Cheers to this fund-raiser!
Seasoned and newbie beer pong players tossed a few balls — and tossed back a few drinks — to raise money for the American Cancer Society during the “Pink Pong Tournament” at Mariners Inn on Oct. 21, hosted by the Relay for Life team of MCU Park. Players dressed up in all pink and fired their best shots for a chance to take home a six-pack of beer — but the best part of the tourney was raising money for the cause, said one player from New Jersey who works with the Cyclones baseball team, which plays at MCU Park.
The games were a blast, said one player, who called the fund-raiser a straight-up success — even if she couldn’t always shoot straight.
“It was a lot of fun — basically just a social get-together for a good cause,” said Jessica Klein, whose erratic shots cost her a winning title. “I make random shots I don’t think I’m going to and then the easy ones I miss. I don’t like to take it too seriously.”
Players raised a total of $800 and hope the event grows to attract more participants next year, said Long Islander Ryan Coye — who came in first place with his partner, organizer Joe Gillette.
“It was a lot of fun, and hopefully it gets bigger and bigger next year and beyond,” said Coye.
Mariners Inn provided the suds, organizers said. Runners up took home bottles of antacid to soothe the loss, and the winning team walked away with a six-pack of Coney Island Brewing’s Home Plate Pale Ale — a fitting gift to celebrate that the group’s Making Strides cancer walk is moving to The People’s Playground next year, said Gillette.
“Our whole event is moving to Coney Island in the spring, so we thought it would be appropriate,” he said. “And two Pepto Bismols for their upset stomachs for losing the tournament.”
