Archive: Around Town

It was a battle of the delivery companies as FedEx and UPS duked it out on the Lansing softball field last Sunday.  The two teams staged the game to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  "What really prompted it was that FedEx became part of the Relay For Life this year," says FedEx's Shelley Jackson.  "UPS's Rob Moravic came in.  We had talked about doing a softball game for years."

Moravic had the idea for a charity softball game ten years ago, but he says UPS was on strike that year, so nothing came of it.  The idea floated around, and Moravic persisted.  "This year I had a delivery for the FedEx counter," Moravic says.  "I mentioned it to them, and they thought it was a great idea."


Each team sent representatives to local businesses to solicit donations.  Home Depot, Wegmans, Community Bank, Fingerlakes Beverage, Pappa John's, Tops Food Market, Instant Replay Sports, Todd's Beach House, Toads II, Ithaca Produce, Ithaca Ice, Applebees, Jackson's Welding, Walmart, and Dick's Sporting Goods all responded with donations.  Additionally the teams sold barbecued chicken and 50/50 raffle tickets, and raffled FedEx and UPS logo paraphernalia.  "UPS sponsored our T-shirts," Moravic  says.  "Everything to put this together was sponsored or donated by somebody."

Relay For Life is an annual one day and one night event in which teams raise money to help fund cancer research.  It attracts 3.5 million people in 4,800 communities around the United States.  Locally it was held at Ithaca High School for eight years, and then moved to the Lansing High School track last year, where it will be held again this year on July 13th.  Teams raise money for the American Cancer Society by signing up sponsors and holding events.  Typically about 40 people walk all night, while the rest walk in shifts.  Last year the American Cancer Society singled out the Lansing event, sending a film crew to take footage to be used in their national campaign.


UPS had 20 players, and 15 on the FedEx side, including two teen children of FedEx employees.  Both teams were formed specially for this game.  Even the company trucks faced off in the parking lot, and there was brisk business at the barbecue.  "The game was a success with everyone having a great time," says scorekeeper Lisa Allen.


UPS won 34-13 this year, but the real winner was the American Cancer Society, because the two teams raised more than $1,600 with the event.  Both teams say they are eager to make the game an annual tradition.  "If it goes smoothly this year we're going to shoot for next year," Moravic says.

Jackson agrees.  "We hope to make it an annual event, she says.  "We're both excited about this."


----
v3i22