by Bea Peterson
Karen McGovern fought a valiant battle with cancer over nine years ago. She lost her battle, but her memory lives on in the Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament held every year at The Sand Bar. Funds raised at these tournaments are used to assist Hoosick residents fighting cancer. It can cover prescription and household bills, transportation to doctor’s appointments and treatment centers or help with any other financial needs they might have. This ninth year the tournament raised $12,000, the same as last year. With the state of the economy, the group had scaled back expectations to $10,000, so they were pleasantly surprised by the results. During break time Karen’s father Bill said, “$10,000 is a drop in the bucket for cancer research, but it does so much good in this community.” He estimates that over the years the tournaments and other contributions have reached over $100,000. Eight teams and many spectators participated in the September 13 event.
Bill Johnston Honored
Each year a cancer survivor showing Karen’s tenacity in fighting the disease is honored. This year George Holbrook had the privilege of introducing Bill Johnston. He said he and Bill have had a great business and personal relationship for 40 years. He said Bill has undergone radiation and chemotherapy and continued to do his legal work with a smile. He said it was a pleasure to be able to honor him in this way. He also noted what a great job the McGovern fund is doing in helping the community.
Bill managed a humorous quip or two, then said. “I represent those souls that go before me and after me. This is not about me.”
“Our faith, our religion is what sustains us when we go through times of illness. Illness only affects your physical being, not your spiritual being.” He said he believes a soul’s job after death is to reach a nearness with God. “By honoring the soul of Karen McGovern, by doing good for others, you are assisting Karen to get closer to God.”
This year Ron Jones shared his memories of Karen. He described her as a wonderful, strong person with an upbeat spirit who rose up even stronger in the face of adversity. He spoke of a Christmas party he held when he asked everyone to bring an ornament for his tree. Karen’s ornament for him was an angel. “Every year I pull her angel out of the box and place it at the top of the tree, and my family gets to think about Karen,” he said.
Mahar Funeral Home Honored
This year Tim and George Smith of the Mahar Funeral Home were honored for their support of the Karen McGovern Fund. When a bereaved family is unsure of which charity they would like to receive memorial contributions, the brothers often suggest the McGovern Fund. Those supplemental donations add much to the Tournament funds.
Lisa Ferrannini, one of the event organizers, said next year will be the 10th annual tournament and it will be huge!