Competing for a cause
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CHARLO – Loren Erickson stood on the pitcher’s mound at the Charlo softball field under the hot sun itching to throw a fast pitch, but this game was all soft pitch, although she didn’t mind.
“This is for a good cause,” she said.
Five co-ed teams with up to fourteen players on each team started playing at 10 a.m. and continued into the evening to help raise money for Spur the Cancer Out of Montana, which is a local nonprofit organization raising money to help people battle cancer.
Many of the players, including Erickson, have been affected by cancer. She lost her mom – Mary Ann Erickson – to cancer a few years ago.
“Any sort of cancer cause is awesome,” she said.
Each team put in $250 to play. The winners were given Spur the Cancer T-shirts or hats, which was purposefully a small prize.
“We want to put as much money as we can towards the cause,” Leon Wieder said. “Anything we sell from T-shirts to cheeseburgers goes back into the organization.”
Wieder developed the organization four years ago in honor of his aunt after she passed away from cancer. With the help of volunteers, he has hosted many events to raise money to help people battle cancer. He is predicting that this is going to be a record-breaking year for the organization as far as money raised from different fundraising events during the year.
“We should make over $20,000 this year,” he said.
The money often goes to individuals with cancer.
“When someone gets sick, there are still mortgages and bills to pay,” Royelle Esterby said as she worked the T-shirt booth at the event. Profits from selling shirts, hats and sweaters are also used to help people. The gear can be purchased online.
“Spur the Cancer is a small town organization,” she said. “When someone gets sick, everyone knows and everyone wants to help.”
Annie Morigeau kept score during the game.
“Cancer effects everybody in some way,” she said. “It’s a nasty disease, and we just want to help. Leon has inspired us all to help.”
Jamie McClure has spent time coaching girls softball, but she hasn’t played in seven years. She said it was good to be back on the field.
“This is supporting a good cause with a game I love,” she said. “My mom loved the game, too. She passed away from melanoma cancer.”
Spur the Cancer is currently looking for someone with cancer that needs help.
“If anyone knows someone, they can contact us,” Wieder said.
The next fundraising event is scheduled for October. Wieder is organizing a fun run and chili cook-off.
Spur the Cancer information can be found on Facebook or at spurthecancer.weebly.com.
