“Swing for Life” helps leukemia patient
By Mondee Tilley, Mount Airy News
April 12, 2009

Athletic Director, Mark Tucker, and daughter Hadly Tucker pose for a shot with Coach Amber Reid and the Surry Knights just before kicking off the Swing for Life Event!

DOBSON — Bats were in full swing Saturday afternoon as the Surry Knights filled Fisher River Park’s softball fields with people who wanted to help the team raise money for Ann Honeycutt, who is battling her second round with leukemia. The Surry Knights Softball Team and numerous volunteers raised over $2,000.00 for the Honeycutt Family!

“Taking a bat to leukemia one swing at a time” was the motto for the Swing for Life with the Surry Knights event yesterday. More than 150 people came out to participate in fundraising events such as a cornhole tourney, which is sort of a bean bag toss, a cake walk, a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing.

Odell Quesinberry won a chocolate frosted cake that he had been eyeing on the cake walk table. His wife volunteered at the guest book that was signed as visitors walked in. The book will be given to Honeycutt as a sign of community support.

Mark Vogler and Odell Quesinberry, father and grandpa of player Mallorie Vogler, participate in the cake walk as well as Adriana Sisk, sister of player Dawn Sisk! Others captured are Vickie Bryant, Beverly Marion, and Gina Cox.

On the field the crack of the bat could be heard all afternoon as one by one batters stepped up to the plate to face either the mechanical pitching machine, a Knight’s pitcher, or to participate in the Home Run Derby.

Brothers Alex and Austin Tilley, who have been swinging the bats since they were toddlers, took turns taking a crack at the bat with the mechanical pitching machine. Their parents, Stephanie and Perry Tilley, cheered from the sidelines.

Whitney Cox and Laken Bowman took turns throwing bean bags at the cornhole tourney trying to hit the hole on a wooden board that was about 30 yards away. The girls ran back and forth trying to outdo each other.

Mark Tucker and his daughter Hadley carefully looked over the items up for grabs at the silent auction. They finally paused and picked out the item of their choice. Kevin, Lauren and Meredith Pack were also checking out some of the items up for auction such as a scented candle and photo album.

Kevin, Meredith and Lauren Pack look over the silent auction items! Several local businesses contributed to the silent auction in an effort to assist in the Knights efforts to make the event a success!

Amber Reid, coach of the Surry Community College Knights, is a long-time friend of Honeycutt, who was just released from the hospital and could not attend the fundraising event. She said Honeycutt is close to the team.

“I’ve known her for a long time. The team just wanted to help her any way that they can. They jumped in and were willing to help do anything. We just want to keep her pumped up. We know she is going through a hard time and we just want to do whatever we can do to lift her up,” Reid said.

Amber Reid, Surry Knights softball coach (left), checks with her team to make sure they have all of the items lined up for the field events. All of the volunteers wore orange shirts for Leukemia Awareness with the phrase, “I wear Orange for Ann” on the back!

Orange T-shirts were also on sale at the event along with concessions. Orange ribbons that signify the fight against Leukemia were everywhere.
Ann Honeycutt, though not able to be at the event due to low blood count and immunity, sent a message of thanks to the team and all those who played a part in the event to be read out for those who attended.

All of the proceeds will go to help pay for Honeycutt’s care and medical bills.

For more information on how to donate, contact Amber Reid at 386-3343 or e-mail her at reida@surry.edu.