Spend Father’s Day weekend watching Green Bay Packer Mark Tauscher and his teammates play softball and help feed the hungry at the Ninth Annual Charity Softball (ACS) Tournament, June 18-20 at Fireman’s Park in DeForest. Sponsored by General Casualty Insurance Companies, this year the tournament will benefit Buckets for Hunger, Inc., an area organization working to eliminate hunger through sporting events.
“I have read that food pantry use has increased substantially over the last several years and that donations have been declining,” said Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Mark Tauscher. “This tournament is a great way to have fun and to help feed hungry people at the same time.” Tauscher serves on the Buckets for Hunger board of directors.
The tournament begins at 6 p.m. Friday and will feature 12 men’s and 12 coed teams. Tauscher and his teammates will play on the General Casualty men’s team at 2 p.m. Saturday. A benefit auction follows the game at 3 p.m. Fans can bid on Packer memorabilia and other items.
One lucky fan will win the opportunity to toss the first pitch of the game Tauscher will play in, be photographed and collect autographs. Raffle tickets will be sold from 6 p.m. Friday until 2 p.m. Saturday for $1 each or six for $5.
General Casualty/Tauscher’s team will play again at 7 p.m. Saturday if they win and 5 p.m. if they lose. Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the tournament. High Energy DJ will perform Friday and Saturday night from 8 to 12 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. The MetLife blimp is scheduled to fly over Fireman’s Park on Saturday afternoon between 2 and 4 p.m. The men’s and coed championship games are Sunday at 4 p.m.
“For the past nine years, Buckets for Hunger has tried to combine our love for sports with our passion to feed the hungry. This softball tournament with Mark Tauscher is another great example of a community and a group of volunteers looking to reach out a hand to help others in need,” said Wayne Bisek, president and founder of Buckets for Hunger.
Buckets for Hunger will receive all of the tournament proceeds. The family-run softball tournament has raised more than $58,000 in its eight-year history for charities including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society and Donald Driver Foundation.
“My family, the Derleins, and I organize the event because we want to give back to the community and help raise money for different organizations. How better to do this than with a sport we love – the game of softball?” said Janice Romine, tournament organizer.
Because of the raffle and auction, a public autograph/photo session with players will not be held.
For more information please contact Anne M. Smith.