Thursday, September 17, 2015
by Central Washington Athletic Communications

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - When Central Washington University's women's soccer team began its season nearly a month ago battling Evergreen State in a preseason scrimmage on a smoky Wildcat Soccer pitch, it had to be stopped prematurely because of poor air quality due to smoke traveling over 100 miles away from the fires in Chelan.

The fires, which affected more than 135,000 acres in the region, have been ongoing since Aug. 14.

Sophomore Alyssa Navlet was the one who created the momentum to help those in need and with the help of senior Reilly Retz, junior Allie Bohnett and the entire soccer team, they created a Go Fund Me account to raise money and awareness for all affected by the fires.

"I was laying in bed one night and texted Allie and Reilly with the idea," Navlet said. "My grandpa is a fire fighter in Seattle and he told me about all the people coming from around the country to help and I wanted to help as well."

The team created the account with the intention of raising $1,000 dollars to donate to the Community Foundation of North Central Washington. Within in 17 days the team had raised $1,205 towards the foundation.

"It was amazing to see the money and support come through," Retz said. "We have never done something like this as a team, and it was a great way to get involved and do something that was helping people. Everyone was effected by the fire, we just wanted to do our part."

"I just think it was really important to show respect to the men and women risking their lives fighting these fires," Bohnett added.

The team will continue to keep the support page operational in hopes to raise more money for those in need.

"I'm proud of them," Head coach Michael Farrand said. "They took a look at a problem, found a need and solved it. I think it says a lot about who they are as a team, as a group, and who these three ladies are as individuals."