Approximately 35 players, both young and old, came out to the ball field in Somers Point on Sept. 17 for the third annual Wyatt Strong Foundation fund-raising softball game. Friends and families filled the stands and many passersby stopped on their way along the bike path to see what was going on. Although it’s a competitive event, the mission is all about fun and raising money for a good cause.
Two local sponsors, ShopRite and Manco and Manco of Somers Point, helped out once again, for the second consecutive year. ShopRite provided water and healthy morning snacks, while the wonderful people at Manco and Manco had a stack of fresh pizza pies delivered right at the end of the last inning.
The event raised $1,500 that was then donated to another local non-profit organization, Heart of Surfing, that offers surfing and other recreational activities for kids with autism and other developmental disorders.
The next event for the Wyatt Strong Foundation is right around the corner, the fifth annual Blue Christmas Toy Drive.
“We will be collecting new toys for children’s hospitals, local foster children and families in need,” explained Rob and Desiree Hopkins (Wyatt’s parents) “We put out collection bins at businesses and workplaces all over South Jersey and have hand delivered the toys as far as St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.”
The Wyatt Strong Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that honors the beautiful life of their son, Wyatt Hopkins who passed suddenly in 2017. Their mission is to help others, and continue to spread the unconditional love Wyatt had for others.
To learn more about the Wyatt Strong Foundation visit www.OldSoulWyatt.org
