10th Annual "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament: Inspired to Read

MEDIA RELEASE
March 20, 2025
 

Contact:
Angie B. Walasek, CEO Angie@UnitedWayHernando.org
Justine Peppe, CID Impact@UnitedWayHernando.org   

Inspired to Read Kickball Tournament
United Way Hosts 10th Annual “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament
 

Spring Hill, FL – March 20, 2025 – United Way of Hernando County’s 10th Annual “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament: Inspired to Read is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever. Save the Date for Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Anderson Snow Park - 1360 Anderson Snow Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34609. This tournament is proudly presented by United Way’s “Grand Slam Champion” Sponsor Tampa General Hospital Spring Hill/Brooksville. This year, United Way has expanded to 20 Kickball Teams who will compete in this single elimination tournament for a chance to win the Ultimate Traveling Trophy as “Champions of Early Literacy.” Local businesses are exclusively invited to participate and proudly align themselves with supporting local philanthropy.

The Kickball Tournament's purpose is to support early literacy and continue to provide Hernando preschool children free books to help them grow their own little library and prepare them for kindergarten. All proceeds from this the "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament will benefit United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, currently providing over 1,100 Hernando pre-school children with a free book every month from birth to age of five. The books are mailed directly to enrolled children regardless of their family’s economic status.

Event Schedule:

  • 10:00am: Food Truck Rally & Kid Zone Kick-Off
  • 10:30am: Kickball Teams Check-In
  • 11:30am: Mascot Fun Run
  • 11:45pm: National Anthem
  • 12:00pm: Kickball Games Commence
  • 12:30pm: Dollar Dunk-A-Thon Opens
  • 1:00pm: “Best of the Worst” Tournament Begins
  • 4:30pm: Championship Game on Field #3

In addition to the team line-up, each team will be represented by a “Local Celebrity Coach” to lead their team to victory. This year Celebrity Coaches will be challenged to bring in votes from the crowds for their support to avoid going for a dip in the Dunk Tank. This family fun day will also include music from PJ the DJ, a Scooby Doo Bounce House, Cornhole & Carnival Games, Food Trucks, Craft Vendors, Bubbles’N’Foam, and so much more!

Teams will be dressed in “INSPIRED to READ” themes. This creative initiative features popular movies based on best-selling books/comics. The 20 participating teams have been finalized and matched up with their “Local Celebrity Coach”, striving to be crowned the “Champion of Early Literacy”:

  • Hernando County Supervisor of Elections as “IT” coached by Denise LaVancher
  • Publix Super Markets at Brooksville Square as “Jumanji” coached by Clerk of Court & Comptroller Doug Chorvat
  • HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital as “The 3 Musketeers” coached by HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital CNO Sheila Sanders
  • Starbucks as “Alice in Wonderland” coached by Hernando YMCA’s Executive Director Kent Reiber
  • Publix Super Markets at the Shoppes at Glen Lakes as “Snow White” coached by Euphoric Ink Studio’s Co-Owner Charlotte Diaz
  • Hernando County Schools as “WICKED” coached by Hernando County Superintendent Ray Pinder
  • Old Castle as “TROY” coached by Board of County Commissioner Jerry Campbell
  • Downtown Athletics as “The Godfather” coached by CareerSource’s Christina Sowers
  • Tampa General Hospital as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” coached by HC Government/TGH Pharmacy Director Amy & Jason Baldwin
  • Timber Pines as “Legally Blonde” coached by Comfort Control Specialist’s Brandy Homan
  • Hernando County Tax Collector’s Office as “DC COMICS” coached by Amy Blackburn
  • Publix at Hernando West Plaza as “MARVEL” coached by Publix #1871 Store Manager Ashley Crisci
  • Publix at Mariner Commons as “Harry Potter” coached by Brijbag Law’s Brian Brijbag
  • Publix at Barclay as “Forest Gump” coached by Publix Supermarkets Associate Relations Specialist Brittany Montmarquet
  • Publix Shoppes at Avalon as “Shrek” coached by Board of County Commissioner Ryan Amsler
  • Rivera’s Flooring, Kitchens, & More as “Hunger Games” coached by Barrett Rivera
  • Coastal Engineering as “The Cat in the Hat” coached by PHSC’s Dr. Amy Anderson
  • Regions Bank as “The Great Gatsby” coached by City of Brooksville’s Mayor Christa Tanner
  • Publix at Lakewood Plaza as “Twilight” coached by Hernando County Emergency Management’s Director Erin Thomas
  • Hernando County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3460 as “Jurassic Park” coached by Hernando Fire Chief & Public Safety Director Paul Hasenmeier

This year’s current line-up for United Way’s Food Truck Rally includes Brea’s Coffee, Kona Ice, Pio Bori Chicken, Love Corn Dogs, Cole’s Concessions, Big Worley’s BBQ & Burgers, and Chick-Fil-A! Field Sponsors include Grow Financial, HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, SoFresh, & Carter Foreman, PLLC. Base Run Baller Sponsors include Family Chiropractic Center for Wellness, Micro Matic, Tropic Shores Realty, Kona Ice of Spring Hill, Hernando County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3760, Edward Jones, Pj’s Roofing, and Bubble’N’Foam. Publix is always recognized by United Way of Hernando County as an active Community Partner thanks to their ongoing level of support towards our mission. The Touch-a-Truck event features the ARGO amphibious vehicle used by Hernando County Mosquito Control as well as their new exhibit trailer, Fire Rescue’s Smoke Trailer & Ladder Truck, as well as first responder vehicles for children to enjoy.

Fans and supporters of the event will also notice over 30 cause-brand marketing yard signs from local “Double Play Sponsors” throughout the park that day. Find a sign, take a picture with it and tag United Way of Hernando County and #Ballin4Books. Our annual Mascot Fun Run will be held on Field #3 at 11:30am. The current line-up includes Plato the Dinosaur of Publix Supermarkets, Scoopie of Culvers, Smiley of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Boomer of Pasco Hernando State College, the Chick-Fil-A Cow, Andy the Armadillo of Texas Roadhouse, & Gopher D’Glory of Glory Days.

A Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse will be hosted Thursday, April 3rd from 3:00pm to 10:00pm, where 10% of food sales will be donated back to United Way. Come meet the Celebrity Coaches who will be participating this year’s Kickball Tournament.

Visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Kickball for information on event entertainment, participants, and opportunities. For more ways to GIVE, ADVOCATE, or VOLUNTEER for this event, contact Justine Peppe at Impact@UnitedWayHernando.org or call 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.