Volleyball team reaches out
By: Deborah Lilly
On Nov. 9, 2004, Chris BA ’01 and Rachel BA ’02 Sherck celebrated the birth of their son, Malachi. But before he was two months old, Malachi was back in the hospital battling life-threatening conditions. Diagnosed with Short Gut Syndrome, he has had a liver transplant and two transplants for small intestines.
Back home, the Shercks have had many supporters and prayer warriors through the surgeries and the long hospital stays. Among them have been the Anderson University community, especially the Raven volleyball team.
Chris, along with being a pastor, is the assistant coach for the volleyball team. “Last year, we started having fundraisers to help with Malachi’s hospital expenses,” explains Tami Miller, head volleyball coach. The girls sold a thousand black bracelets. When they learned this past year that Malachi would be having organ transplants, they got back to work, this time selling orange bracelets.
No one on the team had second thoughts about using their free time to raise money for baby Malachi. “Chris brings so much to the volleyball program,” says Jenni Little, a senior player this past year from Kokomo, Ind. “His enthusiasm, commitment, and desire for his players to do well is very much appreciated. He has excellent coaching skills and is a positive asset to the team.”
Jara Ballinger, a junior this past year from Upland, Ind., decided she could do more than just sell bracelets. She decided to take the plight of the Sherck family to Oprah Winfrey. She sent letters via e-mail and the U.S. Postal Service explaining Malachi’s situation.
“I know that Oprah has thousands of people writing to her every day for all kinds of problems,” says Ballinger, “but I hope and pray that something can be done to help Malachi’s family with this financial burden. Chris, Rachel, and Malachi mean so much to our team, and we just wanted a chance to show them our gratitude for all they’ve done for us and let them know how much we care.” At the end of the school year, Ballinger was still waiting to hear from Winfrey and her staff.
Even though it’s summer, the volleyball team isn’t taking a break from helping Malachi. They will be hosting a volleyball camp in Chris’ hometown of LaGrange, Ind., with all funds going to Malachi. They also have several more bracelets to sell and would like to make them available to AU alumni. The rubber wristbands feature the new Raven logo and are available for a donation of $3 each. To order a bracelet, send a check made out to Anderson University — along with information on the number of bracelets ordered and where the bracelets should be sent — to Tami Miller, Anderson University, 1100 E. Fifth St., Anderson, IN 46012.
The Sherck family is working through Children’s Organ Transplant Association to raise money for Malachi’s expenses. Anyone just wanting to make a donation may send it to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. Checks or money orders should be made payable to “COTA for Malachi S.”
