Fundraiser saw all bases loaded

May 15, 2018

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The Equity

Last weekend’s baseball tournament in Mansfield et Pontefract was organized to support Otter Lake’s O’Livia Richard and her family, while she undergoes treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. From left: The organizers included the family of Robert Denault, Denise Duval, Rebecca Denault and Terry Charrette, who were proud to say that every cent raised from the weekend will benefit the Richard family.

Mayor of Fort Coulonge Gaston Allard swings for the fences in Sunday’s A final game.

Half Cut proved champions of the A division, with their all-star roster including, back row, from left: Charlie Frost, Eric Kluke, Travis Dubeau, Justin Stewart, Stephen Newberry, Quinn O’Brien and Matt Kluke. Front row, from left: Claudee Galipeau, Vanessa Pearson, Emily Taylor and Marie-Claude Danis.

The Knockouts emerged winners of the B division, with their beauty of a team including, back row, from left: Marc Fortin, Eric Turner, Nick Brown, Zach Therrien, Patrick St-Cyr, Sam Brown and Matt Bélaire. Front row, from left: Cassy Bérubé, Julia Dumouchel, Kailee Toupin and Erica Dube.

The tournament saw 15 teams play, over three days of games. Pictured, Half Cut’s Stephen Newberry puts bat to ball in the final A game of the weekend.

Donald Teuma-Castelletti
MANSFIELD ET
PONTEFRACT
May 11-13, 2018
While one family in Otter Lake is dealing with an unimaginable tragedy at the moment, their community has continued to rally behind them, this time offering support through a fundraising baseball tournament.
With the start of summer weather coming early, organizers took advantage to host a tournament over the weekend, seeing 15 teams hit the mound across two divisions, while raising money for a 15-year-old girl and her family.
“My wife [Denise Duval] first thought of this, because she works with O’Livia [Richard]’s dad,” said Robert Denault, one of the organizers.

Currently, Richard is being treated for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, otherwise known as cancer within the lymph nodes, a part of the immune system. While attending treatment, Denault explained, there are many other costs for the family, such as food and lodging while travelling to the city, that add up quickly.
Through their fundraising efforts, the organizers hope to alleviate some of the burden, making the tough time a bit easier for the family.
“Every dollar goes to them,” he added. “We’re doing this for strangers to us – they’re not related to us, but they’re good people, they deserve it.”
While Denault and his wife ran the bar and raffle prizes, with the help of his daughter, Rebecca Denault, they had a seasoned professional organizing the baseball games, while holding down umpire duties, too.
Terry Charrette, Rebecca’s husband, ran many games through the weekend, organizing more teams than the family had initially planned .
“We should have stopped at 12 teams,” admitted Robert, with a laugh. “But we put in 15. It’s been a long weekend, but no pain, no gain.”
While the community in the area proved plenty supportive of the family and tournament, Robert said he was proud to have received support from businesses outside of the Pontiac. Knowing that local businesses would be tapped fairly often this summer for various causes, he opted to seek raffle donations from businesses beyond the area, including Pembroke and Maniwaki.
Of course, there were still plenty of businesses within the Pontiac’s borders that came to him with donations.
“People have really supported this, they’ve done really good,” continued Robert.
Rounding out the fun was entertainment from a local DJ, Marc Duval, on Saturday night. Between cooling down after a long day in the sun and enjoying the evening’s entertainment, the bar was drank dry of liquor before Sunday morning.
However, games continued all through Sunday, with two teams emerging champions. Winners of the finals in the B division were the Knockouts, while the A winners were Half Cut.
Robert, Denise, Charrette and Rebecca wanted to extend their thanks to all volunteers, donors and players for their time and support of the weekend, as well as the community who came out to enjoy the fun and games.
“When you think about her [circumstance], I don’t mind organizing a weekend like this,” said Robert.

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