13th Annual Playball for Miracles was a homerun!
The 13th Annual Playball for Miracles softball tournament took place on Saturday, August 26th at Warinanco Park. This tournament, run by Erin Kelly-McGuinness, has raised over $120k for Children’s Specialized Hospital through the years! This year featured both a co-ed tournament and the first annual Chief Kelly Memorial Matchup in honor of Elizabeth Fire Chief, Lou Kelly, Erin Kelly-McGuinness’ father. Chief Kelly passed away in December 2016, while responding to a fire in Clark, NJ. He was always a fervent supporter of Playball for Miracles with his credit union, Elizabeth NJ Firemen’s Federal Credit Union, being a top sponsor of the tournament. It was a beautiful addition to the day in his memory.
Joining the Elizabeth NJ Firemen’s Federal Credit Union was the Macnab Family, the Sherrier Family, Kenilworth Fire Department, Amateur Softball Association and Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders as top supporters of the tournament. Wakefern Food and Jersey Gardens Applebees donated the food for the tournament.
Playball for Miracles was created in 2005, when founder and chief coordinator Erin Kelly-McGuinness decided to raise funds for the organization after a family friend, Patrick Macnab, was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder. Patrick was treated at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Erin started the tournament to raise awareness for Patrick’s condition and to raise funds for her local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Many Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partners and programs were a part of the day. Beyond Elizabeth NJ Fireman’s Federal Credit Union sponsoring the day, Costco Wholesale in Edison donated beverages, our Extra Life Vice President, Anthony Sytko, joined the Children’s Specialized Hospital co-ed team and Ramathon Dance Marathon leaders were volunteers! It was a great day to network the network!
Congrats to the Chief Kelly Memorial Matchup winners Union County Jail and runners-up Loaded Dynasty, as well as the co-ed tournament winners Mt. Holly Moose and runners-up Dilligaf. Thank you to all who were involved in making miracles…one pitch at a time!
