TPD kickball tourney raises $10K for Special Olympics, local projects

Troy Police Chief Chris Wasser blasts a ball to the outfield Saturday at the annual Kickin’ For the Fences kickball tournament at Tri-Township Park. (Photo by Pat Pratt)

By Pat Pratt

ppratt@timestribunenews.com

Hundreds of people turned out Saturday for a day of fun, music, food and of course kickball, an event to benefit worthy causes supported by Troy Police. 

TPD hosted the eighth annual Kickin’ For the Fences kickball tournament at Tri-Township Park, which pitted 16 teams of kickballers from around the area for the bragging rights of having the best team and a trophy. 

Foremost was Special Olympics, which law enforcement in Illinois and across the nation have supported for years with a number of fundraising activities. Troy Police Chief Chris Wasser, who participated in the games Saturday, said the event is always well-attended and always proves to be a fun time. 

“It will help benefit Special Olympics, our Shop with a Cop program and the additional programs we have going on,” Wasser said. “It’s been a huge success every year and a good time had by all.” 

Officer Jennifer Hautly, who serves as the agency’s Special Olympics liaison, said the money will benefit the games and other worthy causes, but the event also serves to build relationships between police and the community. 

“Community relations, just building our relationship with the community and our business partners,” Hautly replied when asked the goal of the event.”We are here to raise money for Special Olympics and our community. Half the money will go to Special Olympics and half will go back to our community.” 

In addition to the tournament, organizers also had music, a bouncy house for children and other fun activities. On Monday, police said the event raised more than $10,000 for charitable causes. The winner of Saturday’s tournament was team Kickin’ It For Ronnie.