MANALAPAN – The Ali family, who have been residents of Manalapan for more than 30 years, started the Vincent A. Ali Memorial Softball Outing in 2014 as part of its efforts to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), according to a press relase.
The family participates in the Light the Night Walk that is held by LLS each year in Long Branch and created the annual softball game as a fundraiser to contribute to their team, Grandpa’s Trotters, which was started after the family’s patriarch passed away from leukemia in 2013.
To date, Grandpa’s Trotters has raised more than $32,000 for LLS, going to disease research and more, according to the press release.
This year’s event will take place on June 17 at the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522, Manalapan, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The game is open to all ages and experience levels.
The outing was developed four years ago by Alissa Ali, one of the team captains; she has been the director of the event annually, leading efforts from sourcing food and drink donations to raffle donations to logistical organization, according to the press release.
A representative from the New Jersey Light the Night organization is expected to attend to support the event.
A number of participants play while others cheer them on, enjoy the food and drink, and buy tickets to win prizes. Participants are asked for a $25 donation to play. Prizes will be raffled off and include hotel stays, autographed sports memorabilia, tickets for Mets, Yankees and Jets games, restaurant gift certificates, beauty baskets, a 50/50 and more.
The softball outing has been a success over the last four years, in large part due to donations and support from the Manalapan Recreation Center, Pastosa Ravioli, Union Hill Bagel, Wawa, Uncle Gino’s, Dusal’s, Wegmans, Costco, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Battleview Orchards, Krispy Pizza, Let’s Yo, Applebee’s and Levine Financial Group, a Monmouth County-based financial planning company, according to the press release.
For more information, contact Tanya Scalisi at tmscalisi@gmail.com
