Wonders and Worries and the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation recently teamed up to host a dodgeball tournament showdown at the Westlake Athletic and Community Center. More than 200 students in grades five through twelve stormed the court with dodgeballs to raise funds and promote awareness of the missions of both organizations. “Dodge for a Cause” raised nearly $15,000.
Players and families kicked off the day with a breakfast buffet from Maudie’s and kept their energy up with lunch from Cabo Bob’s and Pluckers.
Participants were divided into junior (fifth through eighth grade) and senior (ninth through twelfth grade) divisions. Twenty-one teams, each consisting of seven to ten players, dodged, ducked, and dove in fierce competition. First-, second-, and third-place winners received medals, candy-filled trophies, and cash awards. Every participant received an event t-shirt provided by sponsors.
In addition to the on-court action, attendees participated in an exciting raffle that included Jon Hart bags, Pluckers gift cards, and cash prizes.
Laura Townsend, who is the Executive Director of the Louise H. Batz Safety Foundation, said, “Dodge for a Cause is a lot of fun, but it also does a lot of good. Our youth board of high school students helped organize the event, and their leadership really showed. Seeing our community come together to support patient safety and families facing serious illness means everything to us.”
“The outpouring of community support for the inaugural Dodge for a Cause Dodgeball Tournament, benefiting the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation and Wonders & Worries, was more than we could have imagined, and we are incredibly thankful,” added Brent Metschan, Executive Director of Wonders and Worries.
The mission of Wonders and Worries, founded in 2001, is to provide free, professional therapeutic support to children and teens whose parents are facing a serious illness or injury.
The Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation was founded following the death of Louise Batz from a preventable medical error in 2009. Their mission is to empower patients, families, and healthcare providers to work together as a team to improve patient safety. They provide education, create awareness, and support efforts of advocates and organizations to eliminate preventable harm.
To find more information about Wonders and Worries, please visit wondersandworries.org.
Visit louisebatz.org to learn more about the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation.
