Group raises $3,500 to help animals

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne Street Kids Softball team was able to exceed a goal of $1,500 to raise about $3,500 in a charity bowling tournament to benefit H.O.P.E. for Animals (Humane Organization for the Prevention of Euthanasia) Sunday at Crazy Pinz Entertainment center on Lima Road in Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne Street Kids is the newest team, part of an organization established in 1978 called Street Kids Softball out of South Bend, IN. The organization was formed to give competitive softball players a purpose off the field, by giving back to their communities through charitable work. The team has partnered with H.O.P.E. as they raise money to tackle our area's pet overpopulation problem.

Team co-managers, Brent McKown and Scott Silvers said they are excited to host this, their first large fundraising event with Fort Wayne Street Kids, and Street Kids Cares.

Crazy Pinz offered up 32 lanes for the charity and Street Kids was able to sell them out at four bowlers per lane, having 128 bowlers help H.O.P.E. for Animals.

"In 2008, Allen County euthanized nearly 11,000 cats and dogs. By educating pet owners about the benefits of spay/neuter or fixing their pets, we can all help to reduce pet overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia", McKown says.

32 teams of 4 competed in a 9-pin no tap bowling tournament. Prizes were given to the top three teams and the Kids also held a raffle and a 50/50 drawing.

Street Kids Cares has built a name for themselves in the South Bend area. The organization is involved with the following organizations, just to name a few:

· Memorial Hospital Children's Hospital to give children hope as they struggle with cancer,

· Raising money for the Breast Cancer Society, and the United Way,

· Distributing toys to needy children through Toys for Tots.

Street Kids said it also hopes to host an event to benefit Habitat for Humanity in Fort Wayne later this year.

More information about this softball team with a mission can be found at www.fortwaynestreetkids.com .

More information about Street Kids Care can be found at www.streetkidscare.com

More information about H.O.P.E. for Animals can be found at www.hope-for-animals.org .