Bubblers score off-field win

The Boiling Springs softball team rallies around a teammate's brother.

Friday, May 07, 2010

BY ADAM KULIKOWSKI akulikowski45@gmail.com

Boiling Springs coach Steve Darchicourt had every reason April 28 to be proud of his softball team.

Jordan Darchicourt pitched a three-inning no-hit shutout -- spoiled only by a lone walk to the first batter she faced.

And the Bubblers clubbed Harrisburg 15-0.

Both certainly brought a smile to the coach's face.

But it is what the team did after they came off the field that mattered most. They attended a fundraiser for the Central Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Awareness Group at Chili's Restaurant.

For the Bubblers, the nonprofit holds special meaning: Sophomore third baseman Kait Fox's younger brother, Carson, has Down syndrome.

Throughout the season, the Bubblers have made the 5-year-old Carson part of the team, visiting him in the stands after games.

But on April 28, the team did more.

After attending the event at Chili's -- which donated 10 percent of proceeds from the meals during the nonprofit's event -- Darchicourt and the team decided to hold their own fundraiser to help support the organization.

The team will host a car wash May 15 at Metro Bank at 65 Ashland Ave. in Carlisle to raise additional funds.

It says a lot about the character of the girls and how they have come together as one team in such a short period of time.

Each player has different challenges every day on the field, but participating with the organization brings the message home that there are far greater challenges for us all to take on besides those in the game of softball.

The gesture nearly made Heather Fox-Kauffman, Carson and Kait's mother and CPADSAG co-founder, cry.

"I'm totally overwhelmed with this group of girls," Fox-Kauffman said, "how they want to give back to their community and help where ever they can. My heart just is overwhelmed.

"And I'm amazed at their willingness to give up a Saturday to wash cars and get nothing out of it personally except the satisfaction that the proceeds will go toward helping the individuals with Down syndrome."

Fox-Kauffman, along with Brian and Cori Guillaume and Andy Smarr, founded the nonprofit in 2008 as a way to collect donations for a fundraising walk to raise awareness for Down syndrome. Proceeds are used to provide grants to families that aid in promoting personal development of individuals with Down syndrome.

For more information on the Central Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Awareness Group, go to www.cpadsag. org