Students involved in the planning of the 2019 Seneca Valley Raiderthon pose with a Miracle League athlete. The community event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylania, will return this year. Submitted photo

Those looking for an evening of family fun can help the Seneca Valley Senior High School Student Council raise funds for the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The eighth annual Seneca Valley Senior High Raiderthon will return in its entirety from 5 to 9 p.m. April 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rebecca Beers, faculty adviser to the student council, said the event will be held in the high school’s auditorium and gymnasium.

The lobby and hallway outside the gym will be outfitted in a carnival atmosphere, with face-painters, balloon artists and other features.

The gym will host sports events for students in grades nine through 12, including big ball volleyball, dodgeball and kickball.

A DJ will host karaoke in the auditorium for would-be vocalists and line-dance lessons will be offered every hour, Beers said.

Foods donated by various area restaurants will be available for purchase, she said. Raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing also will be available.

The community is invited to attend. Tickets, which are $5, will be available at the door or the senior high’s athletic office. Raffle basket and 50/50 tickets will be available for purchase.

Those not attending Raiderthon can donate online at its fundraising page, gofundme.com/f/svsd-2022-Raiderthon.

Proceeds from Raiderthon will benefit the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“The students selected Miracle League because it’s a local organization that gives students and adults in the community with special needs the chance to play a team sport,” Beers said.

She said many Seneca Valley Senior High students volunteer with Miracle League, which has built specially designed athletic fields in Cranberry Township to accommodate athletes of all abilities.

In the past eight years, Raiderthon has raised almost $100,000 for Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Owen Tekelenburg, a senior and student council president, said this is many students’ first time organizing a Raiderthon due to the pandemic.

“I think it’s important in that it brings the entire community of Seneca Valley together in support of a single cause,” Owen said. “I think that’s pretty powerful.”

Senior Alaina Ekstam, the fundraising chairperson for Raiderthon, is thrilled to be supporting the local Miracle League and spreading awareness in school regarding the organization’s importance.

“Overall, I think it’s a really great group to be involved with,” Alaina said.

Raiderthon was held last year in abbreviated form with a dodgeball tournament.