The Francis Marion University Patriot softball team held a bake sale fundraiser on Wednesday, Jan. 23 to raise money for the Friends of Jaclyn Organization.

The Patriot softball team sold hot dogs, chili, brownies, cookies, cake, chips, juice and soda in the breezeway from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 100 percent of the proceeds raised at the bake sale were given to the Friends of Jaclyn foundation.

Freshman mass communication – broadcast journalism major Kylie Allen said that she enjoyed the hot dog and was happy to donate to such a good cause.

“As a soccer player here at FMU, I think it is important to come out and support the other athletic teams both at their games and at the fundraising events that they hold,” Allen said.

Junior outfielder, Olivia Zielinski said she was happy with the turn out and thought that the bake sale was a success. She said that she likes doing fundraisers like the bake sale with her team and enjoys getting the opportunity to give back to the community.

“It went great,” Zielinski said. “I had a good time with my teammates supporting a great cause.”

Assistant softball coach Jessica Vetock said that the team raised $150 for the organization.

Friends of Jaclyn is a non-profit, charitable organization that was formed in 2005 by Denis and Lynda Murphy. It was inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, a nine-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in March 2004. Murphy was adopted as an honorary member of the Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team. The organization’s goal is to improve the quality of life for children suffering from pediatric brain tumors and their families.

The organization matches children suffering from brain tumors with a college or high school sports team in their area. Teams all over the United States welcome these children to their teams by adopting them as honorary members of their teams. Teams often hold an adoption ceremony at the beginning of one of their games honoring the child and their family.