By Jessica Hoover
Journey Lutheran Ministries is conducting its third annual wiffle ball tournament benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation at 10 a.m. Aug. 10. The tournament supports a local child with a day of double-elimination wiffle ball games, a silent auction, a raffle and food.
“We try to get as many teams to play as possible,” said Becky van Sliedrecht, communications manager for Journey Lutheran Ministries, 10401 E. 116th St. “We’ve averaged about 10 the past two years, and we hope to get 12 teams this year. There are double-elimination wiffle ball games that go on throughout the day. We declare a winner and there’s a trophy.”
Proceeds will go toward granting the wish of Gavin Hatheway, a 12-year-old from Indianapolis who wants to go to Walt Disney World. Hatheway has an aggressive form of cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, which is cancer of soft tissue, connective tissue or bone.
“Each year we’ve hit the goal of how much is required to send a child on their wish,” van Sliedrecht said. “His wish is to go to Florida to Walt Disney World. He also enjoys playing video games and hanging out with his friends. We hope to see him at the event.”
The team registration fee is $35, and participants must be 16 years or older. Registration includes a T-shirt, raffle ticket, goodie bags and food. There also are sponsorship opportunities between $100 and $1,000. For more or to register, visit journeylutheranministries.org/wiffleball-2019.html.
“People want to be a part of something that makes a difference in people’s lives. In this case, it is a child and his family,” van Sliedrecht said. “It’s a great event and it’s different than other events in the Fishers and Hamilton County area. Our only goal is to support a child and his family, and nothing else. People like to know that they are giving to that and seeing the difference that they made.”
