CINCINNATI – Best of luck to Amy Byrne tomorrow, who will run The Flying Pig, her first 1/2 marathon, to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

GRAND RAPIDS – Some of you may recall the Fatties support of The Bridge at Arbor Circle a few years ago. Hall of Famer Susan “Zanner” Sheppard works at this center for local disadvantaged youths in need of support or counseling for substance abuse or behavior issues.

It’s Hunger Walk time again. The Bridge and Kent County need YOUR HELP!

Over 20,000 People are served each month through the network of one hundred food pantries in Kent County. Food services increased 13.5% last year; the rate of children living in poverty in Kent County has risen over 77% since 2000.

The Bridge specifically serves meals to over 450 youth each year and receives a minimum of $3,000 from this event. That dollar amount could be more depending on how much money they are able to raise

This year Arbor Circle’s Youth Development Staff are walking with the YOUTH who directly benefit from this event.

Here is the #1 way for you to participate:

1. Raise money for your Arbor Circle’s YOUTH walking team! Ask your friends, family, and neighbors…Any amount is welcome and appreciated!!

Checks should be made out to: GRACE Hunger Walk. Cash or Check should be sent to Susan Sheppard (see contact below).

The Date of the event is: Saturday 5/1/10
5k or 12k Walk
Check in Time: 8:00am

Contact Susan Sheppard if you are interested. Phone (616) 451-3301 extension 1231 or via email at ssheppard@arborcircle.org.

HARVARD – As seen in the previous couple of posts, our lovable degenerate gambler, Trey “The Bookie” Sumner is currently involved with a government sponsored tour of Iraq, where he is arranging “Fat Bastard Iraq II,” the second national championship tournament.
Due to the extreme conditions and concrete playing surfaces, the wiffle balls they brought along have deteriorated quickly.
“Wiffle is picking up fast  here, and we’re running out of balls…right now, we’re destroying about a dozen balls a month at our site…and there’s two sites playing, with the potential for more” said Sumner in an email to the home office. “We’ve got at least seven more months in country – at a minimum.”
As such, he’s appealed to the Fatties to replenish his supply with a shipment of 150 new balls.
We intend to so so.
In lieu of a fund-raiser, we’re asking any interested Fatties and fans to hit up the DONATION page and throw in $10 to the cause. With the coffers currently dry, we estimate that buying and shipping in bulk should allow us to get the job done for around $200, so 20 of you can make it happen.
Thank you, in advance!
**** UPDATE FROM THE HOME OFFICE: Thank you for a tremendous response from all the Fatties!!! We’re happy to announce that a dozen dozen wiffle balls are on their way to Iraq, as of today, courtesy of Brian at EXCURSIONS Journey to Health online eBay store. Be sure to check him our for your wiffle supplies as well!
Thanks to Brian and all the Fatties who responded so quickly…and thanks, most of all, to our men and women in the Middle East! We’ll look forward to the next update from Fat Bastard Iraq II.

CINCINNATI – “First Lady” Amy Byrne, a long time member of the ladies Fatty crew – and the spouse of a War Pig - will run her first half-marathon this spring in Cincinnati’s Flying Pig event on May 2, 2010, to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Long time fans will note our support for the local L&L Society back in 2007.
“I am not a runner and have never done anything like this before,” said Amy, who is running to honor a lost friend, Sarah.
You can check out her progress HERE.
The Fatties have made a donation and would hope that you’d consider doing the same.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN  – The Fatties are on a roll, as a solid crew of Alan “The Kid” Garcia, Dave “Rings” Ringler and Jason “J-Mac” McInerney will hit the road to meet up with Dave “Minny Me” Ringler and Pat “Truck” Moriarity to take on the field in the HRL Twin Cities fifth annual Wifflin’ for Wishes in Hopkins, Minnesota this weekend. According to officials in Minnesota, the ever-growing tourney is expecting around 50 squads to participate. Proceeds exceeding expenses will benefit The Make a Wish Foundation of Minnesota.

Josh “Ten” Carroll is expected to provide the Mickey’s Wide Mouth, although he’s long since informed us that he’s only capable of drinking nine in a sitting.

A report will be posted soon with results.

ROCKFORD – For this season’s activities, the Fatties and their friends will support the Autism Society of Kent County in honor of Harvard Yard neighbor Liam Kelbel and longtime friends the Andrew Mitchell Family. For those of you who have visited Harvard in recent years, you’ve seen Liam enjoying the games – and avoiding Moop‘s gas can.

Autism now strikes nearly 1 in 150 children. For more information, see the ASKC link above.

Our next upcoming event is the Kitt Fisher Mad Scramble on June 20th, so grab your dad and celebrate the Father’s Day weekend by supporting a great cause!

The following is an update from one of our former causes, ex-Detroit Lion Mike Utley and his Foundation for Spinal Injury research:

ORONDO, WA – The Mike Utley Foundation has awarded a Grant of $110,000.00 to Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO for the construction of the Mike Utley Terrain Park. The grand opening of the park is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2008. US News & World Report selected Craig Hospital as one of the top rehabilitation programs in America.

The terrain park will be Craig’s newest physical therapy project. This unique outdoor training park will help hundreds of patients each year who are learning how to walk or control a wheelchair in a variety of outdoor terrain’s. The park will be named after one of Craig’s more well-known graduates, Mike Utley. Craig Hospital stated “The Utley name and story in this park will offer added inspiration to our patients and families.”

The Mike Utley Foundation financially supports research, rehabilitation and education for those living with spinal cord injuries. Utley stated, “The Terrain Park will help patients to lead productive and independent lives following a catastrophic injury.”

ROCKFORD – The Fatties have been proud to be a part of a number of great causes over the past several years and 2008 was no exception as we were able to assist with a pair of worthy parties. As most of you know, we were recently able to assist Iraq veteran and U.S. Marine Corp. Josh Hoffman, as he gets ready to move into his new home.

In additition, we were able to finish our reconciliations for the year and Fisher Fund Vice President Kelley Ringler was pleased to present a check for $2,000.00 to Paws with a Cause representative, Communication Manager Deb Davis in Rockford just a few weeks ago.

We’d like to thank all of YOU, who support and participate in the Fatty activities throughout the year and, especially, our sponsors whose support makes everything possible!

After a little break here at Harvard, you’ll start to see some more activity here in the near future, including the 2008 final rankings to close out the year, along with a tournament summary. We’ll look forward to seeing you all next year as indoor wiffle season, and the Winter Fiasco, are right around the corner!

CHICAGO – Once again, Fatty Hall of Famer Steve “Cougar” Peavler will be participating in “Go Vertical Chicago” in support of the Damon Runyan Cancer Research Foundation. The event will be held on November 9th, where Peavler will walk the stairs to the top of the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago. After that, he’ll likely be taking on some liquid carbohydrates in an effort to replenish himself.

The Fatties contributed last year to this great cause. He’s set a goal of $1500 raised this year. If you are so inclined, feel free to check out Cougar’s page HERE. You can follow his progress towards his goal and find out more about his supported cause.

Good luck, Steve!

GRAND RAPIDS – The Fatties and Fisher Fund Vice President, Kelley Ringler, were proud to present a check in the amount of $2,000.00 to Marine Corporal Josh Hoffman and his fiance Heather Lovell as a result of this year’s tournament.
Thank you to Josh for his service to our country and congratulations on the groundbreaking of their new home, which should be completed shortly, and your recent engagement!

We will also be presenting a check shortly to Paws with a Cause.