TAMKO, a manufacturer of building products, has extended its community engagement efforts by sponsoring the Webb City 12-and-under All-Star team’s trip to the Midwest Regional Tournament. The company’s support highlights the intersection of corporate social responsibility and youth sports development in local communities.
TAMKO contributed $5,000 to support the team’s journey to the tournament, which is taking place near Indianapolis. The donation was split between two sources: $2,500 from the TAMKO Foundation and an additional $2,500 from TAMKO’s President and CEO David Humphreys and his wife, Debra.
This sponsorship addresses a crucial aspect of youth sports participation often overlooked: the financial burden on families. Advancing in tournaments requires not only athletic prowess but also significant fundraising efforts to cover travel, lodging, and meal expenses. TAMKO’s contribution aims to alleviate some of this financial pressure, enabling the team to focus on their performance.
Jackson Moore, a member of the Webb City 12U Little League All-Stars, expressed gratitude for the donation, describing it as “a big chunk out of the $20, $30k that we need.” This statement underscores the substantial costs associated with participating in regional tournaments and the impact of corporate sponsorships in making such opportunities accessible to young athletes.
Chad Woodmansee, Assistant Coach of the Webb City 12U Little League team, highlighted the challenges of fundraising, noting that accumulating small donations can be a slow process. He emphasized the significance of securing support from a major company like TAMKO in meeting their financial goals.
The sponsorship aligns with TAMKO’s broader community engagement strategy. Alex Hines, TAMKO VP of Sales & Marketing, contextualized the sponsorship within the company’s 80-year history and its commitment to local communities. Hines stated, “We serve communities where we have our local operations. And so it’s phenomenal to get involved at that local level. We love to do that.”
TAMKO’s support of the Webb City team is particularly noteworthy given the city’s history with the Little League World Series. Webb City teams have previously qualified for the prestigious tournament in Williamsport in 2002 and 2015. This track record suggests a strong youth baseball program in the community, which TAMKO’s sponsorship helps to sustain and develop.
The Webb City team’s participation in the Midwest Regional Tournament places them in competition with teams from other states, including Nebraska and potentially Riverton, representing Kansas. The games are scheduled to be streamed live on ESPN-Plus, providing exposure for both the young athletes and their sponsors.
TAMKO’s sponsorship of the Webb City Little League team exemplifies how corporations can positively impact local communities through sports. By supporting youth athletics, companies like TAMKO contribute to the development of young people, foster community pride, and potentially inspire future generations of athletes and leaders.
As the Webb City team competes in the Midwest Regional Tournament, they carry with them not only the hopes of their community but also the tangible support of local businesses like TAMKO. This partnership between corporate entities and youth sports organizations demonstrates the potential for mutually beneficial relationships that extend beyond the playing field. CopyRetry