Batter Up! The Enrichment Center Set to Host Charity Classic Softball Game April 15th!

Explore, Fun

March 24, 2023

Many local non-profit communities carry the weight of really heavy, important work, but they often can’t do what they do without community support via a variety of fundraising efforts.

One of the most present, active, and meaningful non-profits that impacts not only our Madison City Schools school system but also several neighboring school systems as well is The Enrichment Center.

The Enrichment Center (TEC) offers free, private, in-school mental health counseling to youth in need. Teachers, administrators, and school counselors act as “gatekeepers” who identify students who are struggling with issues beyond what they can generally help with (i.e. grief, depression, parental divorce, or anything that an adult may seek therapy for).

These one-on-one weekly opportunities to meet with a licensed therapist are often life-changing for students and are offered as long as the students are in need.

The Enrichment Center is a 501c3 and is primarily funded by donors and fundraisers as well as area partners who commit to locking arms with TEC and providing resources as needed.

As part of their fundraising efforts, The Enrichment Center is preparing to tackle one of their largest fundraisers yet, and this time the entire community is invited to play a part (and for some people, they will literally “play” a part!)

On Saturday, April 15th, 2023 The Enrichment Center will host their 1st Annual Charity Classic Softball Game, and families from all over the region are invited to attend an enjoyable afternoon at Toyota Field while watching a light-hearted softball and enjoying related festivities, all while supporting an incredibly worthy cause.

Click here to meet the players!

TEC Executive Director Allison Spratley shares that this softball event has been a long time coming and has been in the works since last June.

“We wanted to plan a fundraising event that the communities we serve could attend,” she shares. “No more golf tournaments or fancy dinners. We serve an underserved community and we want anybody and everybody to come to this event!”

Spratley is thrilled that this 1st annual Charity Classic softball game will be played at Toyota Field, home to the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Players in this charity game are community members as well as school partners (such as principals, teachers, etc.)

“We are so excited that kids can come out to watch some of their teachers and principals play,” Spratley shares with excitement.

She then explains that in addition to those who work at the schools, there are other players who are mental health advocates, police officers, as well as other community members who understand what TEC is on a mission to do and who are equally passionate about getting support to these students in need.

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with the first pitch to follow the National Anthem at 4:30 p.m. Team blue will take on team white in what is expected to be a two-hour softball game.

Several Trash Pandas concession stands will be open too!

Spratley says that every dollar spent on an admission ticket will give back 100% to support students who are so desperately in need of mental health services.

Adult tickets are $10 and student tickets are $5. Children 5 and under are free!

There is also a fun, friendly competition taking place on their website where community members are invited to make a financial donation toward a certain team. Whichever team has raised the most money but opening day will have home team advantage! Click here to view both teams and donate!

If it rains, the game will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 29th.

More about The Enrichment Center

Did you know that TEC serves 45 schools within North Alabama between four school systems (Madison City, Madison County, Huntsville City, and Lawrence County)?

Spratley says that over 35,000 students have access to an Enrichment Center therapist!

“We will see any student in crisis right there at their school.”

In February 2023, The Enrichment Center held 1,649 therapy sessions.

They are also typically called should a student pass away, which Spratley says is incredibly humbling.

“To know that we are part of a team that runs to those kids who are hurting to say that we are here and we are going to help you through this is huge.”

She says that the TEC team receives notes occasionally from students that they’ve worked with, and “we are so glad that we can be a safe place they can come to.”

Can’t attend the 1st Annual Charity Classic Softball Game but want to help in other ways with The Enrichment Center? If you are interested in donating supplies for elementary therapy sessions, TEC would be so grateful. Items routinely needed for restocking at the schools include dolls, sand trays, puppets, crayons and markers, journals, and coloring sheets.

Want to be a financial partner with The Enrichment Center or help in other ways? For more information or to contact or donate to The Enrichment Center, please click here.