Softball game benefits charity foundation

More than 130 softball players raised approximately $12,000 this week during the inaugural Partner Ships In Action Softball Classic at the Roselle Park District.

The charity softball tournament game is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A., which raises funds and awareness to eliminate hunger, disease, illiteracy and poverty in Africa and Asia.

Ten teams from all over the Chicagoland area played in a round-robin tournament Sunday, with team Wise Guys from Aurora taking the first-place title.

Second place went to team Parrot Media from Schaumburg.

Both teams will collect their trophies during the Aga Khan Foundation's annual Partnership Walk Aug. 24 Millennium Park in Chicago.

In addition, about 300 players and spectators joined in family activities Sunday to raise awareness of the foundation's mission.

Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. is a private, nondenominational, not-for-profit international development organization committed to helping poor communities achieve self-reliance.

The foundation supports more than 100 programs in health, education, rural development, civil society and the environment in 18 countries.

Organizers said all donations and net proceeds from this week's softball tournament will directly benefit projects supported by the foundation, with none of the funds spent on administration.

For details, visit www.akdn.org.

- Elisabeth Mistretta