Ally Sidloski's GoFundMe collects almost $90K while goal was $5K, here's how the money would be used
Allyson "Ally" Sidloski's death has left her parents, friends and close ones grieving. The University of Cincinnati soccer star drowned in William Harsha Lake at East Fork State Park in Ohio on Saturday, May 22, 2021, after she reportedly jumped into the lake without wearing a life jacket.
The body of the 21-year-old Cincinnati Bearcat women’s soccer team member was discovered by search crews on Sunday, May 23 morning. Tribute and prayers started pouring in for the talented young woman and 'angel'. The GoFundMe page created by the family is now also way past its goal.
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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reportedly said that Sidloski was last seen hanging onto the swim platform of a boat before disappearing into the water, according to WLWT. She was not wearing a life jacket. The department added that investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Sidloski is survived by her parents David and Tracie and two sisters, Katie and Nicole.
Tributes pouring in
Head soccer coach Neil Stafford said that Sidlosky was known as a "great student" and a "gritty and resilient" player on the pitch. “Ally was such a pillar of everything that’s right about our program,” Stafford said. As a "great student", she was named a 'TopCat scholar' multiple semesters for having a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
“I am absolutely crushed for the Sidloski family, our soccer team and the university,” head soccer coach Neil Stafford said. “There’s no words for dealing with a tragedy on this scale.”
“Our Bearcats family has suffered an extreme loss,” John Cunningham, the school’s director of athletics, said in a statement. “We send all our prayers, love and support to the Sidloski family and will do everything we can to support them and our student-athletes as we all process and work through this tragedy.”
GoFundMe page surpassed the goal
Ally's mother Tracie shared the GoFundMe page plea titled '#WePlayFor3 Ally Sidloski Memorial Fund' in which she calls her daughter 'sweet Angel Ally'.
"Our Angel Ally touched the lives of so many people," Tracie said. Posted two days ago on May 25, 2021, the fundraiser has received the prayers and condolences of thousands of people. Many people shared their sympathies and prayers for the 21-year-old when making donations. "There are no words in which can remove the pain, but the love and support when we all come together in honor of Ally’s spirit is evident," a user wrote. Another wrote, "Our hearts are broken for you. A beautiful young life taken much too early. Find strength in the Higher Power and the support and love of your many friends and family."
At the time of this writing, the page had surpassed its goal of $5,000 and raised $89,121 from 1.3K donors.
Ally Sidloski's 'legacy'
On the page, Ally's mother wrote how the family wants to put to use the money they raised. "We would like to help her legacy live on by creating scholarships in her name."
"As she stated herself, "Life is about the people who come together to support you and love you through it all." We appreciate your love, prayers, and any donations to help support the remembrance of our sweet Angel Ally," Tracie concluded the plea.
Someone presumably close to the 21-year-old wrote, "Ally was loved by so many and she instantly lit up every room she walked into. Her smile was so contagious to all of those around her. Her legacy will forever live on as she looks down upon your family and all of those she loved. You are all in our thoughts and prayers #WePlayFor3"