University News

Foos For Families Event Set for March 7

February 9, 2021

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MACOMB, IL -- The Macomb Park District, the Center for Youth and Family Solutions (CYFS), and students in the Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) have announced plans for the sixth annual Foos for Families human foosball tournament. This family-friendly event will take place Sunday, March 7, with all proceeds benefiting CYFS.

This year's event is designed to be compliant with Covid-19 guidelines, to provide support for local families and to give students a hands-on learning opportunity.

The two-part event will feature teams of up to five people participating in an Amazing Race-style competition to earn shots on goal on an enlarged human foosball court. Each registered team starts the competition already having five shots on goal.

As teams solve clues, they will earn additional shots on goal. Clues will take them to local businesses and attractions, where they will receive additional clues. In addition, each team will start with two yellow cards they can use if they get stuck on a clue. Teams that don't use their yellow cards will be able to trade them for additional shots on goal.

The race to find clues will take place from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Then, each team will have a designated time to meet at Campus Recreation to take their shots on goal sometime between 3:30 - 6:30 pm. The team who successfully completes the most shots on goal will be the 2021 Foos for Families winner.

Masks will be required throughout the event, and social distancing will be required at clue stations and inside Campus Recreation. Teams will have assigned times for their shots on goal to facilitate safer interactions. In order to comply with Covid-19 guidelines, only 10 teams will be allowed to compete in the 2021 Foos for Families event.

To register teams, visit the Macomb Park District website at macombparkdistrict.com. The cost per team is $25.

Carrie Depoy, Youth, Family and Community outreach supervisor for CYFS, said the event raises funds and awareness about the needs of families in the community.

"Specifically, this event helps us raise funds for items like school supplies, winter coats, activity fees, haircuts, hygiene products, cleaning items, fuel cards to attend counseling and many other everyday needs," she said.

According to Depoy, this year's tournament is especially important given the impact Covid-19 has had on families in local communities.

"The goal is to provide a safe, fun activity that allows people to engage with others and to learn about our community while supporting families that may need extra help right now," she said. "This event will be a great way for families and groups of friends to have a fun, safe activity on a Sunday afternoon."

CYFS will receive all of the proceeds from the event. In addition to the proceeds from team registrations, there will be raffle taking place at CYFS between 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, March 7, which is open to the public. The raffle will feature gift certificates from local businesses.

According to Assistant Professor of RPTA Jeremy Robinett, representatives of each participating organization draw on their organizations' strengths and resources to contribute to the success of the event.

"For example, the Macomb Park District provides promotional materials, a registration site, and the equipment (staff at the Macomb Park District constructed the portable foosball courts), and because CYFS is a non-profit organization, the event has non-profit tax status," said Robinett. "WIU's Campus Recreation Center is providing a home for the event so we don't have to worry about the weather as much, and our students provide their labor and energy to infuse the event. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to apply the knowledge they were gaining in class to a practical, community-based activity."

Individuals or agencies interested in learning more about sponsorship can contact Depoy at (309) 833-1791 or by e-mail at cdeopy@cyfsolutions.org For questions about the Foos for Families event, contact Robinett at jl-robinett@wiu.edu or (309) 298-1967.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing