The 2nd Annual Caroline Symmes Memorial Celebrity Softball Challenge

www.IndyWish.org
2nd Annual Caroline Symmes
Memorial Celebrity Softball Challenge
Presented by The Tony Stewart Foundation
The 2nd Annual Caroline Symmes
Memorial Celebrity Softball Challenge
took place on Thursday, June 3rd at Victory
Field. The event was a tremendous success
with nearly 6,000 people in attendance, 50
Celebrity participants took the field in a
5-inning softball game to raise money for
ICWF. Robert Mathis, Defensive End for
the Indianapolis Colts was joined this year
by Roy Hibbert, Center for the Indiana
Pacers to co-host the game. At 7:00pm, in
front of very excited sports fans, Wish Fund
supporters and Caroline’s Corner, a section
filled with pink t-shirts in memory of Caroline, the Masters of Ceremony Anthony
Calhoun, WISH TV Sportscaster and Mark
Boyle, voice of the Indiana Pacers invited
Roy Hibbert’s Softball Sluggers and Robert
Mathis’ Home Run Hitters out to the field.
Each Celebrity introduced him or herself to
the fans, with Peyton Manning rounding
out the Celebrity line-up with an introduction that received a standing ovation from
the crowd.
Once all of the Celebrities were introduced, the game kicked off in patriotic style
with former members of the Indianapolis
Children’s Choir, Jessica, Jackie and Emily
Probst and Alexa Kapsalis singing The
National Anthem. Alexa is a big part of
our Wish Family as her brother Niso, who
was one of the batboys for the
evening, was also a Wish recipient.
After the National Anthem, David
& Elizabeth Symmes, parents
of Wish child Caroline, whom
this event was named after, were
introduced on the field. Caroline
was an integral part of our inaugural event as she helped create
the commercial and formed a
strong bond with Robert Mathis.
All participants and attendees
were there to honor the memory
of Caroline and all of our Wish
Families who face such difficult
challenges. David & Elizabeth
threw out the first pitch and the
game was then underway.
The teams were evenly split
between players and supporters
of both the Indianapolis Colts
and Indiana Pacers, along with participation from mascots, Pacemates, and other
local celebrities. The Home Run Hitters
consisted of team captain Robert Mathis,
Peyton Manning, Kelvin Hayden and Gary
Brackett to name a few of the Colts, Jeff
Foster, Josh McRoberts and Darnell Hillman of the Pacers, Ultimate Fighter Chris
Lytle, Radio and TV personalities Steve
Bray, Rich Nye and former MLB player
Ryan Thompson. The
visiting team, the Softball
Sluggers consisted of captain
Roy Hibbert, Dahntay Jones
and Danny Granger of the
Pacers, Dwight Freeney,
Joseph Addai, Pierre Garcon
and Jeff Saturday of the
Colts to name a few, Radio
and TV personalities Dave
Calabro, Chris Hagan and
Carlos Diaz of the TV show
Extra, with many more on
each team. Both teams had
a Wish Child serving as bat
boy, with Niso Kapsalis on the Home Run
Hitters and A.J. Stinger on the Softball
Sluggers. Along with the teams, we had two
Base Coach Sponsors, Dave Witzerman of
Wheaton World Wide Moving on 1st Base
and L.G. Edwards of American Funds on
3rd Base.
The 5-Inning softball game was full of
exciting moments and high competition.
Fans were highly entertained by these hometown Superstars and were also able to get autographs from many of their favorite players.
Games took place between innings such as
the hilarious “Dizzy Bat” game, along with
the Ruth’s Chris Sizzle Stretch, which kicked
off “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as the
crowd sang along and caught prizes from
Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
The most moving part of the evening
took place during a special rendition of
“Sweet Caroline”. The crowd joined in to
sing while a video of Caroline played on
the Jumbotron. The song concluded with a
huge pink balloon release in center field and
was incredibly touching, reminding everycontinued on page 2
Caroline Symmes Memorial
Celebrity Softball Challenge
continued from page 1
one why they had come out to the game.
Prior to the softball game, 1070 THE
FAN held the “Budweiser Home Run
Derby” and a special Kids Interactive Game
area was available throughout the evening.
