Twins step up to plate to raise money for Jimmy Fund
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Thursday, May 4, 2006  |
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![[Image]](/content_images/050406_bee-08.jpg) |
| Photos courtesy of CASS SAPIR |
| Twin brothers Cass, left, and Tim Sapir visit Tropicana Field for Sunday’s Rays-Red Sox game during their Tour for the Cure to raise $100,000 for The Jimmy Fund. |
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BELLEAIR BEACH - A local couple hosted two young men last weekend who are on an ambitious trek to raise money for cancer research by visiting 180 baseball parks around the country in 180 days.
Twins Cass and Tim Sapir began their trek in Texas last month and, as of May 1, had visited 30 stadiums in 25 days. The 27 year olds, however, fear their actual goal of 189 stadiums in 170 days may be in danger, mostly because of rising fuel costs.
"Our slogan is 180 stadiums in 180 days because it sounds good," Cass said.
Their personal budget of $15,000 is likely to be gone before reaching their goal. He said they had budgeted $6,000 for fuel on the estimated 50,000-mile journey to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund.
In planning their travel during the past two years, they had identified a route that would take them through the Tampa Bay area. Cass talked to his long-time girlfriend Elana Feldman about staying with her great aunt and uncle who live in Belleair Beach. Staying at Feldman's relatives would help the two young men save money on hotels, for which they had budgeted $5,000. Another $5,000 was set aside for food, Cass said.
"They are just wonderful," said Sylvia Holstein who, with her husband Morton, welcomed the twins into their home. "They are so dedicated and are giving up six months of their lives for their cause. You don't find many young people like this anymore."
While in Tampa Bay, the twins set up at the Clearwater Thresher's game on April 28, Dunedin Blue Jays game on April 29, and Tampa Bay Devil Ray's game on April 30.
At some ballparks during the tour they’ve thrown out the first pitch and teams have generously donated items to be raffled. All of the money raised is donated to the Jimmy Fund.
One of the oldest cancer research fundraisers, the Jimmy Fund is well known in New England.
"The Jimmy Fund started in 1948 when the Variety Club of New England (now the Variety Children's Charity of New England) and the Boston Braves baseball team joined forces to help a 12-year-old cancer patient dubbed "Jimmy." On a national radio broadcast, millions heard the boy visit his heroes from the Braves as they stood by his hospital bed," according to the Web site www.jimmyfund.com."
After the broadcast, contributions started coming in and continued and in time, the Jimmy Fund was created.
It was during the Yankees-Red Sox playoff games in 2004 when the avid Red Sox fans started dreaming of a tour of ballparks to raise money for the Jimmy Fund, Cass said.
"Watching the Yankees take the first three games so frustrated us that we started talking about going to other city's to watch their teams play," he said. "The Jimmy Fund was a no-brainer because it's such a big deal in the Boston area. Cancer affects everyone in the country."
He said everyone has a family member or close friend with cancer.
"Some people have asked us why they should contribute to a Boston charity," he said. "Clinical trials and new treatments developed at Dana-Farber have helped people all over the world."
The twins said they hoped to raise $100,000 for the Jimmy Fund. Cass said they hoped all of their expenses would be covered by their own money and by sponsors, businesses and individuals. But the sponsors haven't yet come to their aid.
"We're hoping that the great visibility we get at each stadium will help build momentum and publicity so that people will donate to our Web site, www.tourforthecure.org, and for sponsors to help us with expenses," he said.
Cass is an independent documentary producer who has had projects aired on A&E and Discovery channels, including several NOVA episodes. His brother, Tim, is a bar manager at an Aspen hotel.
Because of rising fuel prices, all of their plans could come to an abrupt end after just a few months.
"We're looking at our budget now and it looks like six months may be impossible," he said.
Sponsors would receive high visibility at each stadium, with banners where the pair sells the raffle tickets as well as some mention on the public address system and, possibly on jumbotrons where they are available.
One thing is going right for the young men, Cass said.
"I don't know what's going on but we've had 30 straight days of sun and 85 degrees," he said.
Last weekend Tim found out just how intense that sun is in Florida after suffering a bad sunburn.
The twins said anyone wishing to sponsor their tour could call them at (401) 474-3827 or send an e-mail to cass@tourforthecure.org.
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Article published on Thursday, May 4, 2006
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