A Challenge...

[MajorSoB]

First off, I haven't gone away, and you can count on me being around. I have taken a break in the past few weeks because of something more important than playing with toys and paints. I have been volunteering my time to help out with an upcoming softball tournament. It is being run by a coworker and it benefits some people other than myself. Here is a link...

www.facebook.com/events/379037428799616/

You see the tournament benefits people other than the ones playing. There will be prizes, there will be fun but that is not the reason that most will attend. The proceeds being raised are going to Camp Good Days and Special Times. I will be there all weekend when this event takes place ( Friday July 6th and Saturday July 7th) to do whatever I can be it run the scoreboard, help answer questions, whatever it takes. For the past several weeks I have been picking up donations from many local businesses in the Rochester area that are supporting the cause. So here are a few challenges to the community here:

1) If you are in the position to donate, please do. You can contact either myself or Joe Mondo through the posted link. Typical donations have been gift certificates that will be used as awards or as raffle prizes.

2) We will also be collecting new and used winter coats for The Open Door Mission. They can be brought to the field on the day of the event or if needed you can make arrangement through me.

3) Stop by on the day of the event and buy some food from one of the vendors. There proceeds are also benefitting Camp Good Days as well.

4) Make a private donation on your own. Would donating a few dollars out of you hobby budget hurt?

This is a cause that is dear to my heart. I lost my father 20 years ago to cancer. He was only 49. I have survived cancer as well, and so has my sister, who beat breast cancer just a few years ago. Take this challenge.

Thank you.

[norton]

I would double my donation if there was a player in one of those awesome space marine costumes on the field at all times...

Just saying.

As it stands though, I will still donate.

-norton

[MajorSoB]

Thank you to both Mike Norton and Shaun Kemp for their pledges. I will get together with both of you sometimes next week and work out the details. Again thank you!

To update, this past week I have been busy collecting donations that will be used as supplemental prize support as well as prizes in our raffle. The support that the Rochester community has show for this event has been overwhelming to put in mildly. After the event has concluded I will post a list of all who contributed. I urge everyone to support these business who have shown us their kindness and generosity in regards to this event.

Understand, its not too late to help. We have all our tournament spots filled but we are still accepting donations. What can still be used are prize donations for our raffle, gently used or new winter coats for the Open Door Mission ( again being collected at the field, or if needed I can pick them up as well) as well as monetary donations in the form of a check made out to Camp Good Days and Special Times. Again these can be dropped off at the field during the event or earlier with me.

Think it over. Help if you can. In the next few days most of the people here will spend $80 or more for a new book without thinking twice. I know I will. Would it hurt to also use a little of your hard earned money to help a sick child smile or give a coat to someone less fortunate than you? If you need value for your dollar, stop by and purchase some raffle tickets during the event. You may win something but you definitely will be helping someone in need. Food also is available and profits from these sales will also be donated to Camp Good Days.

The Rochester Softball Classic will run at McAvoy Park (corner of North Winton and Empire Blvd) on friday night of July 6th starting at 5pm and all day saturday, July 7th.

[MajorSoB]

As a final updated, I wanted to thank everyone who expressed interest in this cause and pledged to help.

Last weekend we held this event over three days. Outside of a mild shower on saturday morning, the tournament ran flawlessly. We raised a boatload of money for a great cause and provided a fun, competitive event for the 18 teams that played. Many prizes were raffled off from the 60 plus local businesses that donated support. As a result, on the evening of July 16th, a check will be presented to Gary Mavis who runs Camp Good Days in excess of $2200. Also 30 warm winter coats were also collected to help out those in need.

Thank you to everyone.