OnFocus – The Spencer ARC Park will be the site of the second annual Family-style Spencer Kickball Tournament. The event will be held on May 15, with kickball beginning at 9 a.m. and the “Boogie & The YoYoz” concert beginning at 8 p.m.
The annual tournament was organized in honor of Spencer native Morgan Gorst, and his courageous battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. After his passing in March of 2020, his family organized an event to raise funds for area children who aren’t always able to afford sports fees and equipment.
Morgan’s Mission was formed not only to help Gorst throughout his fight, but to help those that might be in a similar situation and to help kids experience youth sports just as he was able to.
“Morgan wanted nothing more than for other children to have an opportunity to play sports just like he did,” Morgan’s Mission states. “Morgan’s Mission will support children who need financial assistance to purchase equipment needed. His mission also supports the good work that his family has supported within our community over the last decade which always brought a smile to his face.”
On top of the donations to youth sports, Morgan’s Mission will be splitting proceeds from the tournament with Powerful Parker, an organization that is helping support Spencer 7-year-old Parker Klimmer through his battle with Leukemia.
Event organizer and Morgan’s mother, Becky Gorst said the outpouring of support from family, friends, sponsors and community members has been very appreciated.
“We are so appreciative of all the support,” Becky said. “Nothing can make losing him better but it brings a smile to our face to see everyone still thinking about him. We have been very blessed from the moment our community found out Morgan was sick to his passing with an outpouring of support. The fact people are still supporting us means the world to us and we are going to be able to do some amazing work with the funds raised.”
The “family-style” tournament is meant to be non-competitive and just about enjoying the outdoors and the community of sports.
Becky said being able to secure “Boogie & The Yoyoz” was huge because it helps make life during a pandemic feel some sort of “normal”.
“We were very excited to make the investment into this event,” Becky said. “The community as a whole needs some normal and being an outdoor event, we feel really good about providing that opportunity. We are looking forward to a fun event for all.”
The event will also include raffles to be announced throughout the day, a cornhole tournament beginning at 11 a.m., a co-ed blind volleyball tournament beginning at 11 a.m. and concessions that will be available throughout the day.
The kickball tournament has already been filled as 12 teams have stepped forward to take the field. The cornhole tournament and blind volleyball tournament are still available to those wishing to participate.
If interested in signing up for either the cornhole tournament (registration is $20/team) you can call or text Lindsey at 715-897-0622. If interested in the blind volleyball tournament (registration is $75/team), you can call or text Brooke at 715-207-1531.
The raffles will be drawn at 9 p.m. and will include 25 baskets including a grilling basket, lottery basket and wine and gift certificate pull where everyone is a winner.
The event has had over 35 sponsors whom have donated money for raffle prizes and the cause. The full list of sponsors is available in a Morgan’s Mission’s Facebook Post.
If you would like to donate to Morgan’s Mission, the team is taking cash donations up until the day of the event. They will also be taking wine, raffle baskets or gift certificates as donations for the raffle part of the event. Donations for those items must be given by May 14 and can be mailed to:
Morgan’s Mission
101583 Casey Ave.
Spencer, WI 54479
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at [email protected].
