THIRD ANNUAL GULFSHORE INSURANCE - MINNESOTA TWINS CHARITY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT Written by: Phoebe Pelot; Pictures Provided by Gulfshore Insurance
Tears mingled with smiles as a seven-year-old cancer patient caught the first pitch, and spectators cheered on local teams as they played through a series of intense games. This was the start of the Annual Gulfshore Insurance/Minnesota Twins Charity Softball Tournament in support of the American Cancer Society.
At a Fort Myers Chamber networking lunch in 2008, a Gulfshore employee was introduced to Jack Nelson, the Minnesota Twins Spring Training Coordinator of Community Relations. When the idea was mentioned for a fundraising tournament, Nelson immediately asked if the Twins could get involved. Since two of the owners of Gulfshore Insurance, Brad and Greg Havemeier, hail from Minnesota and grew up watching the Twins, the two organizations immediately joined forces and the rest is history.
“I don’t think there is a single person in the USA who hasn’t had a friend or loved one affected by this disease,” said Nelson. He knows firsthand the trials cancer patients and their families face. After the second tournament in 2009, Nelson discovered he had kidney cancer. “This struggle has made me even more compassionate and empathetic toward people with any debilitating disease that affects their quality of life.”
On November 20th, Gulfshore is set to host the Third Annual Charity Softball Tournament at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers. The 24-team round robin format, co-ed, slow pitch tournament has drawn generous support from local companies, including Specialists in Urology, Arthrex, Raymond Building Supply, Stock Development, Clear
Channel Communications, Fireservice Disaster Kleenup, Honda of Fort Myers, and TWC Services, Inc.
This year’s event will feature a special Survivors Ceremony to honor cancer survivors in our local community, as well as a Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to loved ones who have battled the disease. The tournament goes beyond the facets of an ordinary softball event, and provides an exciting and unique atmosphere for all participants, their guests, and cancer survivors attending the event. The American Cancer Society is the single beneficiary of the event, with all monies raised being used to help fund research, education, advocacy, and service programs that save lives and ultimately eliminate cancer.
“The growing success of the Gulfshore Insurance/Minnesota Twins Charity Softball Tournament is a testament to the integrity of the local companies that participate and support the event. We have a genuine responsibility to contribute to the overall well-being of our community,” says Brad Havemeier, President of Gulfshore Insurance. “The event offers the unique opportunity to witness what is possible when we unite to serve a greater cause.”
If you are interested in registering a team to play, donating goods, services, or raffle prizes, or are a cancer survivor interested in participating, please contact Tammy Delgado at Gulfshore Insurance, 239-435-7137.
www.GulfshoreInsurance.com /
www.TwinsBaseball.com
PULSE MAGAZINE
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