Hit-a-thon raises more than $11,000 for CHS baseball program

Chester High School’s baseball program launched a batting cage fundraiser Aug. 4 with a goal of $8,000. The local community embraced the idea and as of Aug. 25 the goal has been met and exceeded. Businesses in the area donated $5,800 to the effort and individuals contributed $5,400 taking the grand total well beyond the goal, to $11,200.

The batting cage is to be installed this fall before winter sets up. The culmination of the fundraising effort was a Hit-A-Thon held on Aug. 20 at the CHS baseball field. Volcano alumni returned to participate including 2022 graduate ball players Wade Neer, Lucas Klimek, Jax Holland, and Conner Barr who took swings at the event. Neer and Klimek were league co-MVP’s last season, and Holland and Barr were named all-league. “The Hit-A-Thon alone raised nearly $1,600 from businesses and individuals,” said CHS assistant coach George Wellman.

Head coach Mike Klimek and coach Wellman extended a sincere thank you to all the donors. “Your thoughtfulness and caring is so appreciated,” said Klimek.

Nineteen businesses donated and the list of donating individuals is very long. The new CHS principal David Andreasen was present at the Hit-A-Thon and even took a swing himself! Honorary member of the Volcanoes, 12-year-old Gavin Gutierrez, was also on site to step up to the plate.