The game concluded with a group photo
and fireworks in centerfield. This event is
a great opportunity for all; Wish families,
sports fans and the like have the opportunity
to watch their favorite athletes out of uniform while giving back to the community!
A special thank you to all of our Sponsors for making this event such a huge
success: our presenting Sponsor, The Tony
Stewart Foundation, along with Wheaton
World Wide Moving, Ruth’s Chris Steak
House, Reebok, ReMax, Grange Insurance,
Meet You at Arni’s Restaurant, Sharp Business Systems, Forum Credit Union, L.G.
& Alyce Edwards, Mo’s A Place for Steaks,
Dave Short & Century 21, Crown Liquor
& Ramsey Pyrotechnics. Also a thank you
to all of our Media Sponsors and Celebrities: WISH-TV, WIBC & ESPN The Fan
Radio, Channel 13, Channel 6, Channel
59, Q-95, X103 and Org Magazine!
Photographs by Org Magazine/Brad Haberman
CokeMarshTonyStewart
Beginning July 5th you can go to any
Marsh Supermarket in Indiana, purchase
your Coke products
and help Indiana
Children’s Wish
Fund grant many
more special wishes.
The Tony Stewart
Foundation has an
autographed postcard
from Tony that you
can purchase for
$1.00. We want
more wishes to come
true this year, then
ever before. Start
spreading the word
to family and friends.
There are over 100
children waiting on
2
wishes. Let’s work together and make this
happen!
Kids Helping
Kids
Woodbrook Elementary school’s entire
4th grade participated in a charity activity this year called “Future Tycoons” where
they created, produced, advertised and sold
greeting cards. Every year the 4th grade
students decide on a charity in which to
donate funds and Indiana Children’s Wish
Fund was chosen as the charity of choice for
2010! These 4th grade students were able to
raise $1,400.00 to help grant a wish. These
students take great pride in their company
and were all able to make their own greeting
cards, which included Thank You cards,
Happy Birthday cards and Get Well Soon
cards. The lessons are run by the students
themselves, along with a little help from
teachers. Not only did we receive the proceeds, but were also sent many of the cards
for the Wish Fund to use in the future!
New Palestine High school’s class of
Entrepreneurs created NPBay (instead of
Ebay) in order to raise money for Indiana
Children’s Wish Fund. The class of 300
set up their own website where individuals
could bid on items donated from various
Colleges and Universities across the country.
The students had to start from scratch in
order to create the website, the NPBay
business and
had to send
out letters to
the various
schools in order to collect
items. Once
they received
the auction
items, they
had to post
them online
and start the bidding process. Over the
course of the semester, the students were
able to raise $2,300.00 from their NPBay
website. Students, along with staff, families
and New Palestine residents could participate in the
bidding process in order
to raise money
for ICWF.
These teenagers are perfect
examples of
young people
giving back to
the community!
Monster Jam World Finals
Adam “A.J.” Stinger, a 10 year old from
Marion, who suffers from Leukemia, went
on his unique dream trip to the Monster Jam
World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada at the
end of March. A.J. and his family flew out
to San Diego to enjoy a few days with family
friends and then drove to Las Vegas to enjoy
the Monster Jam World Finals from March
25 – 27th, driver and celebrity autograph
sessions and meeting famous drivers such as
Dennis Anderson. They were also able to
enjoy the sites of Las Vegas, including a visit
to the Hoover Dam.
According to Tom Stinger, A.J.’s father,
receiving this trip was a dream come true
for his son. “A.J. had a fabulous time,” says
Stinger. “I personally want to thank Indiana
Children’s Wish Fund and their staff. Our
entire family enjoyed every minute of
the trip—from the limo that drove us to
the airport, the hotel accommodations to
experiencing up close and personal time with
Monster truck drivers—we enjoyed every
minute of our time in Las Vegas.”
“I love looking at all the pictures we took
at the Monster Jam event,” says A.J. “My favorite part of my Wish was meeting Dennis
Anderson—he’s awesome.” Monster truck
driver, Dennis Anderson, tours with the
USHRA Monster Jam Circuit, shoots videos
for MTV and TNT and is a favorite among
Monster Jam fans.
