Linda's Game 2008 - Matawan, NJ

This video is best viewed in "high quality" and full screen, .

Why we play Linda's Game....

When Linda Schoffel died from lung cancer in 2002, it was a shock. But it was no surprise.

Linda had smoked cigarettes for about 45 years. She and the rest of the civilized world knew the likely consequences: Heart disease, emphysema, lung cancer and othe diseases are virtually guaranteed.

We can know all the statistics about a disease intellectually, yet remain emotionally unprepared for the outcome. And so friends and family were shocked when Linda passed. Suddenly the world had much less energy. Laughter was scarcer. Our lives had a gaping void.

Our immediate family is small, but Linda still left behind a lot of loved ones: her husband and two grown children, her mother and two brothers, an aunt and uncle, nieces and nephews, several in-laws, cousins and plenty of friends. Her only two grandchildren (so far) were born shortly after she died.

In our grief, we got the idea to gather friends and family in Linda's honor. It turned into a big affair that matched my sister's outsized personality. But we didn't want to lose sight of the insidious addiction that took her. We wanted to benefit an organization that worked to prevent smoking.

Our annual gathering, seven years and counting, is focused around softball simply because many of Linda's people like to play the game. We also throw a picnic and mix in some antismoking education. We ask for a small donation and raide a few extra bucks with a raffle. It all adds up to about $4,000 a year for the American Lung Associations of New Jersey and Connecticut.

The show of support amazes us every year. We don't count heads, but an estimated 75 to 100 people attend the midsummer event. Surprisingly, some of our biggest supporters are people who have never met Linda and don't even attend. Many have some sort of unpleasant connection to the ravages of smoking.

In 2008, we've added more to the festivities with a live band, face painting, and a charicature artist. The Matawan Fire Department handles the BBQ duties. The Matawan Police Department played as the visitor's team against Linda's family and friends. We never fail to have a great time, and so far the weather has been excellent. For every Linda's Game, it feels like somebody up there is smiling on us.

LINDA...WE MISS YOU!
 Your loving family and friends.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Linda
• Schoffel
• softball
• game
• matawan
• american
• lung
• association
• cancer
• smoking
• cigarettes
• quit
• antismoking
• police
• fire

[wonkydude1]

Wow, it's good to see Gravelly Brook Park again after all these years! I used to live about a block away from here until 1992. Nothing has changed except for the playground.

Looks like everyone had a good time at a great cause.

[outsideartist]

when is the GAME this year?

I didnt even know this was on here,and looked for photos!

I am READY TO FACE PAINT AGAIN!

Linda

[700748]

im guessing gravely brooks? yay matawan!

[Filmerfilms]

Looks like a nice group of friends you have there.

[adamjamfan]

looks like you all had a blast! i want an invite next year:)

[CampImpala]

Pat - Your video tribute to Linda is amazing - great editing, music and photography. A masterpiece!

[isaacfirefox16]

yea! linda's family rules!!!!!!

marcus fox, lenny fox, Josh fox