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Weekend Hot Ticket: Softball Marathon at Fenton City Park

Fenton resident holds 100-inning softball marathon to raise funds for Fischer House at the VA Medical Center

Holding a softball marathon to benefit the families of veterans in need of medical care is the least he can do, Cory Smith says.

The 24-year-old Fenton resident is holding a 100-inning softball tournament from 9 am to 10:30 pm Aug. 6 at Fenton City Park to raise funds for the St. Louis Fischer House at Jefferson Barracks. The Fischer House, a non-profit organization, was established to provide a place where family members of veterans being treated at the medical center can stay free of charge.

“These guys give so much, and while people can always talk about doing something, it's really not what you say but what you do,” Smith said. “I do a couple of fundraisers a year, one of which benefits the Ronald McDonald House around Christmas, and I always wanted to do a 100-inning softball marathon and give the proceeds to the soldiers.”

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Smith said his research led him to Fischer House, built on the grounds of St. Louis Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks two years ago. The house is located within walking distance of the medical facilities.

There are currently 54 Fisher Houses at 21 military installations and 17 VA medical centers with eight more houses under construction or design. Each Fischer House can accommodate 16 to 42 family members and feature a common kitchen, dining and living rooms and a laundry area. The living rooms include a library and toys for children. The houses are also handicap accessible and include elevators.

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Filling a Soldier's “Wish List” for Fischer House also is a priority for Smith. He is asking for donations ranging from non-perishable food items to kitchen and dining room items and other household needs.

Registration for teams is $200 per team and all players must be 18 years or older. All teams are co-ed. Each team can have up to 25 players with a minimum of five female players. In addition, individual and small team registrations are also being accepted at $10 per person. The registration includes T-shirts, Anheuser-Busch draft beer and Gatorade for participants only.

Team registration on game day begins at 8:30 a.m. and games start at 9:30 am at Fenton City Park, 1215 Larkin Williams Road, just across from Riverside Golf Course.

Team Pledges, one of the main sources of raising funds through the marathon, can be made with the goal of the players getting pledges of at least $1 per inning played, Smith said.

Raffles and give-aways will be held and donated items for the Soldiers Wish List will be accepted during the marathon. Concession stands will be available offering hot dogs, bratwurst and hamburgers with all proceeds will go to Fischer House.

To register a team in advance or for more information on team and game rules contact Smith at 314-402-0546 or at corysmith@isccontracting.com.

A Soldier’s “Wish List”

  • Large Projects Needing Funding - Outside play area for children
  • For the House - DVDs; cleaning rags; luggage racks
  • For the Guest Suites - Lysol disinfectant wipes
  • For the Supply Cupboard - Dishwasher detergent; hand soap
  • For Guests - Individually wrapped travel size toiletries (toothpaste & toothbrushes, shower gel, sewing kits, etc.); restaurant gift cards; magazine and  newspaper subscriptions; admission to local attractions
  • For the Pantry - Non-perishable food items (coffee, canned items, rice, etc.); grocery store gift cards
  • For the Laundry - Liquid detergent for High Efficiency washers; liquid fabric softener and bleach for High Efficiency washers
  • One-Time Only - Family friendly games for Wii Game Console; universal cell phone chargers; desktop computers
  • For the Kitchen/Dining Room - Table linens; place mats; kitchen sponges; baking dishes; serving bowls; serving utensils; baking utensils; trash bags
  • Holidays - Holiday decorations
  • Writing Materials - Pens, pencilsm scratch pads, stationery, sticky notes, scrapbook materials
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