Friday was a beautiful day on the diamond to help raise thousands of dollars for folks living with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones.In 2005, Jeff Kolok’s daughter Johanna was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just four years old.”Any disease robs fun from one’s life” said Kolok. “With type 1 diabetes, that fun is taken away the day of diagnosis. You’re making decisions 24-7 that are all about staying alive.” Ever since his daughter’s diagnosis, he has made it his mission to beat the disease. So, he co-founded SLAMT1D, a non-profit that raises awareness and empowers people of all ages that are affected by the disease to live their lives to the fullest, and play some ball.”I feel like I haven’t done the most practicing but its all about getting out there and having fun” said Hannah Phelps, who has been diabetic for years.She and her dad, Josh, are playing for Weekend Wifflers, one of over 20 teams in the tournament this year.”I don’t know about having fun, we want to win too” Josh joked. On Friday, Jeff and his team held their annual Vermont Summer Classic, a wiffle ball tournament at Little Fenway in Essex featuring over 20 teams, many of those athletes living with diabetes themselves.”Jeff and the team have allowed me to get totally entrenched in this community and do exactly that for as many people as we can” said Liam O’Farrell, who also lives with type 1 diabetes.Friday’s tournament brought in ball players from all across the country from the sunshine state of Florida, to the NBC5 Sports Desk.Our own Jack Main joined in on the fun, all to support the good cause.”I love wiffle ball. I grew up playing in my backyard. I also grew up playing at Little Fenway. Raising money and playing for a good cause was a no-brainer” said Main.Last year, the non-profit raised over $400,000. This year, they have already blown passed that and have raised over $510,000 for the cause, and counting.”Come on out” said Kolok. “Catch a little bit of this, and you’ll be hooked.”Games will be running all weekend. A full schedule can be found online.
Friday was a beautiful day on the diamond to help raise thousands of dollars for folks living with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones.
In 2005, Jeff Kolok’s daughter Johanna was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just four years old.
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“Any disease robs fun from one’s life” said Kolok. “With type 1 diabetes, that fun is taken away the day of diagnosis. You’re making decisions 24-7 that are all about staying alive.”
Ever since his daughter’s diagnosis, he has made it his mission to beat the disease. So, he co-founded SLAMT1D, a non-profit that raises awareness and empowers people of all ages that are affected by the disease to live their lives to the fullest, and play some ball.
“I feel like I haven’t done the most practicing but its all about getting out there and having fun” said Hannah Phelps, who has been diabetic for years.
She and her dad, Josh, are playing for Weekend Wifflers, one of over 20 teams in the tournament this year.
“I don’t know about having fun, we want to win too” Josh joked.
On Friday, Jeff and his team held their annual Vermont Summer Classic, a wiffle ball tournament at Little Fenway in Essex featuring over 20 teams, many of those athletes living with diabetes themselves.
“Jeff and the team have allowed me to get totally entrenched in this community and do exactly that for as many people as we can” said Liam O’Farrell, who also lives with type 1 diabetes.
Friday’s tournament brought in ball players from all across the country from the sunshine state of Florida, to the NBC5 Sports Desk.
Our own Jack Main joined in on the fun, all to support the good cause.
“I love wiffle ball. I grew up playing in my backyard. I also grew up playing at Little Fenway. Raising money and playing for a good cause was a no-brainer” said Main.
Last year, the non-profit raised over $400,000. This year, they have already blown passed that and have raised over $510,000 for the cause, and counting.
“Come on out” said Kolok. “Catch a little bit of this, and you’ll be hooked.”
Games will be running all weekend. A full schedule can be found online.
