Bean Bag Toss Tournament Raises Nearly $4K for Rare Diseases

A football tailgate game raises thousands of dollars for Uplifting Athletes.  Don Ferinelli, owner of Ferinelli Construction in Mechanicsburg, sponsored a bean bag toss tournament Saturday, October 16.  More than 30 spectators cheered on as 70 people participated in the double elimination tournament held in Cumberland county.  Money raised - close to $4,000!   Uplifting Athletes thanks everyone who participated and contributed to the cause.  A special congratulations goes out to the winners of the tournament - Chuck Eberly and Justin Bowers.  The runners-up - Lance Gelnet and Mike Scheib.  Both the first and second place teams received trophies.

The bean bag toss tournament is part of Uplifting Athletes' "College Colors Day" campaign.  Uplifting Athletes has recruited schools, businesses and individuals to sponsor events such as a "dress-down day" or a tailgate party or even a "wear-your-favorite-college-t-shirt-day" to raise money for the rare disease community.

“Rare disease patients live in a world where they are constantly told that their disease is not a priority.  This is a great way for these same patients to see that they are not alone in their fight,” executive director Scott Shirley said.

Anyone can coordinate or host a “College Colors Day “event during the football season to support a great cause while building morale and camaraderie. So far, local businesses and school districts have raised nearly $14,000 for Uplifting Athletes and the rare disease community.

For more information on the campaign, go to www.upliftingathletes.org.