BRATTLEBORO — On Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, volunteers will host the Women's Freedom Center's 20th annual “Glove, Sweat, and Cheers: Safe at Home” women's softball tournament at Living Memorial Park.
Teams from around New England will compete for top honors in two divisions in the double-elimination tournament. Games will be played on both the upper and lower fields in Living Memorial Park, beginning Saturday at 9 a.m. and continuing through Sunday afternoon.
Updated schedules will be posted at each field.
Organizers say this is a family-friendly event with no fee for spectators. The swimming pool will be open for those who need to cool down, and the park has several playgrounds for kids of all ages.
Funds will be raised through community sponsorships, team and player fees, raffle sales, snack and T-shirt sales, and a Saturday night dance party. Volunteers are welcome to pitch in on scorekeeping and concession sales. To volunteer, write [email protected].
A “Funk for Freedom” dance party is set for Saturday night from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Cue Bar, 747 Putney Rd. Light snacks will be served. DJs will spin funky tunes to keep the dancing going all night.
Pool is free, but a $5 minimum donation is asked at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Founded in the early 1970s, The Women's Freedom Center aims to end domestic and sexual violence against women and children by providing support to survivors and education for the community. Services include a 24-hour hotline, shelter for women and children, legal and medical advocacy, community outreach, and education.
All services are free, so volunteer-based fundraising is critical to the group's efforts. Last year the Women's Freedom Center said its Glove, Sweat, and Cheers tournament netted more than $4,000 for services. Organizers said they hope to surpass that total this year.
According to event volunteer Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald, more than 100 women will take to the fields this year to help support the important work of the Women's Freedom Center.
“We'll provide the gloves and sweat, but we need our community to turn out and provide the cheers,” she said.