MARION - The first sunny day in a week gave Marion High School athletes, students, and community members a chance to gather at the Harry L. Crisp Sports Complex to "Pack the Park" for freshman student, Lexi Vojvodich.
On Jan. 13, Lexi was diagnosed with a brain tumor after suffering seizures and incidents of memory loss. She had two surgeries in one week in March to place a grid on her brain to map her seizures, and a second to remove the grid and the entire tumor.
Now back in school, Lexi's fight was honored by MHS with the first annual "Pack the Park." The event was scheduled on Tuesday because the baseball, softball, boys' tennis, and soccer teams all had home games. Shirts and lanyards were available for sale, as well as concessions and silent auction and raffle items.
All proceeds went to help Lexi and her family.
"It's crazy, but I like it," Lexi said. "I never expected all of these people to be here for me, but I guess when you need it, it happens."
Lexi's mother, Brandi Vojvodich, praised the event and the organizers.
"They have put so much hard work into this," Vojvodich said. According to Vojvodich - and Lexi - Lexi is doing great. Although she experiences headaches and has a slight palsy, Vojvodich said that her daughter is doing, "really, really, well."
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Ryan Goodisky was concerned that the heavy rains over the weekend would cancel the games.
"Coach (Marty) Manfredo and I were texting on Sunday, and I'm pretty sure that we said there was no way we'd play on Tuesday, but thankfully, the big man above was looking after us," Goodisky said. He made a point of thanking Derek Martin and Mike Mayhew for making sure the fields were ready for the games and fundraiser on Tuesday.
One of the organizers of the "Pack the Park" event, Joni Manfredo, said, "The need was there," for the fundraiser. Manfredo, Goodisky, Greg Lynn, and many other volunteers helped to plan the "Pack the Park" event, which they hope will become an annual occurrence, similar to "Jam the Gym."
A GoFundMe page, "Support for Lexi Vojvodich," has been set up on behalf of Lexi and her family offering the public a chance to donate.
More than $5,400 was raised at Tuesday's event.
