Caitlin is the daughter of Tim and Jelaine Scannell, and is also survived by her two brothers, Ryan and Neil, and her sister Sheena. Caitlin was a member of the Campbellsport High School volleyball and soccer teams. On the soccer field, Caitlin had the joy of playing for her father, who serves as the varsity coach at Campbellsport. She was in her first season with Riptide Volleyball Club, after spending time previously with Waupun Breakout.
In addition to her atlhetic successes, Cailtin was a leader in the classroom and the community. She was ranked second in her class at Campbellsport High School, was a member of the Youth Leadership Program of Fond du Lac, and a Life Teen member at Shepard of the Hills Parrish. She volunteered much of her time in the community, including as an assistant coach for a fourth grade girls youth basketball team.
Please click here for Caitlin's obituary. And please click here for a newspaper article that details how lives were touched by these three girls.
Below is an email from Riptide club director Craig Madson, which he has given me permission to share. It is my hope that together with Riptide, Badger Region and the volleyball community can come together to raise money to honor Caitlin's memory:
Riptide 17 White, with #3 Caitlin
The athletes on Riptide 17 White, their coaches, Sarah and myself would like to support the newly established Caitlin Scannell Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund was established by Caitlin's brother, Ryan. He had saved $10,000 to help her pay for college, instead he has opened an endowment fund to distribute scholarships in her memory. Here is the link with more information on Ryan's story and the scholarship fund: http://www.wisn.com/news/30384366/detail.html.
In an endowment, the principal is never touched. This allows the fund to continue indefinitely by making disbursements from earnings off the endowment's investments. Ryan will be establishing a non-profit organization to accept donations to the fund. This will allow any contribution to be tax deductible.
Riptide Volleyball Club would like to support Ryan, his family, and Caitlin by raising money to contribute to the scholarship fund. Click here for a pledge form for those interested in contributing. Those families who wish to contribute to the Caitlin Scannell Memorial Scholarship Fund can do so by completing this form, enclosing a check, and mailing it to:
Caitlin Scannell Memorial Scholarship Fund
C/O Riptide VBC
429 Sandmar Drive
Ripon, WI 54971
Why send your donation to Riptide? In an effort to make our contribution meaningful to the Scannell family and the Campbellsport community, Riptide Volleyball Club will be matching the first $1,000 in donations. As an extra incentive, if we are able to exceed that goal I will personally match the next $500.
In addition to donation efforts, Riptide 17 White has asked me to design and provide silicone bracelets (think LiveStrong) in Caitlin's honor. We are in the process of identifying a vendor and ordering a supply of bracelets. The bracelets will be in Caitlin's favorite color, pink. It will be inscribed with one of her favorite Bible passages, Phillipians 3:14 - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." At this time, I do not know what the resale price will be or the quantity we will be purchasing. However, proceeds from the sale of these bracelets will also be donated to the scholarship fund.
In addition to the efforts of Riptide 17 White and Riptide VBC, the Badger Region, USA Volleyball, and a number of other volleyball clubs throughout the country have contacted us to extend their sympathies and support. Some have shared stories of similar tragedies, others have offered ideas for honoring Caitlin's memory, another has offered to share their experience and offer a friendly ear to parents or athletes that are struggling with how to cope, while some have made financial commitments to the scholarship fund. It has been amazing to see the youth volleyball community reach out. There are so many wonderful people across the country who commit their time to the growth and development of youth student athletes, and a tragedy like this strikes close to their hearts.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact Sarah or myself. If you want to get involved in activities to support Caitlin's scholarship fund, make a financial contribution of your own, lend your time to support our athletes who are grieving the loss of their teammate and friend, or offer support in any other way please let me know. I am happy to help coordinate your efforts.
Thank you all,
Craig and Sarah
920.602.6577
Here is the Badger Region Facebook page with the link information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Badger-Region-Volleyball/144504375636264
UPDATE: This year at the Badger Region Championships, Badger Region will be organizing a fundraising effort called Dig for Caitlin - much like the Dig Pink drive that was done last year. Since Caitlin was a libero and her favorite color was pink, we still ask that all of the teams on Sunday (both weekends) wear pink and collect funds for the above-mentioned scholarship fund. More details will be forthcoming.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out over the past week. Caitlin's family, Riptide VBC, and our athletes appreciate the outpouring of support from the volleyball community. Last night, over 10,000 people turned out to remember Caitlin, and her classmates - Katie and Sabrina. Caitlin's family expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the volleyball community in supporting their one wish - that Caitlin never be forgotten. On behalf of the Scannell family and Riptide 17 White, "Thank You".
ReplyDeleteCraig Madson - Riptide VBC