Georgia Volunteers Raise $1 Million Through Softball Tournament

Georgia Volunteers Raise $1 Million for CF Foundation Through Softball Tournament

December 7, 2010

Andy Lipman, Eva Lipman, Chipper Jones, Andrea Lipman and Emily Lipman helped make it a “November to Remember” by raising over $150,000 for the CF Foundation this year — and $1 million in total since the Wish for Wendy tournament began in 2000.

Participants of A Wish for Wendy Softball Challenge held in Georgia this November dusted off their cleats, brushed up on their batting skills and brought the total amount raised since the event’s inception to more than $1 million — a homerun in the fight against cystic fibrosis.

Andy Lipman, 37, who has CF, started the double-elimination tournament 11 years ago in memory of his sister, Wendy, who died at 16 days old from complications from the disease.

“Over the years, we’ve had at least 50 participating teams, 100 sponsors, several hundred volunteers and North Park’s four-field facility that hosts this great event every year,” Andy said. “Thanks to my family and friends, A Wish for Wendy is a success. And thanks to A Wish for Wendy, my sister’s name will someday be synonymous with a cure.”

To commemorate the day, Andy Lipman penned a message to his late sister Wendy, for whom the event is named: Dear Wendy, WE DID IT! $1,000,000! Love, Andy.

March to a Million

The event’s committee members, team captains and players all embraced the goal to meet the $1 million fundraising mark this year by holding happy hours, securing the support of local restaurants and businesses, and conducting online letter-writing campaigns.

On the day of the tournament, the 16 teams celebrated their success both on and off the field by playing ball and enjoying the fantastic food and family-friendly entertainment — and they even received some inspiration from the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders.

In addition, softball players bid on signed sports memorabilia, Orange Bowl tickets, a weekend stay at the Ritz-Carlton and other exciting items in a live auction.

The Georgia Chapter would like to thank the event chairs:
Andy Lipman, founder and chair	Emily Lipman, co-chair
Its major and corporate sponsors:
Abbott DiversiTech East West Manufacturing	The Lipman Family The Zucker Family Foundation
And key volunteers:
Susan Andre, public relations Andrea Lipman, signage Eva Lipman, food coordinator	Becca Nichols, volunteer chair The late Rusty Sneiderman, sponsorship chair