Turkey Bowl returns to Middletown Friday
Seventh annual event hopes to eclipse $100,000 mark in dollars raised

The founders of the Turkey Bowl football tournament, and the charity Jason's Dreams for Kids, have called upon the Monmouth County community and beyond to continue their generous support of an event that this year will surpass $100,000 in total dollars raised and earmarked toward fulfilling the dreams of children diagnosed with life-threatening diseases.

The area's premier football tournament, the Turkey Bowl, marking its seventh year as the can't-miss event for the area's armchair athletes and Monday-morning quarterbacks, will be held Friday at Thompson Middle School on Nut Swamp Road in Middletown. The event generated in excess of $16,000 for Jason's Dreams in 2005, and the organization is looking to double that total this year.

Founded in 1992 in memory of Jason Douglas Creager, who passed away on Jan. 18, 1992, after losing his battle with cancer, Jason's Dreams for Kids Inc. is devoted to granting wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Jason's Dreams for Kids Inc. holds a variety of fundraising events to meet the cost of fulfilling these children's wishes.

"This year we hope to blow by the $100,000 mark in total dollars raised since the inception of the event," said Adam Kazalski, founder of the Turkey Bowl. "The community's historical support of this event has been tremendous. We strongly believe, like that of the children we are supporting through Jason's Dreams for Kids, aided by the contributions of others, our potential is limitless."

The Turkey Bowl was created to marry all the good will felt around Thanksgiving with a notable cause and a football tournament that would help unclog the arteries of all those who went a bit overboard days earlier. The event has grown dramatically since first conceived in 2000, and later in 2001 was earmarked as an event to support Sept. 11 victims, before ultimately hooking up with Jason's Dreams for Kids.

Initially, the event featured four local teams from the Little Silver/Red Bank/Rumson area and just a few sponsors, and games were held at Sickles Field in Little Silver with room to spare.

The event has since grown to 16 teams and far surpassed early expectations - in terms of participation, with teams coming from out of state, sponsorships from companies big and small across New Jersey, dollars raised - and a few years back, stretched the confinements of Sickles Field. Today, interest in the event has grown so great that hosting the tournament is now even pushing the boundaries of this year's location, Thompson Middle School. Players range in age from 18 to 55, while the bulk of the participants are between 25 and 40 years old.

"When we first partnered with The Turkey Bowl, we envisioned a vehicle toward raising awareness of Jason's Dreams for Kids, but had no idea how significant a contribution the event would ultimately provide our organization or the impact it would hold locally," said Dennis McGinnis, founder of Jason's Dreams for Kids and a Red Bank businessman. "We are thrilled to be involved with an event that so many look forward to participating in and importantly fuels our mission of fulfilling dreams for kids diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses."

There are sponsorship opportunities for as little as $250 still available for local businesses, big business with ties to Monmouth County, and others who simply want to support a good cause and enjoy a day of fun.

While there are currently many sponsors for this event, to achieve this year's aggressive goal of more than doubling 2005's effort, the Turkey Bowl is looking for a Platinum sponsor. This would be one large corporate sponsor to essentially match the total money raised at the event.

Approximately 95 percent of sponsors re-up every year and nearly 85 percent of teams participating have been involved in the Turkey Bowl multiple times.

Adding to the fundraising effort will be a new twist this year that provides incentive for participating teams to raise dollars beyond their event participation fee. The team that raises the most money from friends and families and from their own pockets will win a team dinner with a number of former professional athletes from the area.

Sixteen teams will compete in Turkey Bowl 2006. Games begin at 10 a.m. and will be played until 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

Following the games, there will be a post-tournament awards ceremony and a family-oriented celebration from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Chubby's on West Front Street in Red Bank. Admission is free and the after-party includes hot food and a cash bar.

"The Turkey Bowl is one of the highlights of my year," said annual participant David Green. "Year after year we come to compete, have fun and give a little back to a worthwhile cause. It is by far the best organized sporting event I have been a part of."

For information on the Turkey Bowl or to register a team, contact or visit www.theturkeybowl.org.

To make a contribution to Jason's Dreams for Kids, call (732) 758-0060, or e-mail jasonsdreams@aol.com.