DONIPHAN — The ladies of West Point Church in Doniphan have set a goal to raise the funds necessary to attend the Missouri Ladies Conference at Branson. They want to hear the word of God from a woman’s point of view as delivered by Minister Kim Haney and teacher Lisa Doughty, said Kristy Stewart, the event organizer for a busy Easter weekend of fundraising activities.
“It’s important to the ladies group for old and new converts to get together just as ladies to hear the preached word of God,” said Stewart.
The first of the weekend’s activities is a dodge ball tournament on Friday, April 15, at the church’s gym at 252 Ripley Route E. The tournament will be double elimination and is open to teams of six people, 18 years or older, for an entry fee of $50. Individuals under 18 may enter if they have an adult’s consent to play.
A concession stand with hot dogs, drinks and snacks will be available during the tournament. The first ball will fly at 6 p.m.
Following the tournament, there will be an auction of blankets, new power tools, homemade baked goods and more, said Stewart.
Saturday, April 16, will see the Ladies hosting the Swinging for the Kingdom Men’s and Women’s Softball Tournaments at the Doniphan Ball Park. The entry fee for a team is $200.
The first-place team in each tournament will receive a first-place trophy, said Stewart. Ballplayers will also get a chance to win some prize money in a home run derby, she added.
The last day to sign up for the dodge ball or softball tournaments is April 11.
During the softball tournaments, an Easter Bunny will arrive at the pavilion of the ballpark to greet children from birth to 12 years of age. The costumed rabbit is due at 11 a.m. for an Easter Egg Hunt with prizes that range from candy and toys to bigger, yet to be revealed items. Doniphan local Dianne Beckwith will also be on hand to provide face painting.
Stewart won’t say who will be in the bunny costume, but it won’t be her. One of her many jobs during the busy weekend will be umpiring for the softball tournaments.
“I am just a churchgoer,” Stewart insists, but is quick to say that she has “always felt like this church was my home so any way I can help out, I try to.”
Anyone who wishes to sign up for any of the events can contact Stewart at 573-840-4722.