A group of Central High School softball players invited to the Vice President’s Residence in Washington, D.C., next week far exceeded their fundraising goal just a day after asking their community for help.

As of Friday, the Central High School Parent Advisory Council had raised nearly $18,000 for the trip, after accepting the invite from Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this week. It’s more than the initial goal of $15,000 and enough to cover travel for four team co-captains, two coaches and the athletic director.

Central Principal Cherise Ayers said she was overwhelmed by the community’s generosity.

“I’ve told a few people like there’s a tear in my right eye that it’s just been there. All day long,” she said. “It’s … a testament to how much people feel connected to Central and how much people love Central.”

Now the question remains whether more members of the team will be able to travel to the nation’s capital. Ayers said trip organizers are looking into whether they can bring along additional members of the team, but so far they haven’t determined who else might come or the exact cost.

It isn’t just a matter of paying. There’s also the challenge of logistics presented by getting a large group ready to travel by next Tuesday.

“It’s all a very quick turnaround, but that being said, we are hoping to take a few more girls,” said Ayers, who noted they don’t plan to take the entire team.

After exceeding its initial goal, the advisory council’s GoFundMe set a new goal of $20,000. The nonprofit is seeking donations from alumni and local businesses. The fundraiser is called “GIRL POWER! Central Softball goes to D.C.,” and can be found at gofund.me/dbefa8c3.

St. Paul Firefighters Local 21 donated $5,000 and $2,500 came from an anonymous donor. As of Friday afternoon, there were more than 257 donations.

The money will pay for airfare, hotels meals and transportation. The initial plan called for the softball team’s four co-captains, athletic director Alicia Ekegren, head coach Haley McFarlane and assistant coach Shakia Wilkerson.

They’ll meet with Harris next Wednesday at the Vice President’s Residence on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Harris invited the Central softball team to Washington after she paid them a surprise visit on March 14 during their practice at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center.

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