JACKSON – The James Volpe Foundation will hold its annual James Volpe Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament and Family Day on Aug. 8 at the Holbrook Little League complex on Bartley Road.
For the fifth consecutive year, from the moment the Wiffle Ball tournament begins at 10:30 a.m. to when the festivities come to an end, there will be activities for everyone in attendance, said Rob Meleo, the foundation’s spokesman.
The event is described as a “giant block party” and Meleo said, “We are hoping to encourage as many families as we can to come out and join us and have a great time.”
Admission is $5 for individuals age 6 and over.
The family event is held to honor the memory of James Volpe, who died in a motor vehicle accident in May 2011. Volpe was a senior and a member of the baseball team at Jackson Memorial High School at the time of his death.
During the family day portion of the event, attendees will be able to enjoy children’s rides, face painting, live music, raffles, gift basket auctions, silent auctions, psychic readings, massage therapy and other entertainment.
A buy-in for the home run derby will be open to anyone who is willing to take a swing at some Wiffle balls.
Food, drinks and a beer garden will be available during the day.
Meleo said all proceeds from the Wiffle Ball tournament and family day will go to community organizations and to individuals who are facing a specific need.
“While this is a fundraiser for the foundation, it really is about being a family event and getting people together,” he said. “We are trying to price [admission] as family friendly as possible and hope that through the generosity of our guests, sponsors and supporters we can continue to raise funds … to help others and to give back to the community in James’ name.”
Some of the ways the proceeds will be used include providing financial support to grieving families and assistance to Little League organizations and high school sports organizations, according to Meleo,
The nonprofit foundation has also used funds raised through the annual Wiffle Ball tournament and family day, as well as an annual golf outing, to provide scholarships to high school seniors, supply holiday gifts and food to less fortunate families and to support a Students Against Drunk Driving chapter at Jackson Memorial High School.
A scholarship for an incoming freshman at Kean University was created and funded as a result of the foundation’s events, Meleo said.
James Volpe had been planning to attend Kean.
According to James Volpe’s father, Anthony
Volpe, the foundation’s focus on sports related activities and benefits stems primarily from his son’s love of baseball and other activities.
“Whenever there was a family function, a Wiffle Ball game always broke out and James was right in the middle of it,” Volpe said. “He loved playing and being with family and friends, so this event really means a lot to us.”
Registration for a three-person Wiffle Ball team is $20 per person, which includes T-shirts, family day admission for the team members and prizes. For more information, visit www.jamesvolpefoundation.org