Union City, LeBoeuf communities take it to the mats to help a loved teacher battle cancer

UNION CITY — Two communities are teaming up to help a local teacher pay mounting medical bills.

Union City and Fort LeBoeuf school districts are sponsoring "Mats for Mar," a wrestling-themed fundraiser to benefit Marlene Kuzma. The Union City Elementary School special education teacher was diagnosed with brain cancer last fall.

Kuzma and her family live in Waterford, in the Fort LeBoeuf School District.

The Monday night event will feature scrimmage matches between elementary through varsity-level Bear and Bison wrestlers.

A dinner, raffles and concession sales during the event also will benefit Kuzma.

"Mar has been a teacher here in the Union City Area School District for 25 years. She is an incredible human being and is beloved," Union City schools Superintendent Matt Bennett said. "Monday's events will not only raise money for expenses not covered by insurance but, just as important, will show Mar and her family how much love and support she has in these communities."

More than 100 people have volunteered to take orders, serve meals, sell raffle tickets, make desserts and handle other chores for the fundraiser, Bennett said.

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Others donated more than 30 gift baskets and framed artwork by Waterford artist Jack Paluh to raffle during the event.

Fort LeBoeuf students designed fundraiser T-shirts. Local businesses paid for their printing.

"I really believe that this event will further enhance the sense of unity and solidarity that exists between our two communities, emphasizing the shared values of compassion and support during a very difficult time for the Kuzma family," Fort LeBoeuf schools Superintendent Rick Emerick said of the Mats for Mar campaign.

"As she continues her fight, our hope is Mar is positively impacted and inspired by the outpouring of care from our two communities. She is loved and we are behind her as well as with her during her ongoing battle," Emerick said.

Monday's events will be centered at Union City High School, at 105 Concord St., where rigatoni dinners will be served in the school cafeteria from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Dinners also will be available for takeout and can be ordered ahead, from 5 to 6 p.m., at 814-438-3804, ext. 5408.

The evening's wrestling theme is in honor of the Kuzma family's long-time involvement in and support of the sport, Bennett said.

Scrimmages by elementary-level athletes will be held at Union City Elementary School, 91 Miles St., beginning at 5 p.m.

All other scrimmages will be held at the Union City Area High School gym, beginning at 4:30 p.m. for middle school wrestlers; 6 p.m. for junior varsity boys and high school girls; and 7 p.m. for varsity wrestlers.

Admission is by donation.

Donations for Kuzma also can be mailed to the Union City Area School District Foundation. Send checks payable to UCASD Foundation, with "Mar Kuzma" in the notation line, to: Tara Lineman, 107 Concord St., Union City, PA 16438.

"We've already received one very generous donation, and we are extremely grateful," Bennett said.

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Contact Valerie Myers at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: School athletes take it to the 'Mats for Mar,' a well-loved teacher