MEDIA RELEASE
April 10, 2025
Contact:
Angie B. Walasek, CEO Angie@UnitedWayHernando.org
Justine Peppe, CID Impact@UnitedWayHernando.org
Downtown Athletics Crowned Champions of Early Literacy
1,056 1-Year Scholarships Invested from United Way’s Kickball Tournament
Spring Hill, FL – April 10, 2025 – United Way of Hernando County’s 10th Annual “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament: Inspired to Read was Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Anderson Snow Park. This tournament was proudly presented by United Way’s “Grand Slam Champion” Sponsor Tampa General Hospital Spring Hill/Brooksville.
After a long afternoon with a high of 91 degrees, the final matchup came down between Downtown Athletics as “The Godfather” with Celebrity Coach Christina Sowers vs. Tampa General Hospital as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” with Celebrity Coach duo Jason & Amy Baldwin. It was a close and intense game, but in the end Downtown Athletics was crowned the 2025 Kickball Champions of Early Literacy. A “Best of the Worst” Redemption Round was also incorporated this year where Hernando County Schools as “WICKED” flew by the competition and took home the trophy.
Local businesses are exclusively invited to participate and proudly align themselves with supporting 
local initiatives. 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. Thanks to supporters of United Way’s "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament,
we were able to raise over 1,056 1-year scholarships, which is equivalent to 12,672 books! All proceeds
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.
Brijbag Law’s Brian Brijbag and Board of County Commissioner Ryan Amsler received the most votes for a dip in the Dunk Tank by attendees, though many other Celebrity Coaches followed suit when their team was eliminated from both tournaments. This family fun day also included music from PJ the DJ, a Scooby Doo Bounce House, cornhole & carnival games, Food Trucks, craft vendors, Bubbles ’N’ Foam, and a special performance of the National Anthem by local singer, Emma Roberts.
Thank you to the 20 participating teams and their accompanying Local “Celebrity” Coaches who competed in this year’s event:
- 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 Food Truck Rally proudly featured 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, Suncoast Credit Union, and Bubbles ’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, 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 40 cause-brand marketing yard signs from local “Double Play Sponsors” throughout the park that day. Our annual Mascot Fun Run was held on Field #3 at 11:30am. The line-up included 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, Sharky, Hernando County Professional Firefighters Velociraptor, and Hernando High School’s Leopard. Andy the Armadillo took home the gold for this year’s Mascot Fun Run Race!
In addition to Saturday’s festivities, the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce hosted their Resident’s Reception on-site with an additional 40 vendors. This partnership graciously donated $600 towards United Way’s Early Literacy Initiatives.
United Way would also like to thank Hernando County Parks and Recreation, United Way of Hernando County volunteers, and Kickball Planning Committee Members for generously donating their time, talents, and efforts to help make this event such a success. Thank you for always #LIVINGUNITED.
Visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Kickball for information on event entertainment, participants, and opportunities. For more ways to GIVE, ADVOCATE, or VOLUNTEER for our future events, 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.