Two teams, one Classic, all heart
Funds raised by the annual Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic — just more than $2.2 million since the game’s inception in 1974 — are thoughtfully distributed year after year to help area individuals and organizations tackle their own life tests.
Charities Classic Committee President Brian South said, “All proceeds (from the game are) donated to charitable causes.
“In the past year, we’ve helped several children with illnesses — anything from cancer to needing different types of surgeries,” South noted. “We’ve been able to help them and their families access appointments, whether that’s gas, hotel stays, co-pays or whatever they need it for.
“We’ve certainly also helped adults facing cancer and other illnesses,” he continued. “We’ve helped them face those challenges.”
There is almost no limit to either the amount or the recipients who can benefit from some community assistance, from individuals in need throughout the Big 30 area in Pennsylvania and New York, to the Smethport Community Pool, Camp JJ in McKean County, Healthy Families Allegany/Cattaraugus in New York and Bradford’s Friendship Table. Typically, awards range between $500 and $2,000, South said.
South noted that, while the event and committee’s website is being rebuilt, anyone interested in submitting a request for assistance can message the Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic Facebook page, or approach any of the approximately 30 men and women on the Big 30 Charities Classic Committee. In addition to South, officers are Steve Abers, vice president; Stuart Abers, secretary; Audrey South, treasurer; or Shawn Llewellyn, Football Committee chair. The completed request form will be considered at the committee’s next monthly meeting, then voted on by the entire group. Members represent communities throughout the Big 30 area — Pennsy’s McKean, Potter, Elk, Cameron and Warren counties, and Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua counties in New York.
Various service groups and teams also volunteer on game day, running the concession stands, selling programs and taking gate tickets.
“We’re grateful to a number of groups that obviously play a big role in putting this thing on,” South said. “It’s a pretty big game and it definitely takes a lot of people to pull it off well.”
Warren Semmel, South noted, will serve his 50th year with this year’s game.
“Warren is that long-term committee man,” South said. “Right now he serves as the press box liaison, helping with any communication needs with members of the media, such as rosters or anything they need, they can go to him and he can get that information for them.
“Warren helped for a number of years with program distribution at the game, monitoring gates, taking tickets and welcoming people,” South shared. “He’s done quite a bit over that time.”
A shared love for the game of football keeps the committee engaged, year after year, with a number of members who have “been involved in this thing for a long, long time,” he said. “We’re incredibly grateful — it wouldn’t happen without all of them.
“We all love football and it’s a way for us to stay involved in the game,” South observed. “The favorite part of all our monthly meetings is when we review the requests and get to help support people from our communities. For me, personally, that’s what I get out of it — the ability to give back to those who need it.”
