Dodging for Dollars raises nearly $60,000 for Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield

Published in the July 30, 2018 edition

STONEHAM/WAKEFIELD — With the last matching gift finalized, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield are proud to announce their third Annual Dodging for Dollars event raised over $57,000.00 from nearly 1,200 donors for Stoneham and Wakefield kids. The event brought together 42 dodgeball teams and 338 dodgeball players over four days at both Clubs back in April.

Match ups were intense with the biggest rivalries being between municipal departments and Stoneham and Wakefield teams.

The police won the day as both Stoneham and Wakefield Police Departments defeated the Stoneham and Wakefield Fire Departments respectively.

Stoneham Police Team Captain Christopher Apalakis stated “Helping local kids and beating up on firefighters are two of my favorite activities. So this event is a win-win for the police. In all seriousness, the Clubs have helped a generation of kids, and is where both my kids go. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help them.”

In inter-town match ups though, it was all Stoneham in two nail-biters. The Stoneham DPW defeated the Wakefield DPW, and Stoneham Town Leaders defeated Wakefield Town Leaders; both games came down to Game 7.

Selectboard member George Seibold and top fundraiser for Stoneham Leaders, never had any doubt of the victory.

“In Stoneham, we have a saying, ‘if you’re not winning, you’re most likely not playing Wakefield.’ We let them win a few games for the crowd, but we knew we would win. More importantly though, we raised a lot of money, and helped a lot of kids. I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Wakefield Town Councilor Ed Dombroski responded, “I’m incredibly proud of our team. What a group of fierce competitors. We are, after all, proudly known as the Warriors. While we didn’t bring home the trophy this year, the real winners were the children attending our Boys and Girls Clubs. We were able to raise a lot of money to support an organization that makes an important impact in our community every day. Our sights are set for Dodging for Dollars 2019. We hope our competition is ready.”

Despite the loss, Saritin Rizzuto, top fundraiser for Wakefield Leaders said she felt inspired.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield is an exceptional organization led by a great team whose commitment and dedication inspire our community to go above and beyond to support their efforts with our kids. I am grateful for the opportunity to support our community as a player.”

Other political and corporate match-ups were just as intense.

Tarpey Insurance upset Keith’s Tree Removal for the second year in a row.

HD Physical Therapy won for a third year in a row, defeating Insperity.

Wakefield’s Teens barely defeated their biggest supporters at Epsilon.

Prosecutors for Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Office dominated Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s Office.

Prestige Homes Real Estate defeated Club staff.

Brightview Senior Living defeated their neighbors at the Savings Bank.

Hallmark Health held their own against the Club’s Stoneham Staff.

Shire Pharmaceuticals defeated Lahey Health.

Wakefield’s SDL, Inc. defeated Stoneham’s Life Care Center.

C-4 Analytics inter-staff could have been the most intense as Team Blue defeated Team Red.

Staples defeated the Club’s Wakefield Staff.

MassPay defeated the combo-team of Northern Business Machines & Salem Five.

Velvet Green Organic Lawn Care defeated the Ross Family Team.

The Reopell Brothers continued their undefeated steak by defeating Rebirth Body Transformation Center.

Stop and Shop and Team Pin Pals played a very intense match that led to Team Green’s victory.

Even families got involved.

Other than the Reopell Brothers and the Ross Family Team, it was a rematch of last year’s classic: Team Gatto v. Team Getty. This year the Getty Family defeated the Gatto’s in an all-time classic.