A day-long fundraiser for Chris Godfrey’s family raised over $10,000 on Sept. 16.
The fundraiser, which took place in the Chances Casino parking lot in Courtenay, included a barbecue, beer garden, silent auction and a full afternoon of live entertainment. The total proceeds of the event — $10,476.18 — will go to Chris’ wife Amanda Godfrey and her young daughter Faith.
More than 400 people attended the fundraiser throughout the day.
“Today is all about community coming together and doing what the Comox Valley does best — supporting a family that has had a tragedy,” said Kent Hockley, a regional manager for Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd.
“This is what being apart of a small town is about. I’d like to say it’s just the Comox Valley, but really it’s all of Vancouver Island that has come together.”
Chris Godfrey, 32, passed away Aug. 30 after being critically injured in a slo-pitch game at Lewis Park on Aug. 19. Godfrey was rushed to St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox after being struck in the back of the head by a thrown softball while running to first base.
He was then airlifted to hospital in Victoria, where he spent 11 days on life support.
“I’ve played slo-pitch my whole life, as many people have,” said Hockley. “It was such an absolute freak accident and it’s rocked the entire Valley and the entire Island. We have a way here to help out and I’m just proud to do what I can to help out.”
After the accident, the Comox Valley Slo-Pitch League implemented a new league bylaw making helmets mandatory. The rule change is now being considered by other slo-pitch leagues throughout Vancouver Island.
One of the attendees at Saturday’s fundraiser was Ashlee Young, a former class mate of Chris’ and a long-time acquaintance of Amanda. Like many others at the fundraiser, Young sported a slo-pitch jersey with “Godfrey” on the back.
“It was something that really impacted the community and this is a way to raise funds [for the family] and awareness of what happened in a fun way, which is something I think the community really needs right now,” she said.
Musical performances at the fundraiser included Juno award-winning Helen Austin, Shotgun Kelly and Amanda Usher, among others. Headlining the fundraiser was Completely Creedence — a CCR tribute band that recently performed for more than 2,000 fans at Simms Park.
The Sept. 16 event was one of several fundraisers for the Godfreys that have taken place in the Valley recently. A Go-Fund-Me page has raised nearly $50,000 so far.
Fluid Bar & Grill also hosted a burger+beer night for $15 on Aug. 30, with $10 from each purpose going directly to the Godfrey family.
The Comox Valley Slo-Pitch League donated $5,000 to an account set up at Coastal Community Credit Union for Godfrey. Other teams and groups have donated funds as well.