Church Softball Teams Rally for a Good Cause

Batter Up! – Baypines District Superintendent Freddie Outlaw looks on as tournament coordinator Tony Caminiti provides last minute instructions for this year’s Eighth Annual Charity Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Tournament in Daphne, Alabama.

It was a great day on May 31, 2008, at the Eighth Annual Charity Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Tournament in Daphne, Alabama. Tournament organizers collected $2,710 in team fees, concessions and t-shirt sales to benefit the United Methodist Children’s Home.
 
Fewer teams participated in the event this year, but it was the largest collection in tournament history.

“We should know by now that God can do a lot with just a little!” said Jill West, Director of Development.

Donations as well as volunteer services helped to make the tournament a success. The umpires, Frank Conley and Chris Barton, donated a one game fee.

Amateur Softball Association District 10 Commissioner, Nelson Singleton, also donated the tournament sanction fee. “I try to funnel teams to this tournament because I know it is for a good cause,” said Singleton.

The City of Daphne also played a key role. Athletic Coordinator, Charlie McDavid, helped get the fields donated and lined.

The concession stand was organized by Musial Pearson, Recreational Director at Fairhope United Methodist Church and his wife, Deanna.
 
“Everybody responded very well and enjoyed doing something for the Children’s Home,” said the tournament’s organizer, Tony Caminiti.

The tournament’s first place winner was First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, led by manager Scott Key.

Second place was won by Daphne United Methodist Church. The team was led by manager Tyson Murray.

Fairhope United Methodist Church won third place. Tony Caminiti was the manager of that team.

Other teams that played were from Jubilee Shores United Methodist in Fairhope, led by manager Hawkins Thomas, and Christ United Methodist in Mobile with manager Bryant Simmons.

“We are hoping next year, these teams, and more will participate,” said Caminiti.

Summertime is busy for the children (and staff!) at The Gulf Coast Group Home

Submitted by Abbi DuBose, Group Home Supervisor of Gulf Coast Group Home in Milton, Florida

We had a very busy summer at The Gulf Coast Group Home!  We were blessed by many organizations and/or churches sponsoring camps for our girls to go to this summer!  There were lots of opportunities to have fun, make new friends, and learn new things as some of the girls attended either Girl Scout camp, Camp Alfa at Blue Lake, Camp Junaluska in North Carolina, and/or went white water rafting at Coker Creek in Tennessee! 

They ended the summer by participating with Woodbine UMC Youth week activities, and also completed a week long class at the University of West Florida on designing a web page.  Shopping trips, swimming and attending our local professional baseball team games also kept everyone busy, as well as trips to the library, visiting family, and celebrating 4 resident birthdays over the summer.   

School has now started and one of our residents is on the swim team, and plans to stay living at the group home even though she turned 18 on Aug. 23!

Local Church Bikers Worship at Sandy Chapel UMC, Cruise into Children's Village to Help Kids

Holy rollers – Bikers from Sandy Chapel UMC visit the Children’s Village in Selma for their annual bike rally.
 
The roar of motorcycles surrounded the Children’s Village in Selma on July 27, 2008 for the Fourth Annual Bikers’ Sunday. Sandy Chapel United Methodist Church in Centreville, Alabama, organized the rally and donated $1500 to the United Methodist Children’s Home.
 
“The rally is always the last Sunday in July and it has grown each year,” said W. Glenn Walker, the church’s pastor.
 
The Village was host to over 60 people and 37 motorcycles. The children received gift bags from the bikers and were also able to sit on the bikes and talk with the participants.
 
“The kids dressed in their matching t-shirts and enjoyed walking around, looking at the bikes and meeting all the bikers,” said LuAnne Wages-Smith, Chaplain at The Village.
 
The annual charity ride began with worship service at Sandy Chapel UMC with the Sunday offering being donated to the UMCH. Walker added that non-bikers are also welcome to participate with the group.