Submitted. Bats for a Cause tournament raises another $85,000 plus for BC kids
The sun was shining, players were smiling and the competition was fierce to see who could raise the most money for BC Children’s Hospital at this year’s Bats for a Cause tournament in Kelowna.
Now in its eighth year, the slo-pitch tournament is presented by platinum sponsor Prospera Credit Union together with media sponsor EZ Rock 101.5 and volunteers from the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary and Kelowna Adult Softball Association. With 22 teams registered in 2016, and close to 400 participants, the tournament continues to break its own records year after year both in terms of “fun” and “fundraising”. At the end of the two day tournament, organizers presented BC Children’s Hospital Foundation with a cheque for $85,864.80, bringing the tournament’s eight year total to over $385,000 for BC kids.
With both a FUN and SUPERFUN division, tournament founder Angela Burnell is committed to making sure everyone has a good time and that includes coming up with creative ways to fundraise.
“The fact that the teams are just as competitive in their fundraising activities as they are on the ball diamond is what keeps the energy going,” says Burnell. “This year teams were active as early as March, organizing bowling tournaments, book sales, casino nights, pub crawls, bottle drives and even a raffle for two tickets anywhere Westjet flies. Basically, anything they could think of to get a leg up on the other teams. Congratulations to the Fortis BC Power Hitters, who raised $10,800 and won the Top Fundraising Prize (an evening in the Prospera Credit Union suite at a Kelowna Rockets Game).
Once again this year, the credit union had three teams of its own in the tournament: The Inglorious Batters, Prospera Bears and the Prospera Delinquency Dodgers, who together raised over $21,000.
“BC Children’s hospital provides vital services to children and families in the Okanagan,” says Burnell. “We have a million dollar dream and every year we get closer and closer to achieving that goal thanks to everyone who comes out in support of Bats for a Cause, so thank you everyone.”
About Prospera Credit Union
Building on more than 70 years of history in British Columbia, Prospera Credit Union is proud to be a member owned co-operative with operations from Vancouver to Kelowna. As a full service financial institution that prides itself on building relationships, we serve our members through sixteen branches; online and mobile banking; and a locally-based contact centre. Through our membership in The Exchange network, our members enjoy access to more than 4,000 surcharge free ATMs across Canada (that’s right, no ATM fees).
Making life better for everyone is important at Prospera. With an extensive community investment program devoted to supporting the organizations, events and volunteers that make our communities stronger, Prospera makes a meaningful difference in the financial well-being of our members and our communities. To learn more, check out Prospera’s YouTube channel and Facebook page or visit the credit union’s newsroom online at prospera.ca.