Community joins forces to raise funds for Smithfield Little League

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — The Smithfield community is coming together to show their support for the 12-year-old All Star team headed to the Little League World Series.

On Monday, Smithfield Little League hosted a pep rally to help financially support the team while in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The acting president of Smithfield Little League, Shanyn Turner, said the total goal is to raise $51,000, but $36,000 of that will help relieve the financial burden on Little League families in Williamsport. Turner said they want to provide $3,000 to each child.

“Which is just a little bit of what they need, so the more we can collect, the more we can give,” said Turner.

The pep rally included games for the children, food, music, and Smithfield Little League merchandise available to purchase.

Local businesses also paid to be there, to show support for the community they love so much.

“Community, it’s all about people, this effort has been, well it’s been an unbelievable response,” said the co-owner of Jaswell’s Farm in Smithfield, Chris Jaswell.

Jaswell added the little league holds a special place in his heart, so he’s honored to help raise funds for the team.

“I have a 9-year-old All Sstar that’s looking up to these older fellas, and we had a great time. We went to Bristol to watch them beat New York and we’re pulling for them in Williamsport,” explained Jaswell.

Turner said in the 72 years of Little League in Smithfield, this is the first time any team is heading to the World Series.

Turner said it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“We’re a small town, a small state, and we’re neighbors, we’re tenacious, and everybody’s coming together, rallying behind,” said Turner.

She added that no donation is too small.

“We need to raise a lot of money to support the kids to get the families a little bit of relief, they’re missing work they couldn’t have prepared for this, because you know baseball is superstitions, parents are out of work for weeks, there going to be there 9-16 days, I’d like to say 16,” said Turner.

If you didn’t make it to the pep rally and would like to donate, you can do so at any of the Smithfield Little League’s website and social media pages.

The team plays on Wednesday in Williamsport.