Volleyball for Charity has been a Southside staple in the volleyball community since the first event in 1981. The event was organized each year by the Clark Family and a dedicated group of individuals who held the cause near and dear to their hearts. After running the tournament for 35 years and donating over half a million dollars to worthy local organizations, the original committee decided it was time for them to retire.

For their final year the committee approached the Oak Lawn Park District, who recently put a large addition on the Community Pavilion giving the facility a total of 8 volleyball courts. They asked if the park district would agree to donating the court time in order to help them achieve their donation goals. The park district agreed and a great partnership was born. 
 
After the 2015 tournament the park district reached out to the VFC Committee to make a proposal. Why not allow the Oak Lawn Park District, in cooperation with the Special Recreation Athletic Support Association 501c3 (SRASA), to take over the tournament? The VFC committee agreed and the rest, as they say, is history. 

 It’s been an amazing experience to partner up with all these amazing volunteers and players, some of whom have participated in the tournament since day one!  We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to take on this challenge and become a part of the VFC legacy. We hope to continue this great tradition for many years to come.   
In 42 years of fundraising over 1,797 teams have played in the tournament and  the countless people who have supported VFC by playing volleyball and/or attended the after party. We are proud to say that we have donated the proceeds to charitable organizations including: Elim, Misericordia Homes-Heart of Mercy Village of Chicago, Blue Cap School of Blue Island, Seroma Center, Garden Centre Services and Park Lawn School and Activity Center of Oak Lawn. These organizations provide care and services to infants, children, adults and senior citizens with physical and intellectual needs. VFC has donated $563,729.83 over the years and all money raised has been donated to these great organizations with VFC taking no fees or commissions.

Volleyball for Charity will always be hosted in loving memory of Robbie Allen Clark.  Please click here for information about Robbie, the Clark Family and the VFC origin story. 

About VFC

The Volleyball For Charity officers are:

​John Sansone - President 

Karen Schmidt - Vice President 

Ray Lippert - Treasurer 

Sheila Kendryna - Secretary 

Dan Linde - Director 

As of January 1, 2016, Kevin Clark
(Founder of Volleyball For Charity) 
transferred all responsibilities to the
 Oak Lawn Park District in partnership with SRASA.