Walnutport Playground Association

1. How many years has the game been held?
This will be the 22nd year of the event.
The first game was held in 1996.  Games were yearly through 2011. There was no game in 2012.


2. How did it begin?
The event was started by Gary Andrew.  The below info is taken from his obit.  Gary Andrew passed away in May 2013.
Gary was an active board member of the Walnutport Playground Association since 2001.   He began his career in baseball as a PIAA umpire.  He was the head coach of the Northern Lehigh Connie Mack Team, and helped form the Northern Valley Connie Mack Team. He was a former president of the Northern Lehigh Baseball Association, and began as an assistant coach for Northern Lehigh JV team.


3. What inspired the event?
The event was inspired by the ability to help children who are seriously, chronically or terminally ill receive funds for different things from items needed to make home-life better to a dream vacation.
This will be my 3rd year organizing the event.  In 2016 we raised $5,000 and in 2017 we raised $6,000 to be donated. 2018 raised $7,200 and 2019 we had an exceptional year with $11,115!!!
Gary Andrew organized the event from 1996-2011.   
Julie Williams organized the event from 2013-2015
 

4. What is Dream Come True's history?
The below info is taken from their Website.
Dream Come True, an all-volunteer organization, was founded in 1984 by local businessman Kostas Kalogeropoulous as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization which seeks to fulfill the dreams of children who are seriously, chronically and terminally ill and reside in the Pennsylvania Greater Lehigh Valley Area.


5. How did the Blue Ridge Chapter come to be?
The below info is taken from their website.
In March of 2004 Kostas Kalogeropoulous and Fred Reinhard, President of Pencor Services, Inc., signed a charter formally establishing the Blue Ridge Chapter of Dream Come True.


6. What is your role in the organization?   
Board member and former Softball coach.

7. How many businesses/organizations are expected to donate?
Last year we had 177 contributors and donors. This year we hope to reach 200.

8. How many have donated in the past?
Large donors from the last two years are Loikits Oil & Heating, Rentschler Chevrolet/Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, Diggity Dogs & More, and Tri-County Team Wear.   Last year we had 63 business donate and 114 people bought raffle tickets or made a cash donation.


9. What kind of preparations were made to make this year's game better than before?
Contacting more businesses for doantions.


10. Is there anything else you would like to add that was not previously mentioned?
This event is successful because of the generosity of our many donors, participants, volunteers, and people in attendance.  
The event would not be possible without the volunteers consisting of my family, Filchner Family, Kuhns Family, Treskot Family, Julie Williams, team coaches, and all other volunteers. 
 

The address for the event is: 215 Lincoln Ave., Walnutport, PA 18088.

Please mail any donation to:
Walnutport Borough Playground Association C/O Eric Heiney
1133 Arbor Lane
Slatington, PA 18080

The Blue Ridge Chapter serves the following areas:
Carbon County- Entire County
Lehigh County- Slatington Borough, Washington Township Northampton County- Walnutport Borough, Lehigh Township Monroe County- Polk Township, Chestnuthill Township, Eldred Township, Hamilton Township, Ross Township Schuylkill County- McAdoo Borough, Kline Township, Rush Township, West Penn Township, Tamaqua Borough, Coaldale Borough

 

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