St. Mark Lutheran School sixth-grader Jake Fritsche hosted Swing For A Cure, a wiffle ball home run derby and hitting contest to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
A sixth-grader at St. Mark Lutheran School brought baseball and the community together to support a cause that is close to home for him.
On May 12 Jake Fritsche hosted Swing For A Cure, a wiffle ball home run derby and hitting contest to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Fritsche, who has Type 1 diabetes, wanted to bring awareness and raise money to support finding a cure.
As a student who is consistently on the high honor roll, Fritsche also plays the trumpet in the Cougar Band and is involved in numerous activities in and outside of school. He plays golf; excels in school athletics by participating in soccer, baseball and basketball; and competes in tournament baseball and soccer.
His parents, both Spring Valley residents, have worked hand in hand with the school nurse to navigate the daily requirements of the disease.
“Although it’s not been an easy journey, Jake has managed to squeeze every bit of activity into each and every day and has not allowed the disease to manage him,” said Fritsche’s mother Julie in a press release.
The event had four competitive brackets, allowing youths of all ages to participate. Brackets included boys 10 years old and younger, girls 10 years old and younger, boys 11 years old and older and girls 11 years old and older. Participants paid $20 for 10 outs and an unlimited number of home runs.
