Lady Hatchets disability game set for fun time

Washington Times-Herald - 3/8/2024

Mar. 7—In sports there are always great events. The Olympics, the Rumble in the Jungle, the Superbowl, but on March 13 at the Hatchet House will be not just the game of the week but the event of the year, It's the Washington Disabilities game pitting the DSI Terminators against a team of local celebrities.

This is the second annual game put on by DSI with the Washington Lady Hatchets.

"It is called the celebrities versus the terminators event. It goes along well with March Madness to bring awareness to disability awareness month and just raising funds for DSI," said Lady Hatchet coach Gretchen Miles. "One of the big things we do in our program is the community service program. With the way the community supports our program and our kids it is important for our kids to give back to the community. Whenever our community needs us we feel we want our kids to get involved and not just show up, but we want them to be a part of it, to do the work of it. It is very empowering to give back to those who support us."

"March is National Disability month," said DSI Development Director Sherri Tredway. "Every year we try to do something to try and bring that into the light to help people become more knowledgeable about folks with disabilities and inclusion and all of the things that are important to us in our mission we have here."

The game was held for the first time last year and it had a remarkable impact. Going from what was considered as an awareness exhibition to a full-fledged fundraiser that brought in enough money to build an outdoor basketball court.

"When I first talked with Gretchen, I was thinking we will do this as an awareness event. None of it was fundraising. We talked about making it fundraising and I thought maybe we could get $3-4,000. Gretchen said she thought we could raise 10,000. We sent out sponsor letters and wound up making $11,000," said Tredway. "I give Gretchen the credit for that. She got the band involved, the cheerleaders, the boosters. So, when you have that many people involved in an event, they are going to have family and friends that show up to support them."

"We made it as much as a home Hatchet basketball game as possible. We had the cheerleaders, half-time performances by the band," said Miles. "It was just anything we could do to make it the best night for the DSI clients and the community."

WHS senior co-captain Hayleigh Cummins says she is thrilled to play another game like this.

"For me it means showing support for a community that gives us the same support for the whole season. It is giving back, plus the event is so much fun. It's a great opportunity and I look forward to it," she said. "The game means a lot for us. I hope it brings out a lot of people in the community and see what we can do for DSI. I want so many people to come out. It makes the event so much more fun."

DSI officials say they are still looking for sponsors. People can get involved by contacting Tredway. There is no admission charge, and organizers are just asking for the public to show up and have a good time.

"I really am looking forward to this year's game. The clients are super excited. Most of them played last year and they are excited about playing again. They practiced at the Hatchet House last week. The basketball team girls all got a lot out of last years' experience so they are excited as well," said Tredway. "We really hope people turn out. I have worked here for 29 years, and been to a lot of events. This is my favorite because everybody smiles and has fun."

"The community buy-in is what makes this happen," said Miles. "DSI does a great job of getting the word out. They do a phenomenal job with that and last year that led to a great turn out for the event."

The event is set for the Hatchet House Wednesday evening at 6:30.

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