’Hawks pull a ‘win’ for neighbors
An extremely large crowd of Pea Ridge neighbors came out Thursday to support local cancer survivors and offer hope to a family battling cancer.
Blackhawks softball head coach Josh Reynolds expected no less.
“The crowd was awesome,” Reynolds said. “The Pea Ridge community did exactly what it always does — it showed up, supported one of its own and gave generously.”
During the Pea Ridge High School Blackhawks Softball team’s first-ever “Pink Out” game,
the players, coaches and community honored three cancer survivors and offered support for a family who is currently battling cancer.
Debbie Klotz, LaRay Thetford and Dawnitta Henson, three Pea Ridge School faculty members who have battled cancer, were recognized. Thetford and Henson also were on hand to throw the first pitch, Reynolds said, and “they gave it their best shot.”
Donations were accepted at the gate. Organizers also passed the hat to collect funds for a local family.
“We had a very big crowd, considering we had an early start and we were trying to dodge tornadoes,” Reynolds said.
Even with the emotional setting of the Pink Out game and unsettling weather, Reynolds said the players were able to focus and play well. “We ended the game like we should,” he said, capping the night with a 15-0 win against Green Forest.
Reynolds plans to give the donation check to the family battling cancer, but wants to keep the total amount private.
However, he said the community was very generous and that the family will be helped “significantly” with the donation.
The team also plans to hold a second Pink Out game when it travels to Green Forest. The Green Forest softball head coach is on board with the plan. A collection taken there will benefit the same local Pea Ridge family, he said.
Reynolds hopes Pea Ridge residents will travel to that game on April 9. Game time is at 4:30 p.m.