St. Marys Little League Softball Receives Grant

ECCF softball grant Paulas web.jpg

BY
AMY CHERRY
In conjunction with the kickoff of their season this morning, the St. Marys Girls’ Softball Little League also recently received a $15,000 grant to provide much-needed repairs to the Benzinger Park softball fields where their games take place.
The league plans to use the funding to replace the backstops on each field. This decision was made due to concerns over the players’ safety.
Recently board members and players from the organization met with advisors of the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund, who presented them with a check. The donor-advised fund is held and administered by the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF).
A girls’ softball league has been in place for many years; however, in 2010 the former St. Marys Pigtail Softball Association transitioned into a Little League organization. The change was prompted to allow its participants the opportunity to compete in both recreational and All-Star play.
According to organizers, the St. Marys Little League aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization which provides a high-quality experience.
With this change, a new booster group was formed and its first priority was to develop short- and long-term plans for upgrading the fields and equipment.
There are a number of projects the league is currently seeking funds for, and the group approached administrators of the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund to assist with one of those projects.
Applications for the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund are accepted and reviewed quarterly. Those interested in submitting an application should contact the Elk County Community Foundation for specific deadline dates or check the website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.