Play Ball! Remembering Their Son and Helping the Inn

Every August for the past five years, over 200 people from across Long Island, NY gather for the Luke M. Johnson Memorial Softball Tournament—a day of competition, camaraderie and helping St. Christopher’s Inn! It’s a fun day of community and friendship, but organizers, Luke and Shirley Johnson, say, “It was born out of our broken hearts. When we lost our son, Luke, we just needed someplace to put our grief, so the tournament was born.”

The Tournament has been a labor of love for the couple and their family and friends—love for their son, love for their neighbors and love for St. Christopher’s Inn. The day has grown into a real community affair. Luke organizes the teams, Shirley and her helpers make up raffle baskets, concessions are brought in, and a good time is had by all! It takes months of planning, but Luke and Shirley say it has been worth it to see some of their sadness turn into joy on and off the field. All the proceeds are given to St. Christopher’s Inn in their son Luke’s memory. They chose the Inn as the beneficiary of their charity because of the kindness they were shown years ago when they inquired about a placement for their son. Shirley says, “The Inn was nearing capacity, but they were able to find a bed. And, though Luke did not enter the program, we were touched by that kindness. Through the years we’ve learned so much about the services and care St. Christopher’s Inn provides. We’re very happy we’ve been able to help many men get back on their feet in this way.”

It is estimated that the Johnson’s generosity through the gifts from their tournaments have impacted close to 4,500 men.