submitted by Pat Hayes
On Saturday, September 7, the 14th Annual Karen McGovern Volleyball Tournament was held at the Sandbar in Hoosick Falls. As always this was a well attended event, and 11 teams took part in the tournament.
[private]Each year the Karen McGovern Committee honors a person within the community who has battled cancer or another life
threatening illness. The honoree is chosen because he or she holds the same qualities Karen McGovern herself personified throughout her struggle with cancer – courage, perseverance and graciousness. Karen was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 1998 and passed away in 2000. She was 32 years old. This year’s recipient was Don Armstrong. Don has always been an avid supporter of the Karen McGovern Fund, initiating, organizing and participating in the annual Motorcycle Poker Run. At this event money raised is donated to the fund and is matched by funds from the St. Stanislaw Society. This Poker run has raised over $5,000. Over the last few years Don himself has been battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He has shown great courage and dignity in his battle. While Don was unable to attend this event, his wife Donna accepted on his behalf and read a statement from him. His friend, Ron Hall, presented the Karen McGovern fund with checks totaling over $1,600 dollars this year from St. Stanislaw and the Poker Run.
A certificate of Appreciation was presented to Ashley Constantino for her work on two very successful Fashion Shows that she organized with proceeds benefitting the Fund. She has raised over $4,000 for Karen’s Fund. A plaque was also presented to Immaculate Conception Parish for its support of the Rural Rensselaer County Council and The Karen McGovern Fund. For the last 20 years the Parish has allowed the Council to have office space in the Parish rectory.
Over $10,000 Raised
The tournament raised in excess of $10,000 in sponsors, individual donations and volleyball fees this year. Of that money, $1,000 was raised at the Tournament by a 50/50 raffle and an auction. The raffle and auction money has been donated to The Second Chance Animal Shelter in Shaftsbury, VT, in memory of Molly McGovern Hoyt, (Karen’s sister) who passed away in August.
Another exciting addition to the activities taking place this year to build the Fund was a raffle for a handmade quilt. The quilt was made by area quilters Diane Ahrberg, Nancy Chase, Carol Gatus, Margaret LeStage and Margaret Uebelacker. These women have had family members with cancer or have battled the disease themselves. The quilt showcased many highlights of the Hoosick Falls Area. The raffle made over $3,500.
Thank You
The Karen McGovern Fund wishes to recognize the McGovern Family, the owners of The Sandbar, Trish and Mike Bloomer and their staff for a wonderful day, Browns Brewing for our locally brewed Brown’s Pale Ale, all our sponsors and auction item donors. A special thank you to Delight Cullen and Laura Reynolds for their time, talent and treasure in the day to day operation of the fund, which includes distributing checks, writing thank you notes and keeping everything running smoothly. There are no administrative costs in the running of this charitable cause.
The Karen McGovern Fund provides needed financial assistance to those individuals and/or families struggling with cancer or long term and life threatening illnesses. If you know of someone who may be in need please call Delight Cullen at 518-686-5064. If you would like to donate to this cause you may send your donation to Karen McGovern Fund, P.O. Box 132, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090.
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