We frequently are asked about the Tailgaters and how they pertain to the T.H.A.N.K.S. organization. Many people in the Ida area are familiar with the Tailgaters however those outside the Ida area are in need of some education about this crazy bunch of "softball players".

It all started back in the winter of '92 when a close-knit group of friends and cousins were shooting archery league together. We had been doing this for a couple of years and had a great time doing so. Most of us grew up together and just generally enjoyed being around each other. We had heard that a new softball league was forming in Ida and it didn't take much effort to convince everyone to join. We filled the remaining roster with some more relatives and even added some experienced personnel (just a polite way of calling these individuals "over-the-hill"). Well, we gave it one heck of an effort our 1st year as we ended the season 0-16. Despite our horrid record, it didn't take us long to gain the respect of all the other teams, league officials, and umpires. You could usually find most everyone coming over to our tailgate party to enjoy a cold beer or fill up on some good food being cooked on the grill.

No matter how bad the score was at the end of the game, we always looked forward to the tailgate party afterward. It ultimately became the reason why we named ourselves the "Tailgaters". Cold beer and good food became our trademark until the introduction of our now famous shirts in '97. These shirts became the envy of every player in the league. We replaced our numbers on the back of the shirts with blurry lettering that read the following..."We're a serious drinking team with a softball problem".We could have retired from the profits of these shirts had we sold them to everyone who wanted one.

In the winter of '98 one of our players informed us of his 2-year old cousin Jamie Davis who was battling cancer. They were looking for ways to raise money to help the family. It took us only 45 days to organize and sponsor a spring softball tournament that was more successful then we could have ever imagined. All the Tailgaters pitched in and helped with this weekend event. Unfortunately, Jamie lost her battle with cancer shortly after our tournament. We didn't know it then, but that event was the start of what eventually became T.H.A.N.K.S. Inc.

You can still find some of the original Tailgaters playing ball every Wednesday night in Ida, Mi. Just look for the trademark shirts, and the smell of some great cooking. Come on up and say hi, and experience the tradition for yourself. You'll also find them bartending at the Ida Fireman's Homecoming Festival Labor Day weekend or working at any T.H.A.N.K.S. Inc. sponsored event. As far as the shirts are concerned, well...we don't even give these out to the softball team anymore. Simply put...you have to earn them. They are now given out to volunteers of the organization for recognition of their dedication and hard work to the organization.

Because we are such a small organization, we currently are only able to assist 1 or 2 families a year depending on the amount of aid they need. When choosing a family, we try to pick "the-worse-case-scenarios" (those who need immediate help the worse.) Our only requirement when choosing a family is that they must live in Monroe County or within close proximity.

If you know a family who may need help or if you'd like more information concerning our organization, please call or e-mail us at the numbers listed on our website.