Posted by Joe O Link: The Times Herald Sports
on 8/17/2008, 12:00 am
65.78.48.68
The Times Herald, Sports: Locals to play for a worthy cause
By: MATT BRETZIUS, Times Herald Staff
NORRISTOWN - Area softball players will have a chance to showcase their skills while supporting a worthy cause, as the 2008 Daily Local/Sunoco Charity Challenge Women's Slow Pitch softball tournament is set to be held Aug. 23 and 24 at the Norristown Softball Complex.
The two-day tournament is open to any Amateur Softball Association registered team in Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks counties. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
The team entry fee is $150. There will also be a Charity Challenge raffle ticket for sale for $5 each.
"We use all volunteers, and this has been said to be the largest fundraiser in the region to be run purely by volunteers," said director Joe Organek. "We want to raise a good amount of money, all while creating awareness of cancer. Awareness can save lives."
The raffle has six prizes that include two tickets and airfare to the Eagles/Cowboys Monday Night Football game in Dallas, a trip to see the Phillies take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago and a Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend package that includes a Tiffany's heart pendant necklace and Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia collection. The drawing will be on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Organek has been running the raffle for 11 years and has raised more than $175,000 for cancer research in the process. He hopes to raise $25,000 this year.
"These prizes are really the best we've ever had. It's really six grand prizes," he said. "We want to make this tournament and raffle an end-of-the-year event in this community annually because it's a good way to make money for a good cause.
"Many people are touched by cancer in some way or another, whether directly or indirectly. We just want to bring teams together to join the fight against cancer."
The tournament will use both Heels and Simons Fields at the Norristown Softball Complex.
Those interested in registering a team for the tournament can contact tournament director Steve Dimitry at 610-539-9297 or Sully "Heels" Gelet at 610-277-9661.
Anyone interested in buying or selling raffle tickets can call Dimitry or the American Cancer Society at 610-692-2074.
The Men's Charity Challenge will be held in West Chester.
ŠThe Times Herald 2008
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