Daily Times, In The Community: Women's Softball Charity Classic raises $8 grand
By HARRY CHAYKUN, Special to the Times
The Women's Softball Charity Classic, played at Father Nall Field in Ridley Township six weeks ago, raised $8,000 for the American Cancer Society.
"We're so happy that in the short time we had to put everything together, we were able to make a donation like that to help fight cancer, even though we didn't have a chance to do things like get together a lot of prizes and sell raffle tickets,” ASA of Pennsylvania District 6 commissioner Joe Organek said. "It was such a great weekend, and I was so glad to hear from so many people who said that everything about the weekend was a lot of fun. We're looking forward to even more participation next year so that we can really increase our donation."
Organek got plenty of help with the fundraising aspects of the tournament from Kathy "Stix" Moritz, Janet DiIorio, Tia Tuvesson and Pat Wolff, who sold plenty of T-shirts, 50/50 tickets and bracelets during the tournament. A Philly Phanatic gift basketball and dunk tank also pulled in sizable donations.
Brenda Smerigan and Keith Ford did a lot of work with the teams in keeping the tournament games on schedule, and all of the umpires who worked games donated their fees to the American Cancer Society.
Organek also credited field director Mickey McLaughlin with "helping get us back to Father Nall and doing a great job all weekend."
The tournament raised $10,562, and after expenses the committee had $8,000 to give to the American Cancer Society.
"The (softball) community gave endlessly, hour after hour each day, and never forgot the charity that this tournament is all about, for those who have been lost, for those who are fighting now, and for those who have won their battle against cancer," Moritz said. "One of the things everyone mentions is an idea Janet DiIorio started, the Memory/Honor Wall that lined the fences with pictures of the many people who have faced or are facing the battle against cancer."
"It helps to put faces and stories and meanings to all of this and remind everyone why we (are involved with) this charity. The American Cancer Society (restricted gift department) has assured us that all of the money we raised will remain in Delaware County … for the people we care the most about who are in need."
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