Aspire of WNY employees from the Southern Tier hit it out of the park at the Terry F. Ristau Industrial Memorial Softball Tournament in Warren, Pennsylvania on August 16th. The event was a vibrant afternoon of barbecue, softball, and team building, bringing together staff, families, and individuals that we support!
Seventeen employees across numerous divisions from the Southern Tier represented Aspire of WNY by participating in the tournament. The team-the Aspiring Allstars- played two games, facing off against Mousey Electronics and Northwestern Mutual. This family-friendly event also featured a BBQ lunch with hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and cookies. Participants were encouraged to bring additional snacks, treats, or drinks from home as well!
When the idea of forming a team was first proposed to Southern Tier staff, the response was overwhelming, with many employees across all divisions eagerly signing up. Despite the high level of interest, every participant had the chance to take to the field!
Tim Perrin, Fiscal Intermediary at Aspire of WNY, played a key role in organizing the event. He assembled the game rosters and arranged two practice sessions at the Busti Church of God in the weeks leading up to the tournament, making sure every employee was ready to take the field.
One particularly special moment of the tournament was when two individuals supported by our agency, Devin and Nick, came to cheer on Joseph Lynch, Facilitator of Life Choices at Aspire of WNY. Joseph coaches Devin and Nick’s Special Olympics softball team, so the roles were reversed as they excitedly cheered for their coach!
In addition to Devin and Nick, several other residents of Aspire of WNY group homes, along with their staff, attended the tournament. The Aspire Allstars even had a mascot for the day—Luna, the dog of Sara Pittock, Data Management and Intake Specialist at Aspire of WNY!
“It was a very fun experience and a great way to get people together, helping them form relationships outside of work. These types of activities are fantastic for staff morale and make coming to work even more enjoyable,” said Jolene Armes, Community Supports Staffing Specialist at Aspire of WNY.
“We were there representing Aspire of WNY, and everything that we do for the people we support. There were a lot of people approaching us to learn more about our work, so this day also provided us with a great opportunity to get our name out there a bit more, and spread awareness about the services that we provide,” says Kelly Blake, Intake Specialist at Aspire of WNY.
Here at Aspire of WNY, we recognize the value and potential of every employee and feel that employee engagement is essential to providing the best services possible to the individuals supported through our agency.
Our agency is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Terry F. Ritsau Industrial Memorial Softball Tournament, and we look forward to more opportunities to help bring together our employees in the future!