambassador Program (SOAP) scholarship awards. The grant will specifically benefit a player involved with Dig Pink® who is also a volleyball athlete in the CHRVA region. The funds are donated in memory of Anne Hughes, a longtime volleyball advocate and former CHRVA commissioner. She was passionate about promoting the sport and dedicated to the athletes who played, despite the fact that she never played herself.

Anne was also a teacher and a volunteer, embracing any opportunity to educate and influence youths. Dixie G. Collins worked with Anne on the CHRVA board for many years: “Anne Hughes loved volleyball. Although she never played or coached or refereed, she touched all those who did. She devoted much of her time and self to the growth of volleyball in the Chesapeake Region. I had the pleasure of considering Anne a friend for almost 35 years. USA Volleyball awarded her the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award in May 2008 for her long years of service to the sport she loved.”

Rick Dunetz, executive director of Side-Out, is honored to receive this grant in Anne’s memory and excited to put it toward the higher education of a volleyball athlete: “Anne was a well-known figure in our region, and her advocacy for both the sport and the individual athletes leaves a legacy that will benefit CHRVA for years to come.”

More details about the scholarship will be posted soon.

About The Side-Out Foundation

The Side-Out Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2004.  Inspired by one mom and embraced by the entire sport of volleyball, the mission of The Side-Out Foundation is to educate young athletes and their communities about breast cancer, both with respect to prevention and treatment, and to fund cutting edge breast cancer research.  Side-Out is focused on changing the way breast cancer is treated forever.

The term side-out refers to a situation in volleyball when one team wins a point while its opponent is serving, thereby regaining serve or control of play.  It is hoped that Side-Out will do the same for breast cancer patients, providing them with the support, education and best available treatments to regain control of their lives.