Kids & Family

Softball Tournament Raises $10,000 for Children's Specialized Hospital

Playball for Miracles is making miracles happen, one-pitch at a time

Playball for Miracles, a charity softball tournament and community fun day, raised more than $10,000 in its eighth year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals' local beneficiary, Children’s Specialized Hospital.
 
The eighth annual Playball for Miracles charity softball tournament was held Saturday, Aug. 25 and is a stand-alone event that began in 2005, when founder Erin Kelly-McGuinness decided to raise funds for the organization after a family friend, Patrick Macnab, was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder. Erin started the tournament to raise awareness for Patrick’s disease and all other illnesses affecting children.
 
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Erin, and her staff, for all of their efforts into making Playball for Miracles so successful,” said Phillip Salerno, III, president and chief development officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. “We know their efforts and fundraising success has a direct impact on the 19,000 children with special needs we serve each year.”
 
The tournament has two divisions — men’s, won this year by the Razorbacks, and coed, in which the Tad Pools took home the championship trophy.  In 2005, six local adult, men’s softball teams gathered to play in the first tournament.  In 2006, the tournament doubled in size.  Over the course of eight years Playball for Miracles has raised more than $80,000 to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals beneficiary, Children's Specialized Hospital, with the help of generous sponsors, such as Elizabeth, NJ Firemen’s Federal Credit Union and the Amateur Softball Association.
 
Children's Specialized Hospital is the largest pediatric rehabilitation healthcare system in the United States. It is the preeminent provider of rehabilitation for children with special needs, serving children affected by brain injury, spinal cord dysfunction and injury, premature birth, autism, developmental delays, and life-changing illnesses. Children’s Specialized has nine sites in New Jersey.
 
This fundraiser is much more than a charity softball tournament.  A rather impressive list of donations were made from local businesses, sports teams and other venues, and then raffled off to participants.  The Somerset Patriots sent their mascot, Sparkee, to entertain the crowds. The Ultimate Game Truck arrived and provided video game entertainment.
 
“Playball for Miracles is always evolving, looking for ways to get more people and players involved, and constantly looking for ideas on how we can expand our efforts,” said tournament founder Erin Kelly-McGuinness. “With our partnership with the Somerset Patriots, we have already added an Annual Miracle Night at TD Bank Ball Park, and are looking to add other activities that will keep Playball for Miracles in the spotlight all year long.”
 
The ninth annual Playball for Miracles charity softball tournament is scheduled for May 4, 2013.  For more info, please contact Erin Kelly-McGuinness at playball4miracles@yahoo.com
 
Children’s Specialized Hospital is the preeminent provider of rehabilitation services for children with special needs. The hospital serves children affected by brain injury, spinal cord injury, premature birth, autism, developmental delays, and life-changing illnesses. Children’s Specialized Hospital has nine sites in New Jersey and treats 19,000 children each year, making it the largest pediatric rehabilitation system of its kind in the nation. Services include outpatient services, acute rehabilitation, and long-term care through its sites in Bayonne, Clifton, Egg Harbor Township, Mountainside, Toms River, Fanwood, Hamilton, New Brunswick and Roselle Park as well as outreach programs in many communities.  Children's Specialized Hospital is a proud member of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation supports the programs and services of the hospital. The Foundation is ranked among the top six pediatric hospital foundations in the country. To help, or find more information: visit www.childrens-specialized.org; find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @ChildrensSpecNJ.
 
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.


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