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Softball game raises money

Sunday, July 26, 2009 8:07 AM CDT

The Charli Anna Foundation donated more than $700 in gift cards to the Cardiac ICU, Pediatric ICU and Neonatal ICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The gift baskets were delivered on July 16 to Katie Tarantola, a social worker at the hospital. The baskets included a toy and gift certificates for various restaurants near the hospital. - Submitted photo

A Cardinals alumni vs. Blues alumni charity softball game raised approximately $12,500 for the Charli Anna Foundation.

The game at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in St. Peters was held as a fundraiser for the foundation in May. Heather Merseal, co-founder of the foundation in her daughter’s name, said about 1,500 people attended the event.

The money will be used for the upkeep on the Al Hrabosky House for the Charli Anna Foundation.

The house provides a family atmosphere while a loved one is in the hospital. This home is used for families who have a long drive one way each day and helps alleviate the pressures of finding housing for their whole family while a loved one is in Children's Hospital, Cardinal Glennon Hospital or any of the other local hospitals.

A Trap and Skeet shoot on July 11 raised a few hundred dollars that went toward gift certificate baskets for families.

Merseal said the Charli Anna Foundation donated more than $700 in gift cards to the Cardiac ICU, Pediatric ICU and Neonatal ICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The gift baskets were delivered on July 16 to Katie Tarantola, a social worker at the hospital. The baskets included a toy and gift certificates for various restaurants near the hospital.

The next fundraiser event will be a Night Bass Fishing Tournament held at Council Bluff Lake. It will be held from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Aug. 1. Cost is $50 per two-person boat.

Tentative dates for future events include a Gospel Concert on Oct. 3 in Potosi, Turkey or Vendor Bingo on Nov. 13 at John Evans Middle School in Potosi, Bowling/Euchre Tournament on Jan. 23 at Heritage Lanes in Potosi.

The foundation was started in October by Jason and Heather Merseal of Potosi in memory of their daughter, Charli Anna, who died July 28, 2008. She had spent all five months of her life in the hospital.

Her parents started the non-profit organization to help other parents of children who have long-term hospital stays, especially heart patients.

Anyone who has a child who is enduring a long-term hospital stay may apply for financial help from the Charli Anna Foundation. The application is on the Web site at http://www.charliannafoundation.org