By Chéye Roberson
Sentinel Correspondent
Members of the Torch club, a chartered leadership group featured at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich for kids ages 6 to 18, invited police officers, firefighters, emergency service members, teachers, club alumni, coaches, local business owners and their closest friends to relive childhood with a dodgeball tournament to raise money for K9s For Warriors.
K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disability, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma as a result of military service after 9/11. The organization works to empower the warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence.
The National Torch Club has a community service initiative called PAWS, which stands for Protect Animals with Service. Every year, its members choose a project that will help create respect and empathy for animals. This year the Greenwich Torch club wanted to do something that combined an appreciation for animals with appreciation for the soldiers who have protected our country. Camyrn Ferrara, BGCG’s athletic coordinator and Torch Club Advisor coordinated the event.
“It sounds like a great cause, and I’m glad it’s going to something that is useful to the community,” said Michael Pavarini, a member of the Mamaroneck EMS, which was knocked out in the first round. “Especially for someone coming from a department like Mamaroneck, where everything comes from the community. We’re all volunteers. They’re funding something that’s a community service, and I’m glad it’s going to something we’re all going to see be useful.”
The tournament, held Saturday, April 2., began with 28 teams that battled one other until only one team was left standing. The winners were Colin Dunster, Mike Dunster, Shane Slink, Hunter Slink, Evan Kavanagh, John Kavanagh, who comprised team Rex Kwon Do. The winning team name will be engraved into the Dodge For A Cause plaque that will be displayed at the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club.
The tournament consisted of 72 rounds played in the gymnasium and multi-purpose hockey rink area. Each team member who participated walked away with a star-shaped trophy. The tournament boasted high energy. Throughout the games, the crowd would roar and cheer the players on.
“It’s awesome. My friend Camryn set this up and we got a team together with friends. It’s highly anticipated and a lot of fun,” said Colin Dunster. “It’s intense, but win or lose, you’re having fun.”
One of the dodgeballers who helped purchase the Dodge for a Cause T-shirts worn at the event, Shane Kelly, said that getting to play with his friends from childhood added to the sense of community.
“It’s great to be a part of the community—to reinvest in the community. Everybody knows everybody and we’re playing with and against people we knew as kids,” said Shane Kelly, Tiger Dodge management team captain. “It’s great to be playing with adults.”
Officers of the Torch Club were happy with the turnout.
“I think we had a really nice turnout. We aimed for 20 teams and got 27,” said Carlos Flores, the president of the Torch club.
The award-winning national group works to plan and implement activities based on health, fitness, education, social recreation, and service to the club and the community. Flores said that dodgeball was chosen because it “seems to be a universal game. The rules are not that difficult to understand. It’s simple: don’t get hit.”
Sponsors of the event included Titan Advisors, All Sports Apparel, Garden Catering, Corbo’s Corner Deli, Shoreline Video LLC, Joey B’s, b.good restaurant, Glenville Deli, Peralta’s Elite Limousine, All American Athletes, Crunch and Tiger Wealth Management.
