Mars Girls Varsity Volleyball Team members are holding several fundraisers for the Pink Planet project, including the night volleyball game Oct. 12.

ADAMS TWP — The Mars lady spikers are set to bump up their efforts for breast cancer awareness this season.

The girls varsity volleyball team members, who raised $2,000 during their Pink Planet event last year, hope their classmates and the community will help them triple that amount to $6,000 this year.

Amy Berkopec, the volleyball boosters member who is coordinating the 2016 Pink Planet project, said the Pink Planet Night volleyball game is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 12.

Berkopec said proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Team members worked at last weekend's Mars Applefest, selling Pink Planet T-shirts for $10 each, along with tickets to bid on the 20 baskets of various themes in the project's raffle.

Berkopec said the T-shirts and basket raffle tickets will be available again at the Mars Homecoming football game on Friday.

A Pink Planet spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be served Wednesday, when the shirts and baskets also will be available.

The dinner will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the high school. A $10 donation will get diners a pasta dinner, salad, beverage and dessert.

The volleyball team members also will sell Planet Pink wristbands at the events.

Berkopec said the district's athletic director, Scott Heinauer, has allowed the team to waive the usual $5 admission fee for those wearing the pink wristbands at the Pink Planet Night game on Oct. 12.

The team will warm up at the game in the Pink Planet T-shirts, and will sport pink socks and shoestrings, as well as pink bows in their hair during the game.

She said the girls will decorate the gymnasium in pink for Pink Planet Night. They also will toss the T-shirts into the crowd.

Berkopec said the girls have worked hard to put the event together.

“They are taking ownership of something and making a difference,” she said. “It's good to give back and pass it forward.”

Volleyball head coach Tami Caraway said she is proud of her team and its dedication to the cause of breast cancer research.

“The girls have really taken on the idea of helping other people,” Caraway said. “It's something they look forward to and they love being a part of it.”