Young Man Hits a Home Run in Giving.
It all started with a baseball game on Jason Bonsell’s birthday. Old friends came from near and far to play on a team and catch up with each other’s lives, then gather to eat dinner. It was such a success, it became an annual event. Although, at 19, Jason was injured in a car accident that confined him to a wheel chair, he still wanted to continue the tradition. “I still love baseball, and I love my friends, so why not continue?” Jason asked.
For Jason’s 29th birthday, his sister surprised him with a real blowout of friends–the biggest attendance ever. That was when the idea to make it a charity event was conceived. Why not be with old friends, play a fun game of softball, and do some good at the same time?
Jason began securing sponsors and donors, and Dunwellz committed to giving 20 percent of that evening’s total as well. Jason made a pledge to match donations dollar for dollar. The fee is $25 to play baseball, $10 to play cornhole, and foosball is free. This charity event has made around $4,000 each year, and all the funds go to the chosen charity.
Each year’s charity is carefully chosen and vetted by Jason. “I always choose a charity in which all the money goes directly to the cause,” Jason explained. This year’s charity is Autism Services of Mechlenberg County.
The event is on Saturday, June 3, with baseball starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Mint Hill Athletic Assn. field on Brief Rd., and dinner at Dunwellz starting at 4.
To get more information or to register or donate, go to www.jbcharitysoftball.com
