Brevard softball players presented the Desmelik family with a check for $3,900 on Saturday.
BREVARD – Every twist and turn of this softball season has been tinged with a little extra emotion for Brevard.
The No. 9 Blue Devils (15-10) will go into Tuesday’s third round of the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs at top-seeded West Stanly (24-4) with the same mindset.
They are recording outs and scoring runs this spring for the 7-year-old son of Brevard spanish teacher Clare Desmelik, who has an inoperable brain tumor.
“Get Home for Holmes” was the fund-raising movement dedicated to Holmes Desmelik during the regular season, and it worked like this. Fans were asked to pledge a dollar amount for every run that Brevard scored.
The Blue Devils presented a check for $3,900 to the Desmelik family prior to Saturday’s second-round playoff game against visiting East Burke (the Transylvania County team won, 11-3).
On the spot, East Burke also pledged a $100 donation which brought the total up to $4,000. Brevard coach David McNeill said that Franklin and Pisgah have given similarly in recent months.
“We’re playing our best ball of the season right now and that’s what you want,” McNeill said.
“But I’m happier about this (fund-raising drive) than anything else. The girls are the ones who came up with this idea, thought about it, and then bought in.”
Tuesday’s playoff game between the Blue Devils and West Stanly will start at 6:30 p.m. in the town of Oakboro.
Anyone who is interested in making a donation to the Desmelik family is asked to contact McNeill at david.mcneill@transylvaniacounty.org.
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