Through two weeks of fundraising and a two-night volleyball event, more than $8,000 has been raised to support the Pacheco family as they get back on their feet.

“It was awesome to see the community come together for this family. They have done so much for us, so just to be able to do something like this and see the community come out to support them means a lot,” said Kyle Jarrell, Dunkirk varsity volleyball coach.

Jarrell coached Ema Pacheco this fall with the Dunkirk volleyball team. He has gotten to know the family well over the years as a coach of multiple sports at different levels within the District, while the Pacheco family has always been heavily involved in Dunkirk athletics.

“I have had the pleasure of coaching Ema in both basketball and volleyball, and every time you look up in the stands, no matter a home or away game you see Ana, Larry and Jamaladie sitting up there cheering for their daughter/sister no matter if they had to drive through rain, sleet or a snowstorm to watch the game. Their kindness and perseverance is what defines what it is to be a part of this amazing Dunkirk community,” Jarrell said in a social media post leading up to the event.

Dunkirk volleyball player Brooke Szymczak, right, soars to send the ball over the net during a charity volleyball event at Dunkirk High School.

It seemed only fitting that the Dunkirk athletic community would be just as involved in the family’s comeback, and that certainly was the case.

A two-night volleyball event began on Nov. 6, then carried into the next night on Nov. 7. Dunkirk athletes from across sports played against each other in volleyball matches, beginning with the modified and junior varsity teams on Wednesday, followed by the varsity programs on Thursday.

The winners of each night’s opening contest took on the volleyball team to determine a winner. The event also held a bake sale sponsored by the modified volleyball team, a basket raffle and a 50-50 drawing, with Spanish food sold during the games.

The modified soccer and volleyball programs competed in the first match on Thursday, which was dominated by the volleyball team with a three-set sweep. After that, athletes in grades nine to 10 competed in a contest pitting soccer and football players against each other, with the football players taking the victory, two sets to one. The final matchup of the day on Wednesday featured the junior varsity volleyball team against a group of football players. The football players pulled out a victory, two sets to one, thanks in part to what Jarrell playfully called “possibly illegal play from the football team.”

After a successful first night, the varsity boys soccer team, coached by Zach Meadows, competed against the varsity football team, coached by Edwin Gomez.

The varsity soccer team took a commanding lead through two sets against the varsity football team to advance to the main event against the varsity volleyball team.

Once the spotlight was on, Greg Orcutt must have realized the calendar flipped to November and winter sports were soon approaching. Known as one of Dunkirk’s basketball standouts, Orcutt used his height and athleticism to lead the way for a narrow victory over the volleyball team, two sets to one, with the final set separated by just two points, 25-23.

But as impressive as any player on the court either night was, it was the Dunkirk community that stole the show. As Jarrell said prior to the event, “This community is unlike any other, and the people are what make it thrive.”

Over just two nights, more than $5,000 was raised to benefit the Pacheco family. Coupled with more than $3,000 raised in the days leading up to the event, more than $8,000 will go directly toward helping the Pacheco family rebuild their home.

“No matter the outcome, all teams had so much fun. It was fun seeing the boys learn the rules of volleyball,” Jarrell said.

All three coaches look forward to establishing the event as an annual tradition to benefit local causes in future years. Jarrell joked, “Everyone had a blast, and really, if anyone needs to learn the rules, it’s Coach Meadows.”

To join in and offer support, donations can be made through Venmo or Cashapp to @DunkirkVolleyball.