On August 7, the Stevens Point Junior Women’s Club (JWC) made a notable contribution to the Stevens Point Youth Baseball Association (SPYBA) by awarding a $3,000 check to a team heading to the World Series. The presentation took place at Bukolt Park, where club members gathered with players and coaches to celebrate the occasion.
Kelly Palmgren, the treasurer of the JWC, noted that such donations outside the organization’s typical giving season are rare and thus require a rigorous approval process involving both local and state-level leadership along with member validation.
Elise Gorski, a JWC member, expressed the significance of this unusual decision, stating, “This has never been done before. It’s such a great cause that the membership felt passionate about donating to SPYBA, so we made an exception.” This level of community engagement demonstrates the high level of support the team has garnered.
The SPYBA team, coached by Jason Duellman, is currently about halfway to reaching its fundraising goal. Gorski remarked on the community’s enthusiasm, saying, “It’s amazing how much the community is rallying around these boys. They are a great group of kids that work hard on the ball field and now also are working their butts off fundraising.”
For those wishing to contribute to the team’s efforts, donations can be made to cover the approximately $3,000 per player cost of the trip. Contributions can be dropped off at Mr. Brews Taphouse – Plover, located at 2012 County Rd. HH in Plover.
The team is set to depart for the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown, New York, on August 13, marking an exciting milestone in their journey.
