SEGUIN TWP. – Humphrey School needed a helping hand, and Puck N Ball was there.
In a letter submitted to Seguin Township council at Monday’s meeting, school principal Wendy Childerhose asked the municipality to consider purchasing a set of snowshoes for the use of students. In response to the need, Mike Watkinson, organizer of the annual Seguin Puck N Ball tournament, stepped up and donated $3,000 to the school from the popular tournament’s proceeds.
This was the 18th year for Puck N Ball, which prides itself on reinvesting the money it generates back into local groups.
“Proceeds from our tournament stay in the community.
“The money came from the community, and we’ll put it back,” said Watkinson. “Everything we’ve done so far has gone back to the community.”
Local sports teams, the Salvation Army Toy Drive and the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters have all been recipients of Puck N Ball money in the past. Last week’s donation will be used to purchase lightweight aluminum snowshoes. The snowshoes will then become a part of the winter, cardio-vascular activities for the students.
In its almost two decades of operation, the Puck N Ball tournament has grown into an institution in Seguin Township. Between 24 and 26 teams take part in the tournament, with each playing two games of slow pitch baseball and two games of ice hockey.
The summer tournament also features live music and an always-popular beer garden.
Over the last three years, the tournament has funneled close to $40,000 into community organizations in the area.
For those organizations hoping to receive a donation from Puck N Ball in the future, there’s a simple way to jump to the top of the list - help out with the event.
“You get out of it what you put into it - that’s the way life is. You always have to put back,” said Watkinson.