By Jody Stewart
Saturday afternoon at Avondale Park, LaFayette Councilwoman Tammie Williams’s plan for a kickball tournament came to life. A large crowd came out to participate in the fundraiser for the family of three children in the LaFayette community that are experiencing health issues.
Eight teams were formed and competed in the first annual event. While kickball is a game most everyone played in elementary school this was no child’s play Saturday night. Generations of family and friends were on the field beginning at 5:30 and as night approached the big lights came on and the event went past 10pm until a winner was declared.
Winding up on top was the team Replenish that represented Adaiden De’Mari Love-Burton.
Adaiden De’Mari Love-Burton was born April 28, 2015 to parents Shaquita Burton
and Tony Love. Adaiden suffers with cerebral palsy and autism.
While many of the city council worked as referees on the field, Mayor Vines said he was more of a spectator himself.
Mayor Vines, “I am so pleased with the great turn out we had. The people of LaFayette are great. All you have to do is ask them to show up and they will. Some of the nicest people in the world are right here in LaFayette. LaFayette always supports one another.”
Alaina White, the 9-year-old daughter of Shontavaous and Kevin White
who was diagnosed with Acute B Cell Leukemia in August 2021 was helping her family serve all those who came to her tent dinner. Shontavaous White Alaina’s mom, “We have eleven people on our kickball team, mostly family and some friends, but most important is the time spent with everyone. This is just so much fun.”
Cayden Finley was also at the kickball game. His team had eighteen family and friends participate. Cayden enjoyed the afternoon under the lights of the field. His family served lemonade and nachos. Cayden Finley was born on September 10, 2010 to parents Orenthial and Stephanie Finley. Cayden was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS or Half a heart).
Cayden has had three major open-heart surgeries, many heart catheterizations
and other minor procedures. During Cayden’s second open heart surgery, he
had a stroke which resulted in him developing Cerebral Palsy.
Councilwomen Williams, “This was better than I could have imagined. We have had such good participation, and everyone wants to make it an annual event.”