The crowd cheered on six local teams as players hit home runs to send kids to camp at the Children's Camps International (CCI) softball tournament last weekend in Winkler.
Nearly a week after the event, the final tally is in, and the tournament raised over $26,700. CCI Executive Director, Dave Thiessen, says this will send over 5,000 kids to camp in Asia and Southeast Asia, raising them up to be Jesus-centred leaders.
"What probably excited me when we started the games, was just seeing the community come together again," added Thiessen after the tournament took a break for a few years. "They came together, they had fun together and just all for a great cause. They're hitting home runs to send kids to camp and teams were cheering each other on as they did. That was a lot of fun."
Kendra Last was a player on one of those teams.
"I think it gives the game a lot of meaning because not only are we having fun, but we know we're making a difference in kids' lives across the World. It makes it fun and gives its a purpose."
The tournament was organized in partnership with Sixteen 13 Ministry, which provided a food truck selling lunch and supper throughout the weekend. According to its website, the goal of the ministry is to support organizations not just financially, but also in a practical and spiritual way, by sending teams of volunteers from the Pembina Valley, medical supplies and aid, school supplies, bibles, sponsoring children, building drop-in centres, and other forms of assistance.
Co-founder, Harold Espinosa, says sending kids to the Christian camps through CCI is crucial.
"With those Christian camps we also focus on giving Bibles. We focus on mentorship," he said. "Children across the World, especially in India where they (CCI) work the most, there is not much gospel when you compare how many people are in that country. But something is better than nothing.
What's cool about Jesus - his message is life-changing and when people need hope, that's when Jesus hits a home run."
Thiessen thanked the community for its generous support, says plans are in the works for the 2025 tournament.
With files from Abby Wall
