Category | News

Softball to host Jacob’s Ladder fundraiser April 4

Published on March 31, 2009 by Andy Nelson

The women’s softball team will host its second annual Lexi’s Day and Jacob’s Ladder Fundraiser at Bailey Park on Saturday, April 4.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Jacob’s Ladder Neurological Learning Center in Roswell, a non-profit organization that provides a safe learning environment for children with neurological disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome. Since its founding in 1999, Jacob’s Ladder has evaluated over 600 children.

The fundraiser is especially geared toward Lexi Kiser, six-year-old daughter of Chip Kiser, who suffers from cerebral palsy. She has been going to Jacob’s Ladder since she was three years old. According to Scott Whitlock, head coach of the women’s softball team, the team hosts Lexi’s Day “to raise public awareness of kids that face the challenges of living with cerebral palsy and to help fund Lexi’s experience at Jacob’s Ladder.” Lexi now spends four hours a day at the learning center participating in kindergarten academia as well as activities meant to enhance her muscle movement. 

“Whereas I knew of Lexi’s challenges, I never really thought about the tremendous financial challenges that families and organizations have in providing care and education to beautiful, special kids like Lexi,” said Whitlock, who has known the Kiser family for many years. “Sometime last year, it dawned on me—‘Scott, here you are blessed with healthy kids. You have made a career coaching tremendous female athletes. Why can’t you and your players do something to make people aware that Lexi, and others like her, need a little help?’”

After sharing Lexi’s story with the softball team, they decided to make Lexi’s Day an annual event. Last year, they were able to raise over $1,000.

“It was great,” said Kiser when describing last year’s Lexi’s Day. “The softball team enjoyed it, and it really meant something to them. For not knowing me or her, they really helped out a lot.” 

This year, the team plans to go a step further by serving food from the Marietta Fish Market and offering inflatables outside the Bailey Complex. In addition, the players will be going in to the stands to collect donations. T-shirts and other giveaways will also be available. Lunch will be served from 12-2 p.m. at the Bailey Complex.

At 2 p.m., the ladies will play their Atlantic Sun rival, Florida Gulf Coast. Tickets for the event are $10, which includes the game ticket as well as lunch. To purchase tickets, visit ksuowls.ticketsxchange.com or call 678-797-2800. 

“I genuinely feel that when we as athletes, coaches and the KSU community do things to help enrich the life of a kid such as Lexi, we are truly playing at the highest of levels,” said Whitlock. “I hope that all who come will be well-fed, entertained and leave knowing that their participation will make an impact on a special young lady, and others like her.”