Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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12 UCW AUGUST 24 - 30, 2022 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Dodgeball and diabetes: This is no underdog story by KATHLEEN RAMSEY EVENT e cameras roll and six players stroll into the gymnasium at the Freedom Court Complex. ey are confident. ey are ready. ey are prepped. e black jerseys with gold lettering stand out against the white brick walls as they walk onto the court. On the opposite side, the other team huddles, preparing for the competition. e game that they are about to play will take them back to their elementary school days. In this world, there's five rules: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge. In Fayetteville, it's time for dodgeball. Just a few days from now, Better Health of Cumberland County will be hosting its 7th annual Diabetes … Dodge It tournament. is competi- tion is open to the general public for teams of nine, including three subs, with a registration fee that covers the entire team. is now cherished event started years ago when Susan Miller, chair of the dodgeball tour- nament, was looking for "creative" ways to raise funds and awareness for Better Health's commu- nity diabetes education. "Organizations are always looking for new and unique fundraisers. Up in Maryland they do a dodgeball tournament that raises thousands of dollars. I brought the idea up to the board," Miller laughs. "It's been really successful." Miller admits, however, that their fundraiser isn't quite up to the thousands that are raised in Maryland but the turnout in the community has been good. is year, the administrators at Better Health are hoping for 26 to 32 teams. It's been two years since they've been able to run the event due to COVID but are excited about the prospects for this year's event. "People can come out and have fun. It gets peo- ple active — to get out there and move and have some fun," said Christiana Adeyemi, the Executive Director of Better Health of Cumberland County. e event's proceeds and sponsorship money will go towards helping with the diabetic educa- tion clinic that Better Health Cumberland County runs weekly. e program teaches community members about diabetes, healthy habits and how the disease can affect other organs like the heart. "People get a lot of information out of it. Clients are excited," Adeyemi said. "ey can come and take charge of their diabetes." And at the end of all the dodging this Saturday, one team will walk out the victors and have a tro- phy to show for it. "We were really unsure of what to expect. Our goal was to make it fun but competitive," Miller said. "ere's been teams over the years that have been competitive." When reminded about the cult classic, "Dodge- ball," Miller laughs and says they are nowhere near that competitive. e main thing Better Health administrators would like is awareness and for everyone to have a really good time. e event will be on Aug. 27 at the Freedom Court Complex. Teams of six or more can register to play in the event for $150. Spectators are welcome. e event will start at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m. Tickets for the general public will be on sale for $5. For more information, visit betterhealthcc.org. e 2019 tournament champion team was the Cobb Tilghman Group at Merrill Lynch team, Psych Ward. (Photo courtesy Better Health of Cumberland County) KATHLEEN RAMSEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Help your kids to develop reading and critical thinking skills by playing games, solving puzzles, and reading exciting educational stories! VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 10 OCTOBER | 2020 Inspiring, educating, empowering and celebrating women in our community M A G A Z I N E Fayetteville Fall Flavors for Your Table Help for Women's Health Carve and Craft Pumpkin Art More inside: VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER | 2020 Inspiring, educating, empowering and celebrating women in our community M A G A Z I N E Help for Homeschooling Living Large in Small Spaces RV Homes and She Sheds Homeward Bound The Flight of the Monarch Mo's Heroes Founder ShaDonna McPhaul Helping Homeless Vets More inside: WELCOME HOME! VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER | 2020 Inspiring, educating, empowering and celebrating women in our community M A G A Z I N E Easy Entertaining with Friends and Family Amplifying Thanks with a Grateful Attitude Destressing the Holidays Soup's On: Simple Suppers More inside: Simple Pleasures Simple Pleasures BY, FOR & ABOUT Inspiring, educating, empowering and celebrating women in our community