“KICK” Start to Early Literacy Doubles In Size!

United Way’s 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament Makes Record Breaking Impact

Spring Hill, FL – (March 8, 2017) United Way of Hernando County's 2nd Annual "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament took place on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Anderson Snow Park. The Tournament was such a hit last year that it doubled in sized to a total of 16 Kickball Teams! The following businesses played single elimination rounds fighting for the ultimate traveling trophy: Publix, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Crystal Automotive, Bayfront Hospital, Monster Transmission & Performance, Regions Bank, SunTrust Bank, Children's Advocacy Center, and Chamber Young Professionals.

The Championship Game came down to Withlacoochee's “WRECing Crew” and returning champs from Publix at Brooksville Square #1132 “Just Kickin' It!” The final score was 5-1 with the reigning champs “Just Kickin' It” taking the gold and leaving with the ultimate traveling trophy and bragging rights!

Between donations, raffle prizes, BBQ sales, and registration fees, the Kickball Tournament brought in over $4,000 to benefit United Way's Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program. This program currently supplies over 1,400 Hernando children with a free book every month until the age of five. These books are distributed at no cost to the families, regardless of their economic status. As this popular program continues to grow, so does Hernando’s waiting list and need for additional funding.

Thank you to the United Way Board Members and volunteers for donating their time and Proud Partners from Pay It Forward Farm, United Cerebral Palsy, NAMI Hernando, Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired & Blind and Big Brothers Big Sisters for supporting United Way that day.

A special thank you to PJ the DJ from the Arc Nature Coast for providing music and to Frosty Bites shaved ice for cooling us down on such a hot day. (A portion of sales were also donated)

It’s safe to say that another successful Kickball Tournament is in the books! United Way looks forward to seeing you out at next year’s event.

For more information on sponsoring a child on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, call the United Way office at 352-688-2026 or visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org.

(Pictured below: 2017 Kickball Winners: Publix at Brooksville Square #1132 - Team “Just Kickin’ It”)