The Mizzou volleyball program held its first annual Valentine’s Day Charity Benefit Tournament on the Hearnes Center floor yesterday (Feb. 14) in hopes of collecting more than $1,000 for the American Red Cross and the Haitian Relief Fund. The Tigers succeeded in their goal and presented a check of more than $1,000 to Mike Odneal, executive director of the Mid-Missouri Red Cross, as the program raised funds by selling t-shirts, collecting donations and hosting some of the area’s top clubs in the all-day event.

According to Odneal, the funds that were raised will go directly to the nation of Haiti as it looks to rebuild from the tragic earthquake that occurred last month. Specifically, the funds will help in providing food and shelter, clean water and the rebuilding and rescue efforts that are still going on.

Members of the Mizzou volleyball team were on hand to collect donations, sell t-shirts and help in scoring matches during the tournament. Not only did the all-day event earn proceeds for a worthy cause, but local youngsters got their chance to interact with some of the role models on the Tigers’ actual competition floor.