When a fire destroyed the home and belongings of APA member Rick Berg, his Central Illinois APA family sprang into action, helping anyway they could. Taking up a collection for clothes and toys to help replace the tangible items Rick, his wife Susan, and their 18-month-old son Caleb desperately needed was step one. Organizing a benefit to raise money for the Berg Family was step two.
The benefit was held Nov. 6 at Rendezvous Bar & Grill in Decatur, Ill., and featured a pool tournament, auction, raffles, DJ and an all-you-can-eat buffet. During the event, $5,950 was raised, as well as numerous toys and articles of clothing.
Thirty-one players participated in the pool tournament, with Phil Crandall taking 1st Place. Kevin Newsham finished 2nd, while Carol Gifford finished 3rd.
For more information about the Central Illinois APA please visit illinoisapa.com.
When longtime APA member and Host Location owner Bill “Teddy Bear” Wetherell passed away last September, Central Illinois League Operator Kim Jones knew she was going to keep his memory alive somehow. On Jan. 30 she fulfilled that mission by holding a 3-on-3 charity tournament in Wetherell’s honor. The tournament raised money for the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, Ill., a charity that Wetherell personally contributed to each Christmas.
“Bill was a generous man, and we wanted to continue his contributions through an APA event,” Jones said. “He loved the APA, playing in the League since 1989, so a pool tournament benefitting an organization that he cared about was a logical choice.”
The Teddy Bear Tournament, held at Rendezvous Bar & Grill in Decatur, Ill., raised $2,400 for the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur. The double elimination 3-on-3 tournament included 32 teams. The team consisting of Chris Akers, Blake Rauch and Coty Pinnell won 1st Place. Carol Gifford, Rob Thompson and Dave Miller finished as Runners-Up. Third place went to Todd Tibbs, Tiffany Blastenbrei and Ricky George. Ken Koshinski, Jim Irwin and Chris Sullivan finished in 4th Place.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club please visit bgca.org; for additional information about the Central Illinois APA visit illinoisapa.com.