A.J., a fourth grader from East Brook
Washington Elementary School is a courageous and amazing little boy. His treatments
will continue through March 2011. He
remains in remission and has a very good
prognosis. According to Tom Stinger, A.J.
faces each challenge with bravery and determination. “We feel that through the generosity of others, the character built through the
difficult times and fun times, will follow A.J.
through his adult life. Thank you again for
your part in forming A.J.”
A Magical Visit to Disney World
In June of 2009, the Price family was
challenged in an unfathomable way, as seven
year old Corey was diagnosed with Burkitt’s
lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the white
blood cells. The family spent the rest of the
year fighting the disease with Corey in and
out of the hospital and undergoing chemotherapy like many of our precious Wish
families do when battling life-threatening
illnesses. In March of 2010 with a healthy 7
year old boy, the Price family took their wish
trip to Disney World as described below in a
letter from the Price family, which included
a personal note from Corey with drawings
of his favorite ride, the Rockit Rollercoaster.
Looking back on this past year we realized we have a strength we never knew existed and we are truly blessed – we now have a
healthy and active 7 year old boy who, when
looking at him on the outside, you cannot
tell he’s gone through chemotherapy, countless hospitalizations, shots and losing his
precious hair in the summertime. He plays
football and soccer, loves school, and follows
his brothers every chance he gets. He now
has wavy hair over straight hair! We are a
stronger family unit because of this experience. We worry less about the little things
and appreciate each gift life brings us.
One of the greatest appreciations we
have, second to Corey’s survival, is the gift
Indiana Children’s Wish Fund gave Corey.
He chose to go to Disney World. For this
gift, we cannot thank you enough!
What a magical visit! Disney is full
of a special magic that transforms every
child and adult. Corey was treated like he
was Number One the minute we arrived.
From Disney characters, parades and rides
to special tuck-ins at night, dancing in the
street, and free ice cream at 7:30am, our
days seemed endless. The Give Kids The
World Village at Disney is full of magic
and wonder and seems to be able to grant
more wishes on top of the wish Corey had
already made. We celebrated Christmas in
March, received a new gift every morning,
hula-hooped on the square, “drove” remote
controlled boats, and did many, many more
things.
We took full advantage of each day
Indiana Children’s Wish Fund gave us. We
explored each theme park, took in an endless
amount of scenery, and played every night
at GKTW. We had not expected passes to
put us at the front
of the line for each
and every ride
– this alone was
incredible! It cut
Corey’s wait time
tremendously, and
he was able to experience more of each
park because of it.
We cannot
thank you enough
for the wish you
granted Corey,
and for the wishes
you will continue
to grant count-
less other children. It gives each sick child
something to look forward to, to believe in,
and dream about when they are lying in a
hospital bed taking dreaded medicine and
feeling the lowest they have probably ever
felt. It also gives us parents something to
hold onto – almost like a Christmas present
we cannot wait for them to open, and to oh,
see their face when it happens!
There can be a lot of harshness in the
world, and if we are not careful, we will
only see that and not the goodness that is
present like that in ICWF. We are proud to
be recipients of this goodness and will always
remember what you have given us. Thank
you again.
With all our sincerity and love,
Fred, Lisa, Corey, Chapel and Harrison
Price
Ribbon Cutting
Office Depot’s ribbon cutting in a new
Southside store, in Indianapolis, May
25th was a very special day for Indiana
Children’s Wish Fund (ICWF). Besides
the $100 donation given to us that day, we
received 100 colorful backpacks that we
will give to our wish children. This could
not have happened at a more perfect time!
We have given backpacks with our logo
to each wish child for many years. At the
time of this donation we had just given our
last one. These types of in- kind donations
are so helpful to us as the funds we save
on expenses can go towards our children’s
wishes. Our backpacks are filled with
papers, pens, coloring books, games and all
kinds of items
that help fill
the time while
our children
are traveling
on their wish
or just going
to the doctor’s
office.
There
were over 100
people at this
ribbon cutting,
including
Mayor Greg Ballard who has been very
supportive of ICWF and attends our big-
gest fundraiser each year, the “Portrait of
Wishes” Ball.
