This Is What Volleyball Means To My Daughter Kai

As many of you know, my daughter Kai has discovered a deep passion for volleyball and she is truly a force on the court. She's not just a player; she's one of the strongest contributors on her team, and her coaches and teammates count on her showing up. As the tallest player in the entire club, she brings an amazing advantage on the court that no one else in the club can replace.

Volleyball has changed Kai's life. It brings her joy, keeps her motivated, and gives her a place where she feels accepted, seen, and valued. It is her anchor, the one place where she has discovered who she is and is learning, day by day, to embrace just how incredible she is.

Kai Needs to Be There

Kai's team has a tournament in Las Vegas, March 14 through 16 and I am asking your help getting her there. At this time, her volleyball club does not have fundraising campaigns for individual players, so this falls completely on me as her mom.

March is an incredibly special month for Kai. She turns 16 on March 3rd, and due to my current situation, I am not going to be able to give her the sweet 16 I promised her. And the thought of her then also finding out she can't get to her tournament is heavy on my heart. I am doing everything in my power to at least make sure she gets on that court.

Our Story

Last summer, I made the difficult decision to relocate our family from San Ramon to Lodi. As a single mom, the cost of living had become unsustainable, and moving was the only way I could keep Kai in volleyball. Unfortunately, I've been navigating unemployment and losing contracts from my business, due to the impact of the current administration. I'm hopeful and genuinely believe I'll be employed within the next 30 days. But right now, I don't have the funds to cover the trip, and time is running out.

How We're Making It Work

To keep costs as low as possible, I've arranged to rent my friends Winnebago for the trip. It gives us transportation and sleeping accommodations all in one, and since it has a kitchen, we can cook our own meals instead of eating out. This means we avoid the cost of flights, a hotel, and restaurant meals. It's the most practical and affordable way I know to make this happen, and I'm grateful to have that option.

Here is what I'm raising funds to cover:

Transportation/Winnebago rental: $1,310

Gas: $240

Groceries: $100

Team fees: $375

Total Goal: $2,025

Every dollar goes directly toward getting Kai on that court with her team where she thrives.

She Doesn't Know

Kai doesn't know that this trip might not happen. She wakes up every day excited about volleyball, about her team, about what's ahead, and I am doing everything in my power to protect that. I haven't told her yet. I don't want her to lose her motivation and become distracted at school and at practice, and then be devastated showing up to practice as a team leader, knowing her team is on their way to Las Vegas without her.

The thought of her facing two painful disappointments in the same month, after all the heart she has poured into this sport, is something I simply cannot accept without fighting for her first.

Any Amount Helps

If you've ever seen Kai play, you know what this means to her. If you haven't, trust me when I say she is something special and this team is better with her on it. I also need to let her head coach know within the next 10 days whether Kai can make the trip, otherwise he will have to find someone to replace her.

Whatever you can give, I receive it as a blessing, and I am standing in faith and believing this will happen. Thank you for being part of Kai's journey.

With so much gratitude,

Leah