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Thank you to the slo-pitch community

I’m overwhelmed with how the community continues to rally together in tough times.

Dear Editor:

I’m overwhelmed with how the community continues to rally together in tough times.

Last weekend the Higher End Contracting Smokin’ Aces held their third annual Icebreaker slo-pitch tournament with proceeds going to a former Penticton ball player, Chad Bozak, who is fighting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The support was unbelievable from the business community donating towards the cause to the people who played in the tournament. Without pause they donated funds to Chad to help him in his fight against cancer.

Each year this tournament grows, and each year we see more and more people rallying to assist one of our own going through a hard time.

The tournament started after the sudden death of Scott Mullins, who left behind a wife and yet to be born daughter. We were blown away by the support we were able to give them because of those who donated.

Last year the cause hit even closer to home when one of our own teammate’s daughters (Myla Ganzeveld) was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Again, the community rallied to help the family. One year later and Myla’s scans came back clear — we have faith that next year Chad will come play in the tournament also cancer-free.

The Icebreaker tournament wouldn’t be possible without my amazing teammates on the Smokin’ Aces who willingly donate not only an entire weekend of being run off their feet to ensure the tournament goes off without a hitch, but also donate their time beforehand to help organize it.

Words cannot express how much we appreciate the players, volunteers, business community for their donations and the community at large who heard about the fundraiser and dropped in to give back. Thank you.

Chris Atkins, Smokin’ Aces

Penticton