Duran Chiropractic is partnering with the
Indiana Children Wish Fund
Jamison, age 6, who was diagnosed with
High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia,
will travel to Disneyworld with his family
this summer thanks to Duran Chiropractic
located in Shelbyville, IN. Duran Chiropractic held a very successful spaghetti
dinner at the Shelbyville Community
Church on April 10, 2010 to raise money
for Jamison’s wish. Shannon Martindale
joined the staff of Indiana Children’s Wish
Fund for a photo after she presented them
with a check from the proceeds from the
spaghetti dinner.
Mark Boyle’s Wish Walk
Beginning Aug. 17, Indiana Pacers
Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Mark Boyle
will be walking 500 miles around Indiana to raise money for Indiana Children’s
Wish Fund. “The Wish Walk” will start
Aug. 17 in Fort Wayne and conclude in
Indianapolis with Boyle making a grand
entrance at the Pacers Foundation Golf
Outing at Brickyard Crossing on Sept. 21.
A tipoff event will be held Monday,
Aug. 16 on Monument Circle at 10:30
AM. Indiana Children’s Wish Fund
families, local dignitaries and other special
guests will be on hand to send Boyle on
his way, as he leaves Indianapolis in an RV
donated by
Camping World of Indianapolis to Fort
Wayne to begin the walk the next day. Fans
can follow Mark’s walk, as well as make donations to benefit Indiana Children’s Wish
Fund at www.TheWishWalk.com.
“Over the years, I’ve tried to use my
time off in the summer to try different
things, from piranha fishing in the Amazon
to spending a summer with a minor league
baseball team in Montana,” said Mark
Boyle. “With this summer’s project, I’m
going to challenge myself physically, raise
money for a great cause and appease all the
folks I’ve known over my life that have told
me to go take a hike.”
We are all thrilled Mark chose to raise
money and awareness for Indiana Children’s Wish Fund. Throughout the years,
Mark and the Indiana Pacers have been big
supporters of our organization. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication Mark
has put into walking the State of Indiana
and helping us grant wishes for our very
special Wish children.
Indiana Children’s Wish Fund
19th Annual Portrait of Wishes Ball
PARIS
RENDEZ
VOUS
2010 Special Edition Newsletter
About the Ball
• 19th Annual
Portrait of Wishes Ball
• Saturday, September 25,
2010
• Indiana Roof Ballroom
• Black Tie optional
• 6:00 p.m. Reception
Silent & Live Auction
Dinner & Dancing
• Cabaret style
entertainment
Tickets
$150 per person
$2,000 Corporate Table
$2,500 Silver Sponsor
$5,000 Gold Sponsor
$10,000 Angel Sponsor
$15,000 Platinum Sponsor
(317) 913-9474
www.indywish.org
Benefactor/
Steering
Committee Party
Friday, August 27, 2010
An elegant evening at Mike &
Andrea Webster’s Home Enjoy
artwork showings from local
artists, wine and heavy hors
d’oeuvres. Entry fee is a bottle
of wine (valued $30+)
More information to follow
Meagan Skinner
Award Winner
Thomas A. Hargett
Raised in Evansville, Indiana, Tom graduated
from Indiana University in 1980 with a bachelor’s
of arts degree. In 1983, he received his M.B.A. from
Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg Graduate
School of Management. For 12 years, he held various positions in the brokerage industry. Tom went
back to school to become an attorney and in 1994
graduated from Indiana University School of Law.
Currently, Tom is a senior partner in the securities law firm of Maddox Hargett & Caruso, P.C. In
Continued inside
Event Sponsor
Capital Group Companies/
American Funds
Angel Sponsors
David & Melissa DeHaven/
One View, Inc.
L.G. & Alyce Edwards
Gold Sponsors
L.H. & Dianne Bayley/
David A. Noyes & Co.
Dr. Joe & Kathie Copeland
Silver Sponsors
Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP
Lafayette Steel & Aluminum
MBS Associates
Ross Gage
Salon 01
Tom Wood Management
Corporate Sponsors
B.R. Associates
Lingner Group Productions
Marsh Supermarkets
As of July 12, 2010
Meagan Skinner Award Winner
Thomas A. Hargett
HONORARY CHAIRS
Continued from page 1
his legal practice, Tom concentrates on providing representation to investors involved
in security disputes with their
broker or
brokerage
firms.
