Lightbulb ignites generosity in Joey Langdon
Sports
Posted By CORY SMITH, SENTINEL-REVIEW
Updated 1 month ago
The giant United Way thermometer has long been a symbol of civic goodwill. Its lightbulbs are meant to signify milestones reached during each fundraising campaign.
When Joey Langdon was five, he saw the thermometer and another lightbulb went off .
"One night after a baseball game we drove past the thermometer," he said. "I said, 'What can I do to help out?' I decided to try a charity ballgame when my dad was doing a celebrity golf tournament.
"I felt really bad and I wanted that thermometer to go up."
The game originally ran in conjunction with his father Bob Langdon's golf tournament.
Six years later, the game is going strong and Joey, now 11, has helped raise more than $10,000 for local charities. This year's event runs Saturday, August 7 at 1 p.m. at Park Row, off of Mill Street.
"I'm getting excited," he said. "We don't have a lot of people playing this year but there are a lot of people donating. It will be great."
His generosity is something that developed early.
"It's amazing," Bob Langdon said. "It makes me feel so proud that he has th this since he was five. He is a very giving and generous kid, always has been."
Mixing charity with baseball was "kind of a given," Joey said.
"Everyone should at least do something to show that they care and do their part," he said. "It's such a good feeling."
Since its inception, the ballgame has raised money for the United Way, the Hawkins Family Memorial Fund and now the John Jensen Play Hockey Fund, which helps less fortunate kids play hockey.
"There's a lot of guys in Woodstock I know where I say, 'Why don't you play hockey? They say (they) can't afford it, so this helps them afford playing hockey more."
The game started as a few family and friends and has grown every year. Donations can be made while at the game or at the post-game barbecue at 10 Pebble Beach Court. Money can also be dropped off at the minor hockey office at the Community Complex. Donations over $10 receive a tax receipt.
Joey, an aspiring sports broadcaster, hopes to continue organizing the game and giving to those in need. The goal this year is another $1,000.
"It means a lot," he said. "Ever since my third or fourth year it feels like 12 people are going to come but 400 people are going to donate. There's people in the States who donate and it feels like I'm bringing people together."
corysmith@bowesnet.com
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