Four of Warsaw Schools’ elementaries competed in the Food-A-Thon Family Fun Night dodgeball tournament at Lakeview Middle School Friday night, but only one school earned the right to call itself the 2014 champions. After Harrison knocked out Jefferson, and Lincoln took down Leesburg, the championship game pit the Huskies against the Lions. For awhile, the game appeared to be a stalemate, but Harrison began to whittle away at Lincoln until Lincoln had one sixth-grader left – Jose Reyes. Reyes battled long and hard, knocking a few Huskies out of the game, but after several minutes he finally was knocked out himself. Harrison rushed the floor in victory, but despite the loss Lincoln celebrated its efforts and Reyes’ competitive spirit with a group huddle and cheer. Jefferson defeated Leesburg in the consolation game. The ninth annual dodgeball tournament is a culmination of the schools’ efforts to collect food and money during the past week for Combined Community Services to help needy family through the winter. The Food-A-Thon to collect food for CCS is hosted by local radio stations ESPN 1480, Lake City Rock 107.3 WRSW and Willie 103.5. It continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Martin’s Supermarket. Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, CCS director of client assistance, said the Food-A-Thon is in its 14th year. “I know we’ve surpassed last year’s totals if today was any indication,” she said. Final totals won’t be known until later in the week. Going into the holidays, people’s winter bills will be higher and area residents may need more help with expenses like groceries, she said. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Lisenbee-Wright said. “It will stock our pantry through the holidays. The money will buy food for throughout the year. We are the largest food pantry in the county, and without the Food-A-Thon, we wouldn’t be able to feed all the families.” She said many other organizations graciously have other food drives, but the Food-A-Thon is the big one. “I really love the Food-A-Thon because it’s our longest standing one and the schools get involved,” Lisenbee-Wright said. She thanked the schools, businesses and community for their support. She also thanked Reinholt’s Town Square Furniture for supplying a truck to haul the food in from the school to CCS. “It personally makes me feel, going into the holidays, we have food to help families with at least their physical hunger needs. I just want to thank everyone on behalf of the staff and board,” she said. The Food-A-Thon sports tournament started in 2006. It started as a basketball tournament, tried volleyball one year and then became a dodgeball tournament. Harrison has won almost every year except once when Leesburg did and Jefferson won in 2013.
