On Aug. 9, 2011, Pee Dee South Carolina APA member Justin Tidwell was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer. Justin missed the entire Fall Session due to surgery and radiation treatments, but he didn’t spend that time sulking. Instead, he used his time during treatments and hospital stays to develop a website devoted to raising money to help those who, like him, have little to no medical insurance. You can access the site at cafepress.com/tracshop.
On Jan. 14, 2012, Pee Dee South Carolina APA League Operators Richard and Regina Johnson did what they could to help Justin by organizing a fundraiser. Taking place at Stroker’s Billiards in Sumter, S.C., and featuring a double elimination Singles tournament as well as raffles, the benefit raised $473. A total of $413 went directly to Justin and $60 went to the winner of the tournament, which just so happened to be Justin! Justin then gave $40 of his winnings to the 2nd Place finisher, Brian Timmons.
Justin has completed his treatments and will know if the cancer is completely gone when he returns to the doctor next month. “He is in great spirits and has returned to play in the League for the Spring Session,” said Regina.
For more information on the Pee Dee South Carolina APA visit peedeesouthcarolina.apaleagues.com.
Southeast Georgia APA League Operators Joel and Sandra Chue, along with APA of South Carolina League Operator Scott Bates, teamed up with Players Place Billiards owner Perry Hunsicker to collect toys for Debi’s Kids and the Salvation Army Angel Tree. The toy drive was held over two consecutive weekends at Players Place Billiards in Charleston, S.C. The first weekend saw Players Place host the APA of South Carolina’s 8-Ball Summer Tri-Cup tournament. The following weekend they were the site of the Fall Singles Regional tournament, where players from Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina competed for a chance to play in the National Singles Championships held in Las Vegas every spring. Poolplayers and friends that attended the tournaments brought toys and books to donate to Debi’s Kids.
Debi’s Kids was started by Charleston’s Live 5 News anchor Debi Chard in 1993 to help bring a brighter Christmas to children who have no other resources for the holidays. In 2004, Debi’s Kids formed a partnership with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program to reach more families in need during the holidays. They provide new, unwrapped toys for children 12 and under.
Twenty-one toys were collected during the Tri-Cup tournament and 56 toys and 16 books were collected during the Fall Singles Regional tournament.
For more information on Debi’s Kids visit live5news.com. Go to salvationarmyusa.org for more information on the Salvation Army Angel Tree. For more information on Southeast Georgia APA visit SouthEastGeorgia.apaleagues.com, and for information on the APA of South Carolina visit apaofsouthcarolina.com.
The phrase “APA Family” is frequently spoken throughout APA Leagues. A shining example of what this truly means was found in the Pee Dee South Carolina APA on Aug. 29.
To say it’s been a rough year for longtime APA member Mike Gainey would be an understatement. His lungs collapsed after undergoing heart bypass surgery earlier this year. He then went into liver failure and his kidneys began to shut down. His family was told he would not leave the hospital alive. Fortunately, Mike did improve and was able to return home. Unfortunately, the medical bills began to pile up. That’s when his APA Family stepped in. Mike’s teammate, Robby Bryant, approached League Operators Richard and Regina Johnson about organizing a benefit to help cover some of the medical expenses, and the Johnson’s didn’t hesitate. “We couldn’t have done it without Robby’s help” Regina Johnson said. “Not only was it his idea, but he assisted every step of the way.”
The benefit was held at R & J’s Billiards & Pub in Florence, S.C., and included a double elimination 8-Ball tournament, food and raffles. The food was provided by the Johnson’s and Joe Turner, owner of The Phoenix Bar & Grill, also located in Florence, S.C. Twenty-five players competed in the 8-Ball tournament, where Larry McGee took 1st Place. Two raffles were also held, with Becky Bryant and Ray Weinburg being the lucky winners. Mike was on-hand for the benefit, which raised $650. He’s looking forward to playing pool competitively again—he plans on rejoining his team for the Fall Session. Good luck and best wishes Mike!
For more information about Pee Dee South Carolina APA, please visit peedeesouthcarolina.apaleagues.com.
