POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — More than 100 people braved the South Florida heat Saturday to take part in the 40th annual All Heart Volleyball Challenge, a fundraising event benefiting the Ann Storck Center.
Held on the sand in Pompano Beach, the event featured volleyball competition, food, music, raffles and prizes, with proceeds supporting programs and services provided by the Fort Lauderdale-based nonprofit.
The Ann Storck Center has served people with developmental disabilities for more than 70 years, offering educational, residential and therapeutic programs for children and adults.
The event featured 20 volleyball teams competing throughout the day, along with raffles, food, music and prizes, all aimed at raising money for programs that support children and adults with developmental disabilities.
“We have 14 programs, over 11 locations, and we provide education and therapy, family strengthening, but the most important thing we do is provide love and care,” said Pat Murphy, CEO of the Ann Storck Center. “We really believe people with disabilities have the right to live independent lives as we all do.”
Based in Fort Lauderdale, the Ann Storck Center has served the South Florida community for decades through a range of programs designed to support individuals with disabilities from infancy through adulthood.
“It’s birth through the end of life,” Murphy said. “We provide education through a school, our Early Learning Academy. We have 10 group homes. We have an advocacy program. Another neat program is our respite program where we go into people’s homes and give them a break for caring for their child with a disability.”
Murphy said fundraising events like the volleyball tournament help the nonprofit continue providing those services.
Twenty teams competed for first, second, and third-place prizes during Saturday’s tournament. Organizers also held raffles and encouraged community members to attend even if they were not participating in the competition.
“We have raffles, so come on out,” Murphy said. “We need people to buy raffles and support the Ann Storck Center.”
The event also featured meals donated by local businesses, including 200 lunches provided by Oceanic and pizzas donated by Jet’s Pizza for players and attendees.
Organizers said the annual tournament not only raises critical funding but also helps bring the community together in support of individuals and families living with disabilities.
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