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Once again the community of West Point is coming together for one of its own. Maurice Houston, West Point Recreation and other locals are putting on a kickball tournament for Hadilee Arnold. 

Arnold was one of the Troup High students in a car accident earlier this year. She has made progress and is currently in a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, working to come home to West Point soon. With a long hospital stay and outfitting a home for accessibility, the community has hosted a couple of fundraisers to help with the Troup alum’s expenses. 

Houston, the organizer of the event, hopes to fill all of the rec fields on Oct. 12. More details on times will be posted on the West Point Rec and Healing for Hadilee Facebook page when finalized. 

The event will likely have an adult league (15 and older) and a youth league (8-14). Houston said he has already had people reach out to register teams. He is hoping to keep team sizes between 8-12. Registration is $200 per team and Houston aims to have the sign-up form released later this week. 

There will also be vendors there for all ages. Houston’s business, Smokin Mo’s Barbecue LLC, will be selling pulled pork and chicken sandwiches. Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Bloom Tea will also be selling food and drinks. Houston reiterated that all the proceeds will go to the Arnold family. 

“[Hadilee] would want this to be a big, huge, fun event,” Houston said. “There’s so many people that are behind her, so we were like, ‘Hey, let’s do a kickball tournament, something different, something fun for everybody.’ And, [that way] there are a lot more people that can be involved.”

Like most West Point residents Houston knows the Arnolds. His niece was Hadilee’s neighbor, and she helped in the planning of the event. Regardless of proximity, it seems the entire community has been coming out to support Arnold. Houston has high hopes for a good turnout. 

“It’ll be held at the Rec Center in West Point, which is very awesome…when we mentioned that it was for Hadilee, they were just all smiles about it,” Houston said. 

The organizers are asking for more people to umpire the tournament. They need at least two per field, eight in total. Houston said no experience is required, the rules are simple. 

“100% of the proceeds go to Hadilee and making her house more comfortable for her,” Houston said. “Come out and support, I think this is going to be a huge event for the community, and just to let Hadley and her family know that, the community is backing her.”