Civic Students Donate Money to Shirl's Girls for Cancer Awareness

A group of civic-minded students from Manassas and Manassas Park have worked together this year to raise money for , a Manassas Park-based group participating in the Susan G. Komen Walk for the cure in September.

The ,  a community service and charity organization, raised some $200 for Shirl’s Girls, said Mary Morgan, a sponsor for thebranch of the team.

 The students raised money this year through fundraising partnerships with Speedy Green Car Wash in Manassas Park and Ledo Pizza in Manassas.

 The team wanted the money to go toward a local group dedicated to breast cancer research and awareness, Morgan said.

 Shirl’s Girls is just that group.

 The group is named for Shirley Beers, a three-time cancer survivor.  Shirley's daughter, Bobbi lives in Manassas Park and started the group in honor of her mother.

 The group has grown over the years to include women from all over the Manassas-area who will walk in September in the three-day breast cancer fund and awareness raising event.

 Shirl’s Girls has held events such as the to raise money for the entry fee for each its members to particapte in the walk.

 Tracy Holland, a Manassas Park teacher, accepted the donation on behalf of Shirl’s Girls.

 The Joe 15 Team was started by Debbie Page-Maples  and is named in honor of her son, Joe Page, who was gunned down by uninvited guests to a Super Bowl Party he attended on Feb. 3, 2008.

 He was airlifted to Fairfax Hospital where he died four days later.

 Page-Maples said she decided to start the group after seeing all her son's friends gathered in the hallway of the hospital as her son fought for his life.

The team, also named for Joe's favorite number 15, has a total of five branches at: Brentsville District High School, , , Manassas Park Middle School and Manassas Christian School.

For more information on Joe 15 Team visit the group's website. For more information on Shirl's Girls and the Susan G. Komen three-day walk, visit its website.