United Way of Hernando County’s 8th Annual “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament
United Way’s “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament
Food Trucks, Foam Parties, Bounce Houses, and so much more!
This tournament is proudly presented by United Way’s “Grand Slam Champion” Sponsors Kiwanis Club of Brooksville and Family Chiropractic. Each year, 16 Kickball Teams compete in this single elimination tournament for a chance to win the Ultimate Traveling Trophy and have the honor of being crowned “Champions of Early Literacy.” Teams are exclusively invited to participate and represent company partners of United Way in Hernando that align themselves with supporting local philanthropy.
Event Schedule:
- 12:00pm: Food Truck Rally & Touch-A-Truck event
- 1:00pm: Foam Party & Bounce House
- 1:30pm: Kickball Teams Check-In
- 2:45pm: National Anthem
- 3:00pm: Kickball Games Commence
- 5:30pm: Celebrity Coach Dunk & Pie a Deputy
- 6:00pm: Mascot Fun Run & Raffle Prize Winners
- 6:30pm: Championship Game on Field #3
The Kickball Tournament’s purpose is to support early literacy and continue to provide Hernando preschool children free books to help them grow their own little library and prepare them for kindergarten. All proceeds from this the “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament will benefit United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, currently providing over 1,050 Hernando children with a free book every month from birth to age of five. The books are mailed directly to enrolled children regardless of their family’s economic status.
This year’s Food Truck Rally, as of February, includes The Happy Camper Snack Shack, Spice Corner, Cali Street Tacos, The Ice Cream Barr, Potato Ballin’, Meat Stix, Nina’s Cucina, Brain Freeze Italian Ice, Love Corn Dogs, Go-Go Burger, The Nacho Wagon, and Pio Bori Chicken! Field Sponsors include HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, Holmes Drafting Services, Carter Foreman, PLLC, and Bravera Health of Brooksville & Spring Hill. Base Run Baller Sponsors, as of February, include Stuart Promotional Products, The Hardy Realtor Team, Micro Matic, Grow Financial, and Terlep Chiropractic. Publix is always recognized by United Way of Hernando County as an active Community Partner thanks to their ongoing level of support towards our mission. The Touch-a-Truck event features Monster Trucks, the ARGO amphibious vehicle used by Hernando County Mosquito Control, FOP truck, and first responder vehicles for children to enjoy.
In addition, each team is represented by a “Celebrity Coach” that leads their team all the way to victory. This year Celebrity Coaches will be challenged to bring in votes from the crowd to avoid going for a dip in the Dunk Tank. This family fun day will also include a Foam Party, music from PJ the DJ, a Bounce House and Carnival Games, Foto Fun Booth, craft vendors, and a special performance of the National Anthem by Hernando’s very own talented singer, Sarina Singh.
Fans and supporters of the event can purchase a “Double Play” Yard Sign for $52 (sponsoring 2 children onto the program) featuring their logo, baby/pet, or their family photo to be featured at the event. These Yard Signs and will be placed all over Anderson Snow as a scavenger hunt. Find your sign and take a picture and tag United Way of Hernando County and #Ballin4Books. Corporate sponsorships and vendor opportunities are still available, and local mascots are still being accepted for the Annual Mascot Fun Run.
A Spirit Night at Glory Days Grill will be hosted Thursday, March 23rd, where 20% of food sales will be donated back to United Way. Come meet the Celebrity Coaches who will be participating this year’s Kickball Tournament. Raffle tickets for some amazing prizes will be available online in March, as well as on-site at Spirit Night and the day of the event – a 10-foot Kayak with Paddle, Tampa Bay Ray’s tickets, and so much more.
Stay tuned for more Team & Coach announcements! Visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Kickball for information on event entertainment, participants, and opportunities. For more ways to GIVE, ADVOCATE, or VOLUNTEER for this event, contact Justine Peppe at [email protected] or call 352-688-2026.
