This October, the Maine Strong Memorial Foundation hosted its 2nd Annual Softball Tournament, bringing our community together to honor, support, and uplift one another. With incredible participation, generosity, and donations, the weekend was a fantastic success, helping to provide essential support for families and individuals impacted by last year’s tragedy in Lewiston, support the Maine Resiliency Center, and our foundation.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This tournament wouldn’t have been possible without our sponsors’ support. Hammond Lumber Company, our presenting sponsor, played a key role in making this event a reality. Our platinum sponsors, Maine Family Federal Credit Union & Heat Pumps of Maine, and our gold sponsor, Taylor Brook Dental Associates, also gave generously, helping us bring this weekend to life and showing their dedication to the Maine community.
Tournament Highlights and Team Spirit
Over the weekend, 46 teams played with heart and determination, regardless of the unpredictable Maine weather. Saturday brought strong winds and a bit of rain, but a beautiful rainbow in the morning felt like a special sign of hope—a reminder of the presence of those we’ve lost. Sunday brought better weather, and the spirit of the tournament stayed high all weekend.
Adding to the excitement, we had some special guests join us. The Maine Cabin Masters, Tom Caron, sports broadcaster for NESN, was in attendance, along with beloved mascots Slugger the Sea Dog from the Portland Sea Dogs, Beacon the Puffin from the Maine Mariners, and Crusher from the Maine Celtics. Their appearances delighted fans of all ages, adding an extra special touch to the event.
Messages of Hope and Remembrance
Our message station was a meaningful addition to the tournament, providing a space for attendees to share words of hope, love, and strength for the victims, survivors, and families. These messages were touching reminders of the strong community support that surrounds us and helped everyone reflect on the importance of resilience and unity.
Family Fun and Kids’ Activities
Thanks to Big Time Bounce and Party Rental, the kids’ area was filled with laughter and fun, with bounce houses that kept our youngest guests entertained all weekend. Seeing families enjoy this space together was a highlight, reminding us all of the joy and connection community events like this bring.
Raffles, Auctions, and Final Totals
Our raffle and auction added excitement, with some amazing prizes up for grabs.
We would like to express our gratitude to the businesses that generously donated for their support, as well as to everyone who participated!
A Huge Thanks to Our Food Trucks
We want to give a special shout-out to the food trucks that kept everyone fueled and happy throughout both days of the tournament. Thank you to the following vendors for providing delicious meals and drinks, making the experience even more enjoyable for everyone present:
J & H Pizza
Yeti Dogs
Lucky Cat Coffee Truck
Cruzin Slice
Sum'Battus BBQ
Benchwarmers
The Pit Crew Mobile Catering
Special Thank You to the Maine Resiliency Center
We’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Maine Resiliency Center for being on-site all weekend, offering their unwavering support and resources to those affected by the October 25th shootings at Just-in-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille. The center serves a wide range of people impacted by these events, including family, friends, and loved ones of those lost, first responders and medical personnel, individuals present at either location during the shootings, and any community members who feel affected. Their work within our community is invaluable, providing counseling, support, and resources to help individuals and families find strength in difficult times. If you or someone you know could benefit from their services, please reach out to them at 207-525-3930 or email them at info@maineresiliencycenter.org.
In Memory of Victims and in Support for Survivors and Their Families
We would like to take a moment to honor the victims, survivors, and their families. This tournament is dedicated to them, and we remain committed to providing support and fostering resilience within our community.
Thank you to everyone who came to play, cheer, and remember. The strength and unity shown this weekend is a testament to our Maine community, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s tournament, knowing we’ll be stronger together.
To learn more about where your donations are going, please visit: https://www.mainestrongfoundation.org/donate
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