Kickball For Kids History
Kickball for kids originated in 2006 when a family friend struggled with a facial hemangioma. To help support frequent medically necessary trips to New York, family and friends formed a committee to organize a kickball tournament.

On an early fall afternoon, 10 teams paid an entry fee to participate in the single elimination tournament. If a team was out or waiting to play later, players and families stay entertained with volleyball, cornhole and a picnic lunch. Donated items served as raffle prizes, Nelson’s chicken and donated baked goods satisfied hungry players and filled donation buckets. By the end of the day every dollar earned was awarded to the family to support them during their time of travel.

Whoever said it’s better to give than to receive was right! We had such a great day, we knew after all the kickballs were returned and chicken consumed that we would be back again.

The following year, we raised money for a family keeping their terminally ill daughter at home. A year after that another family received money for insurance as they prepared long term planning for their daughter with special needs.

In 2009, our 4th year, we raised money to support Braden, 9 year old son of Ken and April Nixon. A life long Westville resident, Braden has cerebral palsy, dystonia as well as chronic lung disorder. The support for that tournament helped the family acquire a wheel chair lift for their van and a generator for their home to protect against power outages which otherwise render Braden’s medical support equipment inoperable.

In 2010, we raised money to pay for special developmental education to better prepare Logan Salyer for his scholastic career.