Two kickball teams, named after a pair of young cancer survivors, made history in Naugatuck at 12:04 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, 2012.
It was at that very minute that the teams, which had been playing since 9:04 a.m. on Friday, broke the world record for longest held kickball game.
The two teams, Team Sammy and Team Juliana, of the World Adult Kickball Association, then went on to play for three more hours during their marathon game at Linden Park.
In total, the teams played 54 hours, with five-minute breaks allotted for each hour.
“It was, honestly, one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” said Sean Cummings, the event coordinator after the 51-hour mark was hit.
But there was also another good cause attached to this monumental effort. In total, the players raised $41,000 in small donations toward Kick-It.org, a sports-related non-profit that provides funding for doctors searching for the cure of child cancer.
Stacey McPhate, New England coordinator for CuresSearch who also played in the marathon game, said 95 percent of the proceeds will go to the doctors.
“I never imagine we would rais all the money we raised,” Cumming said.
The teams were named in honor of Juliana Beloin and Sammy Foran, two children who had beaten cancer a few years ago.
Juliana’s father, event emcee Tim Beloin, said it means a lot to him and his family that so many came out to support the teams in the game.
“Most don’t know a child with cancer,” Beloin said. "So it was a humbling experience."
.
Patch will post a video and a complete photo gallery by Monday. Check back then.
