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Contact: Bruce Bosley (bosleyb@comcast.net)
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Impressive Fundraising Highlights 2020 Travis Roy Foundation WIFFLE Ball Tournament
ESSEX, Vt. – An impressive fundraising total, successful social media activity and several great virtual events highlighted the 19th annual Travis Roy Foundation WIFFLE Ball Tournament that wrapped up this past weekend.
The tournament was different than the traditional format that usually takes place at Little Fenway, Little Wrigley and Little Field of Dreams in Essex, Vermont yet the 2020 edition raised $325,309 (as of 8-10-20), a very impressive figure during a pandemic. Over the tournament’s 19-year history it has raised over $6.4 million dollars.
All funds go to the Travis Roy Foundation that benefits and creates awareness for people with spinal cord injuries, and is named after the former Boston University men’s hockey player who resides in nearby Mallets Bay in Colchester each summer.
‘What a fun week we had,’ said Roy in his remarks Sunday in the annual money count announcement broadcast live on Pack Network (VIEW HERE). ‘I’m feeling a lump in my throat hearing all the familiar voices online all week since this tournament captures all your senses. It’s been sad not seeing everyone this year but I can’t thank everyone for making the most of it.’
‘The payoff for all the hard work all year fundraising and getting teams together is coming to Vermont to celebrate the weekend and feel the magic,’ added Roy. ‘We’re missing you greatly but the fact is we raised over $300,000 in the middle of a pandemic. Now we have this money to continue our research, issue our grants, and most importantly help individuals and families in need. What you guys have done to rally your teams and raise that kind of money to help us is exciting and is a huge relief. Thank you very much to all involved.’
Roy also acknowledged the impact of this summer’s TRF WIFFLE Ball Challenge, where many have participated by taking a swing with an official WIFFLE bat and ball, and posted their videos and challenges on social media (#BatterUpTRF).
‘Also thanks to those who participated in the TRF WIFFLE Ball Challenge,’ said Roy. ‘That too has raised some money but more than ever we raised awareness to our cause, and a lot of people had a lot of fun.’
The challenge, and donations for it, continues through the month of August with close to 300 so far participating, near the number who usually play in the traditional tournament.
In addition to Sunday’s money count was a conversation with former Sports Illustrated senior writer, E.M. Swift, co-author with Travis Roy of the best selling book, ‘Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage and Triumph’, that was the inspiration for Little Fenway founder Pat O’Connor starting the tournament in 2002. All of Sunday’s presentations can be viewed on the tournament’s YouTube channel (link above).
Along with the virtual presentations, replays of the last 10 title games and highlights from all 30-plus teams, an online silent auction, and a simulated tournament on the video game ‘MLB: The Show 2020’ was held. The E60: Buzz Unit held off The Point in Sunday’s thrilling championship game.
Several annual awards were presented Sunday recognizing extra efforts.
- Mike ‘Mojo’ Moshovetis of GoodFellas and Milton, Vt. earned the Most Valuable Player Award after exceptional fundraising
- For a tremendous effort producing all the virtual presentations along with 10 years of tournament broadcasts, Adam Polgreen of West Roxbury, Mass., co-founder and co-owner of Pack Network, picked up the Tommy Long Sportsmanship Award
- An originial captain since 2002, Art Page of the Boston Beef and Belmont, Mass. earned the Kim Trahan Fundraising Leadership Award
- By raising over $52,000, the Hardshells of Maine, made up of Travis Roy’s boyhood friends from Yarmouth, Maine, won its second straight Fan Club Award as the top fundraising team.
The 2021 Travis Roy Foundation WIFFLE Ball tournament is slated for August 13-14-15, 2021 in Essex, Vt.
Special thanks for the 2020 event go to: WIFFLE Inc., New England Federal Credit Union, The Essex Resort and Spa, Vermont Tent Company, Pack Network, Dunkin, Boston Red Sox, Shorepoint Capital Partners, Cotton Candy Connection (Matt Mullen), Pomerleau Realty, Bolton Valley Resort, Windjammer Group, The Wall Doctor, Smugglers Notch.
