| It
is time for Richmond-area residents to once again
duck and dodge to raise money for local charities
and to win fabulous prizes, including free Chick-fil-A
food for one year, at the Third Annual Chick-fil-A
Charity Dodgeball Tournament. This year’s event
returns to the Greater Richmond Convention Center
on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 and will benefit the Children’s
Miracle Network-Richmond and the Schools for Niger,
Africa Fund.
The
NTELOS Wireless Youth Tournament portion of the event
for middle and high school aged youth will once again
be played in conjunction with the general adult tournament.
Additionally, this year’s Chick-fil-A Charity
Dodgeball Tournament will be a part of the national
Duck-n-Dodge dodgeball circuit.
“The
Duck-n-Dodge national dodgeball tour was created to
highlight great dodgeball events like the Chick-fil-A
Charity Dodgeball Tournament here in Richmond,”
said Jon Lugbill, executive director of the Richmond
Sports Backers, a non-profit sports commission dedicated
to building a more vibrant community through sports.
“We have heard from our counterparts throughout
the country that this tournament is one of the best
organized and largest dodgeball tournaments in the
nation.”
tIn
2006, more than 200 teams braved the courts to raise
more $88,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond
and the Schools for Niger, Africa Fund. This year,
organizers expect to draw 400 teams in middle school,
high school and adult divisions and have set a fundraising
goal of nearly $100,000.
“We
are excited to once again host the Chick-fil-A Charity
Dodgeball Tournament,” said Jody Wetherill,
Tournament Director. “During the last three
years, this tournament has attracted athletes from
states throughout the region to produce exciting action.
However, we are most proud of the fact that the Chick-fil-A
Dodgeball Tournament has raised much needed monies
for two exceptional local charities.”
Top
level Red Ball Sponsors for this year’s tournament
include Air Tran Airways, E-Z Box Convenient Portable
Storage, Victory Lady Fitness Centers and Pearson
Auto Group. Additional sponsorships are still available,
and interested groups are encouraged to visit www.chickf-fil-arichmond.com
for more information. All sponsor funding and net
tournament proceeds will be split equally between
Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond and the
Schools for Niger, Africa Fund.
Since
1983, the Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond
has been dedicated to improving the level of pediatric
healthcare in central Virginia by supporting Children’s
Hospital and VCU Children’s Medical Center.
Over the last 24 years, the organization has helped
more than 150,000 children in the Richmond community
by donating more than $3.1 million to both hospitals.
The
Schools for Niger, Africa Fund endeavor began in 2004
when local Chick-fil-A restaurant Operator Howe Rice
challenged his restaurant team members to raise funds
to benefit the people of Niger, Africa. In the past
two years, his team members have raised enough funds
to build a church and drill a water well, and the
money raised from the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball
Tournaments have been used to build much needed middle
schools in Niamey and Maradi. Building these schools
is the missing link in educating the next generation
of Nigeriens who provide hope for a nation in crisis.
Teams
that wish to participate in the Chick-fil-A Charity
Dodgeball Tournament (Adult Division) or the NTELOS
Wireless Youth Tournament (Middle School and High
School divisions) may register at www.chick-fil-arichmond.com.
Each team must have six-10 players. Registration opens
August 20 and will coincide with the launch of the
new Chick-fil-A Richmond website. For more information
on the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament, please
contact us via email or for information related to
the Duck-n-Dodge circuit, visit www.duckndodge.com.
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