United Way’s 6th Annual “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament
Outdoor Event Prevails Safely During Pandemic to Support Free Book Program
Spring Hill, FL – (January 4, 2021) – United Way of Hernando County’s 6th Annual “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament will safely be hosted on Saturday, March 27, 2021 sharply at 9am. Located outdoors at Anderson Snow Park, United Way will be taking extra safety precautions due to COVID-19 for the health and safety of the community.
“This competitive community event helps provide thousands of books every year to children enrolled in United Way of Hernando County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program,” said Angie B. Walasek, United Way of Hernando County’s Executive Director/CEO. “Every participant’s registration fee sponsors one child on the program for a full year. With 14 teams participating in February 2020’s tournament, we were able to enroll over 200 additional Hernando preschool children and mail out 2,400 extra books last year. That’s why we knew it was so important to continue on with this event in 2021. We take the health of our participants and the community very seriously. New safety rules will be implemented for the tournament moving forward during COVID-19. Masks will be provided to all volunteers and participants in small enclosed spaces such as the dugout or score box and temperatures will be taken the morning of. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up amongst the 4 fields for spectators and participants to use accordingly. We’re excited to be in the position to safely continue this event for our community and support early literacy by helping children grow their libraries.”
On March 27th, 16 teams along with their celebrity coaches will be competing for the Ultimate Traveling Trophy as the 2021 Kickball Champions. All proceeds from this tournament will benefit United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which currently provides over 1,000 Hernando children with a free book every month until the age of five. The books are mailed to the children regardless of their family’s economic status. Sponsorships are available for individuals or businesses interested in investing in a child’s future safely from afar. Please contact the United Way office today or email Impact@UnitedWayHernando.org.
Get involved! Volunteers are needed for this tournament. Sign up on Lend a Hand Hernando to help with scorekeeping or work at the raffle table to give away fun prizes.
For more information, visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Kickball
or call the United Way office at 352-688-2026.
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United Way of Hernando County, Inc.:
United Way of Hernando County (UWHC) was established as a 501c3 organization in 1987, and since then has continuously focused on creating partnerships and mobilizing our community to seek sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing local needs. UWHC strategically allocates Community Investment Funds in Health, Education, & Financial Stability programs with proven results and local impact. UWHC works hard to balance the growing demand for basic services such as food, utilities, and rent assistance, with our ongoing commitment to tackling the underlying causes of complex issues. United Way partners with businesses and organizations that share our vision for improving lives through the power of collective impact and working together. Our support for long-term commitments are essential to addressing key social issues, such as helping children, youth, adults & elders, encouraging health and wellness, including physical and emotional care, promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency, and crisis intervention. For more information on how YOU can LIVE UNITED, visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org.