St. Louis Emerging Labor Leaders’ (StELL) annual Kick Start to School charity kickball tournament to benefit the St. Louis Crisis Nursery will be held Sunday July 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC), 13212 Ferguson Lane in Bridgeton, MO.

Proceeds will be used to purchase school supplies for children served by the Nursery, which works to prevent child abuse and neglect and provides emergency intervention, respite care and support to families in crisis. Last year’s tournament raised $1,500 for the Nursery.

StELL President Gordon Smith Jr., a member of CWA Local 6300, said organizers are looking for participants to fill team slots as well as donations.

DONATION, SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

All donations will be accepted, Smith said, but one of the most popular is the Backstop Sponsorship.

With a Backstop Sponsorship, your name, or that of your union or other organization will be included on a limited edition t-shirt along with other sponsors. Your name or group name will also be included on one of the backstops at the ballpark.

Sponsorship rates are $100 for the t-shirt and $200 for the backstop and t-shirt. Larger donations will be appreciatively accepted.

All sponsors and teams need to be registered by June 30.

TEAM SIGN-UPS

Entry fee is $125 per 10-person or larger team. Players must be at least 18 years old.

Make checks payable to the St. Louis Labor Council and write “Kickball Team” in the memo section. Send checks to 2258 Grissom Drive, St. Louis MO 63146.

Food and soft drinks will be provided. Alcohol is permitted, but no glass bottles.

ABOUT StELL

StELL is a group of young and newer union members working together to educate, empower and mobilize the next generation of labor leaders. The group recently hosted a job fair for those interested in getting into a union trade in Ferguson and is planning another career event in October.

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page or contact Smith at 314-593-5513 or email him at [email protected].