Community
Beach Soccer Tournament and Fun Day in aid of Nicole's Butterfly Kisses
Feb 5, 2010 - 6:02:01 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The Bears Football Club in conjunction with Nicole’s Butterfly Kisses will be hosting a Beach Soccer Tournament and Fun Day that will be held on February 6th and 7th at Goodman’s Bay. All proceeds will be used strictly for children with cancer. Our previous tournament raised in excess of $38,000 which we used to assist in defraying the medical costs of Hailey Davis, who was diagnosed with leukemia. 

The tournament will consist of youth teams, boys and girls playing in 11 &  under to 15 & under divisions on Saturday, and men’s and women’s divisions playing on Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday we will also have a concession stand for families to come out and enjoy the day. 

This fund was started in memory of Nicole Ranson who passed away from cancer in 2005, at the age of nineteen. Throughout her illness she always talked of helping others when she got well because so many people had helped her. We want to honor her dreams and fulfill her wishes. Our mission is to raise funds to help children with cancer in the Bahamas.  All proceeds from our fund raisers are donated to help children in need. Last year a portion of the money raised went to help a two year old girl with a brain tumor, named Kahlia Higgs, who lives in Harbour Island. After many surgeries Kahlia is doing well and celebrated her third birthday a short while ago.  

We started small and participation continues to grow each year. It is our dream that in years to come many more businesses and schools will buy tee shirts to be worn on her birthday, which is now considered “Nicole’s Butterfly Kisses” day. In 2007 around two dozen businesses took part in our first tee shirt day. In 2009 that number increased to over sixty businesses participating. Through our tee shirt days and our on-going endeavors we have been able to raise over $100,000 to help children with cancer. The tee shirts have a large green and yellow butterfly, (the design changes every year), and say “Live, Love, Laugh”. This was Nicole’s motto and was also her graduation quote in her yearbook. We hope to be able to help children live, love and laugh a little more through their illness The fund is named butterfly kisses to signify the feel of a kiss, like butterfly wings brushing your cheek, when no one appears to be there. Therefore Nicole will be giving butterfly kisses to all the children we are able to help.  

Again this year Dairy Queen has generously agreed to help in our fundraising efforts. As a result we have coupons available for sale that can be purchased and redeemed at any point in February. Businesses can also advance order blizzards for their staff and pick them up on February 5th and 6th if they wish. If you are a blizzard lover please buy coupons and help a child in need. There will also be a sand soccer tournament, held at Goodman’s Bay, on Saturday and Sunday to help with our fundraising efforts. A letter is attached that details how you may support us in this endeavor should you wish to do so. There will also be a full concession stand at this event for spectators enjoyment.  

As “Butterfly Kisses Day’ is February 7th, it falls on a Sunday this year. Therefore we are asking that corporations support our efforts by allowing their staff to wear the shirts on Friday, February 5th. Those open on Saturday, can wear theirs that day if they wish. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration and we hope that you can help keep Nicole’s memory alive and fulfill her wish to help others. 

Sincerely, Deborah Ranson/Mother  

Committee Members: Deborah Ranson, Kimberly Ranson, Michelle Ranson, Valerie Albury, Patrice Lleida, Bonnie Davis, Mitzi Thompson, Raquel Pinder