In 2008 Mike Bridge put a mixed slow-pitch team together and entered into a wooden bat tournament called Bats for a Cause. The proceeds went to BC Children's Hospital. Every year since, Mike and his team have continued to support the cause by playing in the tournament, and of course eating and drinking in the beer gardens. (After all it's for a great cause). 

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Year by year, Bats for a Cause grew, and more monies were raised for the Hospital, amongst this  a friendly rivalry began with the team captain of another team. In 2018 the fundraising efforts from Mike, his wife Dani, and Mike's sister Mandy, took fundraising to a whole other level. A Burger & Beer night at the Edgewater Pub in Peachland, BC was put together with a silent auction & 50/50. This generated over $7000 for the cause, and with special thanks to local businesses in the Kelowna, West Kelowna & Peachland area, Mike was the top fundraiser for the tournament ($7,675). 

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In 2019 the Bridge family entered into the tournament, after years of the Bridge kids' watching, they were all finally old enough to participate in the tourney! Mike & Dani once again held a Burger & Beer night at​ the Edgewater Pub. Mandy, and her friend, Karen hosted a dinner & DJ at the Murrayville Pub in Langley, BC. Along with silent auction and 50/50 at both events, they successfully raised over $10,000. Once again, Mike was the top fundraiser for the tournament. 

(of course with the help of all that donated!) 

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In 2020 plans for a dance & DJ, 50/50, and raffle were quickly under way.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 all fundraising efforts were cancelled, as was the Bats for a Cause tournament. 

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Due to Covid 19 in 2021 and respecting the "social distancing" it appeared the fundraising efforts were not going to be taking place. However, Mandy's husband Ryan came up with the idea of a fishing derby and with that B.I.C's 1st Annual Fishing Derby took place on April 17th on both the Shuswap Lake and Okanagan Lake. With the support of anglers', sponsors, donors, friends, family and our communities we raised over $18,000. We are so thankful for the amazing turnout.  Sadly, Bats for a Cause was once again postponed. 

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In 2022 we hosted our 2nd Annual Fishing Derby again on both lakes, as well as being able to participate in the Bats for a Cause tourney. Our team raised $28.000! Not only were we the top fundraisers but our team also tied for 1st in the Super Fun Division. 

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2023 Bats for a Cause reached their million dollar goal!  

On July 22 & 23, 2023 Brewed in Canada (as well as 15 other teams) battled in the Kelowna heat playing 6 games and raising over $123,000. Not only did we place 2nd in the super fun division, but we were the top fundraising team for 2023.

With the support and generous donations for our third annual fishing derby, we donated $37,000 to this great cause.

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This brings us to 2024! We are so excited to be able to continue our fundraising efforts for BC Children's Hospital, and am confident that with our communities supporting us, we can make a difference. Join us for our 4th Annual Fishing Derby & Fundraiser! April 20th, 2024 on the Okanagan Lake and May 11, 2024 on the Shuswap Lake!

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Thank you to all of our friends, family, sponsors and donors for making this all possible. It is truly appreciated.