Tom
made
national
headlines
in 2002
when he
represented a group
of investors from
Marion,
Ohio.
After a
five-week
jury trial, the Ohio court
ruled that Prudential had to
pay $250 million in punitive
damages which at the time,
was reported to be the largest
U.S. jury verdict in a securities class-action suit.
Tom is a fellow in the
Litigation Counsel of
America and the Trial
Lawyer Honorary Society.
In 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008 and 2009, Tom was
selected by his peers as an
“Indiana Super Lawyer.”
Tom is a member of the
Arbitration Panels of the
National Association of
Securities Dealers and the
Public Investors Arbitration
Bar Association, where he
Honorary Board
of Directors
L. H. Bayley
William Bindley
Larry Bird
Mark Boyle
LuAnn Derrickson
George Mikelsons
Bren Simon
Chris Wheat
has served on the Federal
Legislation Committee
Tom currently serves as
Vice-President, of the Board
of Directors, of
Indiana
Children’s
Wish
Fund
(ICWF).
Tom has
been a
member
of its
Board
since
2003.
Tom has
devoted
himself
to ICWF and has opened
many new doors of support.
He is a man who loves challenges and will not quit until
the challenge is met.
Tom is the past President
of Indiana University Sigma
Nu Housing Corporation
and has served on its Board
since 2004. Recently,
Tom was inducted into the
Indiana University Sigma
Nu Hall of Honor and was
the recipient of the Herman
B Wells Leadership Award.
Tom and his wife
Denise reside in Fishers,
Indiana. They have two
children, Isaac, age 8 and
Erin, age 5.
Executive Director
Terry Ceaser-Hudson
Board of Directors
L.G. Edwards
President
Thomas Hargett
Vice President
Rebecca Wheat
Secretary
Governor Mitch Daniels
Mayor Greg Ballard
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Terry Ceaser-Hudson
EVENT CHAIRS
Kathie Copeland
Alyce Edwards
AUCTION CHAIRS
Patty Bennett
Andrea Webster
Georgia Buchanan
STEERING COMMITTEE
Larry Griggers
Ron & Linda Addaman
Tom & Denise Hargett
Harold Aron
Brett & Karissa Hulse
Sam & Sheri Augspurger
Alan & Karen Hux
Bill & Linda Bannister
Bob & Pam Jenkins
L.H. & Dianne Bayley
Herb & Anita Kasle
Paul & Teresa Beckwith
Sonjay & Rosie Kewani
Gary & Barbara Bennett
Art & Judy Levine
Richard & Patty Bennett
Andy & Christy Lugo
John Berger
Mark & Wanda Moorhead
Barbara Boyd
Eric & Tonya Munevar
John & Tammy Caldwell
Garry & Nancy Navarre
Bryan & Christy Carter
Deborah Provisor &
Tom & Megan Chandler
Leonard Voigt
Amy Chiappe
Tom & Beth Ann Ross
Greg & Tina Chip
Kevin & Beverly Smith
Joe & Kathie Copeland
Sam & Lalaine Smith
Ed & Jo Davis
David & Micki Stirsman
Joe DeFano & Janice Hendrix
Jack & Lisa Trudeau
David & Melissa DeHaven
Roger & Paula Walton
L.G. & Alyce Edwards
Mike & Andrea Webster
Randy & Esther Fishman
Chris & Becky Wheat
Jeff & Pamela Greenwalt
David Charles
Treasurer
Matt Albean
Barbara Boyd
Steve Burns
Joseph Copeland. M.D.
Randy Fishman
Larry Griggers
Jeremiah Hamman
Stacy Hanefeld
Art Levine
Jodi D. Marsh
Tim McNamara
Tom Ross
Dave Short
Jack Trudeau
Susan Tsangaris
Advisory Board
Arthur Provisor, M.D.
Rick Larsen
Chuck Dietzen, M.D.
John Ruckelshaus
Staff
Julie Hauck
Wish Coordinator
Erin Costanzo
Project Coordinator
Nancy Kapsalis
Kathleen Stoeffler