Chick-fil-A 4th Annual Charity Dodgeball Tournament
It is a day that will go down in PUNCH history as a miracle. The PUNCH team walked away from their third year of Chick-fil-A Dodgeball not as losers, not as kind-of-losers, but as winners. Sort of. They won five games out of eleven—a definite improvement to last year when only one game was won.
Teaming up with employees from 28 Media and Children’s Miracle Network, the PUNCH team took a few balls to the face and groin all to benefit Partnership for the Future and The Schools for Niger, Africa Fund. Held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on October 25, the 4th Annual Chick-fil-A Dodgeball Tournament brought in over $100,000 with more than 2000 players participating.
Sarah Shannon, PUNCH graphic designer and team spirit captain, says, “As a third year Captain, let’s face it, I really wasn’t aiming very high for our team based on past performances. If you’ve ever watched us play, the phrase ‘natural born athletes’ probably won’t come to mind. However, we ended up far exceeding our expectations, and as always we had a really great time. Fueled by our small handful of victories, we are already getting pumped for next year!”
With a focus on students from Richmond City Schools, Partnership for the Future began in 1994 to ensure that every motivated student with limited resources has a workplace internship in high school and is prepared to attend the college of their choice. In addition to the summer internship and development program, Partnership now offers year-round college prep, critical thinking, workforce development, and community building activities.
The Schools for Niger, Africa Fund endeavor began in 2004 when local Chick-fil-A restaurant Operator Howe Rice challenged his restaurant team members to raise funds to benefit the people of Niger, Africa. The money raised from the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournaments has been used to build much needed middle schools in Niamey and Maradi. Building these schools is the missing link in educating the next generation of Nigeriens who provide hope for a nation in crisis.
