The 15th annual March Madness basketball game between the Churchville-Chili Leo Club and the Churchville Lions was a rousing 43-29 victory for the Leos. Each year the students play the Lions, their sponsoring organization, in a benefit game to raise funds for a needy family. The game proceeds of $2,000, was presented to the John Carr family whose nine year old son, Patrick, has been battling neuroblastoma for over five years. Patrick, a third grader at Chestnut Ridge School, loves hockey and baseball and his infectious spirit continues to inspire those around him. However the family medical expenses continue to be a significant issue.
The Leo Club team used their speed and balanced scoring to overwhelm the Lions who were also joined by members of the Lions Club of Chili and the Churchville Volunteer Fire Department. Gabrielle Kolmer (8); Tommy Carr (7); Jimmy Latona and Patrick Carr (6) each; Gretta Kolmer and Gavin Carr (4) each led the Leos which also saw Rachel Lintz, Sophie Guglin, Isabelle Horvath, Sarah Engel, Kenny Carr and Joey Carr score points. Wil and Megan Kipfer, Sydnie Brown, Emily and Lynn Knutti, Skylar Burgess, Shannon Brookes, and Gabi Batz also played for the Leos. The Lions team was led by Jamie Wainwright, Barry Engert and Carole Agosto. The game was tied 10-10 in the first half when the Leos used their overall team speed to simply run away with the game.
The Leo Club is now 16 years old and was formed to perform community service activities. It is comprised of students in grades 7 through 12. Those students prepare a monthly meal at the Ronald McDonald House; routinely attend functions at the Batavia School For The Blind; attend Westside Relay For Life; Camp Abilities in Brockport and regularly help at school and Riga Recreation functions. They help at the School of the Holy Childhood and completed a Christmas collection of personal care items and donated 282 “Shoe Boxes from Santa” to Open Door Mission and DePaul Clinic.
Many activities are also done in concert with the Churchville Lions as the students will be seen helping at the Chicken Barbecues for the Community Music Fest June 2 and the Lions Country Fair in August.
The Leos have a Dance Exhibition planned as a fundraiser for the Relay For Life May 4 as well as a car wash at the Churchville Fire Department on Saturday May 11. The Leos will also help at the inaugural Patriot Days in Riga scheduled for June 24 through 28 and the LPGA golf championship at Locust Hill Country Club. The Leo Club Advisors are Cyndy Taladay, math teacher and Churchville Lion Marty Molinari.
