Memorial softball tournament declared a success

WASHINGTON — Organizers said they were happy with the turnout for sporting event and fundraiser in memory of Mary Bump, a Washington native who died in 2021 from cancer.

Julie Sillanpaa, Bump’s sister and an organizer from the Mary Bump Memorial Foundation, said the group had filled a 12-team roster for the event, and lined up enough sponsorships that all expenses were covered before the first pitch.

"Mary did play softball,“ she said. ”It can bring families together, it can bring communities together … it’s just something that everybody can do and get involved in.“

All proceeds from the event were donated to Cans for Cancer, another Washington-based group, according to Sillanpaa, who said organizers hoped to repeat the tournament as an annual affair.

“We’ll be doing it again next year and in years to come, and hopefully make it bigger and better each year,” she said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com