Friday, December 5, 2008
Gay softballers donate their namesake to kids in need
Posted
by Carolyn Szczepanski on
Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 1:01 PM
After just two years in the Heart of America Softball League, The Barbies went all the way to the Gay World Series this past summer. After raising $10,000 from fans and sponsors, the Barbies traveled to Seattle and went 5-2 at the national competition. It wasn't enough to make it to the winners' podium, but these players did bring home a trophy. Their Barbie inspired outfits -- in pastel blues and pink -- earned them the Best Uniforms award. Thanks to the generosity of their supporters they got their wish this summer. Now, they're turning the tables. This Christmas, they're hoping to doll-up the holidays for a thousand area children.
Last night, Bistro 303 was packed with celebrating athletes sipping on Barbie martinis next to a long shelf lined with new Mattel toys. It was the kick-off for a holiday drive that the gay softball team hopes will put 1,000 Barbies and Hot Wheels cars in the hands of children spending Christmas in area shelters. Terri Goddard, one of a few females on the mostly male team who's spearheading the effort, said it's a chance to give back to the community that helped send them to the Series this summer. In just the first few hours of the toy drive, friends and fans had already dropped off scores of new dolls.
Supporters can extend their good cheer for the next ten days, Goddard said, by dropping off donations at Bistro 303 (303 Westport Rd) or Lady Luck Salon (211 Westport Rd). On December 15th, the gifts will be distributed at several homeless shelters. Barbies' players Ryan Long and Mike Flinn, enjoying cocktails, said the drive is a fun spin on the team's name, which started out as the Bad News Barbies. These days, though, everybody wants to be a Barbie, they said. When the new season starts this spring, they'll have to hold try-outs to see who has the balls to take the field for this fan-favorite squad. Goddard said, once the toy drive is complete, she'll send word of the team's good deed to the Mattel corporation. Maybe, she suggested with a smile, it will be enough inspiration to earn the Barbies a sponsorship from the makers of their iconic, blonde namesake next year.
Tags: Barbie, Gay World Series, Heart of America Softball League
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