Minooka Community High School District #111

(Minooka, IL) – Minooka Community High School (MCHS) and Plainfield Central High School girls’ volleyball teams are hoping to score a lot of points on Thursday, October 8, 2026, to benefit Shorewood HUGS as they plan their annual “Hits for Hugs” fundraiser. There will be raffle baskets, shirt sales, and 50/50 raffle tickets sold at the event. All proceeds will go to Shorewood Hugs. The games will be played at MCHS starting with the JV game at 4:30PM and Varsity game at 5:30PM, with a ceremony to honor a local resident before warmups around 5:15PM.

The goal of the event is to raise enough money for several wishes to be gifted in the community. This year’s wish will be for a current student at Minooka Community High School.

In July 2026, Cooper's life changed in an instant. What began as a summer day at home turned into a fight that no 15-year-old should ever have to face. Cooper suffered a devastating spinal cord injury in a tragic swimming accident and was airlifted to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. There, Cooper underwent two major surgeries to realign his spine and repair the fractures in his cervical vertebrae. His spine was ultimately fused from C4 through C6. He then spent three long weeks in the intensive care unit, surrounded by his family, doctors, nurses, and countless prayers. For the next two months, rehabilitation became Cooper’s job. Every day brought another challenge, another exercise, and another opportunity to get a little stronger. Then came a moment his family will never forget—Cooper was able to walk under his own power as he prepared for the next stage of his recovery at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.

He has returned to school for his sophomore year while continuing outpatient rehabilitation and working to regain even more strength and function. Through everything he has endured, his positive outlook has never wavered. One of the hardest realities has been being told that he can no longer play football, the sport he loves. The hope is to bring a smile to his face during this very difficult time.

Shorewood HUGS is a nonprofit women's organization that works to make a positive impact on the lives of those in the community and surrounding communities, one hug at a time. They do this by hosting unique events and raising funds to fulfill wishes for those in need. To date, Shorewood HUGS have fulfilled over 1,300 wishes! Learn more at shorewoodhugs.org.

If you would like to donate to the game and cause, please email head varsity girls’ volleyball coach Carrie Prosek at cprosek@mchs.net for more information.