The Comox Valley Women's Fastball League is hosting their 32nd annual Charity Fastball Tournament, which will be showcasing 13 teams from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 at Lewis Park in Courtenay.
Proceeds from this tournament will once again go toward various local charities and families in need. "In years past, recipients have included the Waichay Friendship Centre, Child Development Centre, Women's Transition Society and numerous local families facing difficult and trying times," said event spokesperson Tricia Muller.
"Spin-offs from our event also include a Friday Night Social being hosted by the CVWFL Slingerz at the Elks Home Lodge starting at 9 p.m. Admission to the social for tournament players will be $2 at the door and all others will be $5.
"There will also be a Silent Auction running all weekend in the Tsolum Building located at Lewis Park which will be hosted by the CVWFL TULS and the beer gardens are being hosted by CVWFL members who will be travelling to New Zealand to participate in the 2017 World Masters Games," Muller noted.
"Also, this year there will be a special tribute to Harry Lavoie on Lewis #1 at noon Saturday and the public is asked to help us pay the utmost respect to a highly respected and sorely missed member of the softball community and his family."
Representing the CVWFL are HDF Stealth, Slingerz and TULS. The remaining teams are coming from various parts of the Island, including Victoria and Nanaimo.
Muller said the CVWFL's goal is to raise at least $5,000 this year as that was the total raised last year. $550 was donated to Waichay Friendship Centre for the purchase of car seats, $2,000 to YANA for the purchase of computers for families to use while in Vancouver, $550 to Everyone Deserves A Smile as well as donations to Courtenay Elementary for their library, the replacement of an iPad for a young girl in the community who needs one for learning assistance and had hers stolen, the Oscar Fund to assist injured animals, and T-Shirts were purchased and distributed through Kit Out Kids who were collecting items in support of Ugandan Girls Softball.
"Prior years have seen the proceeds averaging $10,000 and we are hoping to once again be able to provide those kinds of contributions," Muller said, adding the public is welcome to drop by the park, enjoy some good fastball and support great local causes.
– Comox Valley Women's Fastball League