This year marks the 20th annual double-elimination tournament to begin on Wednesday, September 18, at Odell Park in Franklin. With over $49,000 raised for local charities in the prior 19 years, plans for the 20th annual Franklin Savings Bank Charity Softball Tournament are now underway.
The one-week tournament welcomes co-ed teams with teammates ages 13 and older. Last year, the 2012 tournament hosted a record number of co-ed teams. Sisti Law Offices was crowned the tournament champions after defeating second place winners, Franklin Savings Bank. Succah Punch took home third place honors.
Others that put up a good fight for the good cause were: Byron’s Septic, Beauchine’s, Bickford’s Landscape and Design, Chrissy’s Paw Spa, Delta Dental, Dirty Dogz, Elektrisola, Harbour Enterprises, Merrimack County Department of Corrections, PatrAngie Mold, Patrick’s Pub and Eatery, Park ‘N Go Swingers, and Watts Water Technologies.
Voting for the charity of choice to receive proceeds from this special 20th tournament year took place at Franklin Savings Bank and on the bank’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/FranklinSavingsBank. The votes have been counted, and this year’s tournament proceeds will benefit Central New Hampshire Chem-Free after-prom and after-graduation celebrations.
Organizations receiving donations from the Tournament in years prior include: local walking trails and rail trails (including the Northern Rail Trail, the Winnisquam, Opechee, and Winnipesaukee Trail, the Winnipesaukee River Trail, and the Odell Park River Trail); local homeless shelters; local food pantries; the American Cancer Society; American Red Cross; local DARE programs; Franklin VNA and NANA; local Hospice programs; Lakes Region Habitat for Humanity; Make-A-Wish New Hampshire; the New Hampshire Task Force to Prevent Child Abuse; the Relay for Life; the American Diabetes Association; the Aaron Robert Risley Memorial Scholarship Fund; Mix 94.1 FM Cash-n-Cans; local animal shelters; the MacDonald Family Scholarship Fund; and the Odell Park concession stand rebuilding effort.
All proceeds are earned through the $150 team entry fee, concession stand profits, and donations. Additionally, a significant amount of the charity donation comes from the annual raffle. Donations of items and gift certificates from community individuals and businesses are more than welcome and are currently being collected. In exchange for the donation, FSB will gratefully acknowledge all donations with public recognition.
The Franklin Savings Bank Charity Softball Tournament began in 1994 after a discussion about a charity tournament being held on MTV. Each year since, the tournament has had an overwhelming response, with many teams returning each year and new teams asking to join in the fun.
More information and tournament updates will be posted at FSBNH.com and at Facebook.com/FranklinSavingsBank. You can also follow the Franklin Savings Bank Charity Softball Tournament on Twitter at Twitter.com/FSBsoftball.