Niawen

The Massena Women's Softball league held their annual Breast Cancer tournament on July 23rd and 24th at the Alcoa Fields (with 2 games played at Bushnell Field at 8am and 9am) starting at 8am on Saturday with the last games being played at 7:30pm. Games started back up at 8am on Sunday and ending at 5:30pm on Sunday. There were 20 women's teams that entered the tournament making this the biggest tournament yet. Teams came from Vermont, Plattsburgh, Tri-Lakes, Massena, Bombay, Akwesasne, and surrounding areas. Each team usually makes shirts for their players along the breast cancer theme, which makes it a fun weekend for everyone. Becky Good is the main organizer of this tournament, along with volunteers that join her tournament committee. This committee begins holding meetings in May to discuss fundraising ideas which makes this a huge success. Once the tournament is over, fundraising ideas are brought up for next year's tournament.

Funds are raised by asking businesses if they are interested in placing a business card size ad on the back of shirts for $100, we usually get 20+ businesses that purchase an ad. These shirts are sold during tournament weekend. The tournament also sells $5.00 tickets for big prizes such as a gazebo, quilt, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Overnight stay, match play and certificate, $100 lottery ticket boob (tree), Alcoa gift bag, and also this year there were 2 tickets to NASCAR race in Watkins Glen sponsored by Kellogg. A Chinese auction was also held both days.

On behalf of the Breast Cancer tournament committee we would like to thank the following businesses and people for their donations to help this tournament be a success: ALCOA, A&J Embroidery, SeaComm FCU, Massena Savings & Loans, North Country Savings, Alex's Ice Service, Hill Top Inflatables, Elite Home Inspection, Curran Renewable Energy, Play it Again Sports, Mystic Ray's, Seaway Orthopedics, Laneuville's Orvis St Wine & Liquors, Smith's Pizzeria/Tony's, Peet's Jewelers, Ray's Place, Leonard Laneuville, Twin Leaf Store, Free Trader, Unifour Fire & Safety, Superior Heating & AC, Canton Potsdam Hospital, Seaway Valley Lawncare, USW Local 420, Eternity Bridal & Boutique, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Randy Good, Marybeth Premo, Mackenzie Banks, Kelly McCann, Southpaw Signs & Stripes, Lorna Smoke, A. Cappione Inc., Alkies Liquors, Hill Top Inflatables Women's Softball Team, and CKON Radio Bingo.

At this time the amount being donated to Canton Potsdam Hospital Women's unit will be over $13,000.00. We will have an accurate amount at the check presentation during our league's playoff weekend taking place on August 13th and 14th. Thank you to everyone who made this event a tremendous success, without you our event would not happen!!