Batter Up!

Local Employee Keeps Brother's Name Alive in Community

Longtime Dauphin Co-op employee, Gaylene Bertrand lost her brother, Richard Bogoslowski to cancer, April 17, 2011.

Richard was very active in the community--sharing his playing and coaching skills in Dauphin and the surrounding area. He coached baseball and badminton for more than 20 years and was the president of the Dauphin Co-ed Slo-pitch League.

Richard was an avid participant in the MS Bike Tour--Riding Mountain Challenge--finishing early every time!. Richard left his bike to Gaylene and Danny's son, Nicholas. Nicholas has carried on the legacy by participating each year in the MS Bike Tour with his late Uncle's bike raising money for the local MS Society.

After his death, many people approached Gaylene hoping to donate money towards something in Richard's memory to keep his name alive in the community. With the help of many donations, a baseball field was named in his honour at the Vermillion Sportsplex. This is a great honour to his family.

Many ball players suggested to have a memorial slo-pitch tournament in honour of Richard...and so it began...

This year marks the 6th Annual Richard Bogoslowski Memorial Slopitch Tournament. Every year there is a raffle table at the tournament filled with prizes graciously donated from local businesses that are happy to help in the fundraising efforts.

Over the years the annual tournament has raised money to donate:

• $1000 to the Dauphin Chemo Department
• $535 to the MS Society (Dauphin Chapter)
• $535 to the Children's Wish Foundation
• 2 Metal Picnic Tables (Vermillion Sportsplex)
• 2 - $250 Scholarships for two deserving DRCSS graduates with strong athletic attributes each year

Gaylene hopes to continue to honour Richard's memory by donating benches to Vermillion Park and the Sportsplex to further beautify the area.