At Team IMPACT, we know that the strongest communities are built by individuals and organizations who are committed to lifting each other up—on the field, on the court, and far beyond. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate our collaboration with 1st Alliance Volleyball Club, a group that’s using the power of sport to make a real difference in the lives of children and families in their community.
The collaboration between Team IMPACT and 1st Alliance goes deeper than sport. It’s personal, passionate, and driven by shared values. Our very own Midwest Regional Board Chair, Terra Fuller, is part of the 1st Alliance family—her daughter plays for the club—and it’s clear that giving back is in their DNA.
This past season, 1st Alliance Volleyball Club led a Team IMPACT t-shirt fundraiser, with all proceeds going directly to support our mission of getting all kids in the game. The players and families rallied around the cause, showing just how powerful it is when athletes of all ages come together to create impact beyond the scoreboard.
“Partnering with Team IMPACT this past year was such a meaningful and valuable experience for our athletes,” said Meghan Keck, Positions Lead Coach/Recruiting Director at 1st Alliance. “At 1st Alliance, we want to do more than just build volleyball players. We want to teach our players that they as athletes can be impactful to their community and even to others outside of their community. Partnering with Team IMPACT is a great way for our players to see a small sample of the kind of an impact they could have on others.”
From the courts of 1st Alliance to college arenas nationwide, those in the volleyball community are spreading awareness of Team IMPACT’s work and helping raise critical funds to support new matches, community events, and leadership programming for our student-athletes.
But the giving didn’t stop there. Over the holidays, 1st Alliance players took part in a heartfelt card-writing project, creating custom holiday cards for Team IMPACT kids in the local area, furthering the connection, hope, and reminder that their team extends far beyond the sidelines.
These handwritten cards became small but powerful bridges between young athletes and their peers, reinforcing the values of empathy, leadership, and community that both Team IMPACT and 1st Alliance champion.
“We hope that their involvement [with Team IMPACT] could spark something in each of our players to want to do more. We’re hopeful our partnership showed them the meaningful work that Team IMPACT does and provided them with the resources to take the next steps to do more,” Meghan said. “Whether they are graduating from high school and want to make an impact on their college team, or they have a family member or friend who could benefit from what Team IMPACT provides, we hope this partnership gives our athletes the pathway to want to do more.”
1st Alliance teamed up with the Beth Dunlap 18 Foundation, a foundation created to honor the life and legacy of former 1st Alliance player Elizabeth Dunlap. 1st Alliance’s dedication to Team IMPACT and the Beth Dunlap 18 Foundation further reinforcing the shared mission to uplift young lives through sport and service. By working together, these organizations are not only honoring Beth’s legacy—they’re helping to build a culture of compassion and purpose that inspires everyone involved. “Our club has always valued the fact that we can be more than just a ‘club’ for our players,” Meghan said, emphasizing the shared values of Team IMPACT and the Beth Dunlap 18 Foundation and how what you learn while playing a team sport like volleyball extends far beyond the court. “We have the ability to impact their lives beyond the volleyball court. By providing our players with a community and teammates they can connect with, we feel we can be a valuable part of their journey in life.”
At Team IMPACT, we believe sports can be a platform for something much greater. And with partners like 1st Alliance Volleyball Club, we’re reminded that age is no barrier to leadership. These young athletes are learning that community service, compassion, and character are just as important as practice and perseverance.
To everyone at 1st Alliance: thank you. Thank you for your energy, your generosity, and your unwavering belief in the power of team. Together, we’re building something stronger—one match, one moment, one gesture at a time.
