The Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility (SSSR) on Apr. 14 held their second annual Best Buds Softball Game. The game was a match-up between faculty and staff and the Best Buds and their “Buddies” with the Best Buds winning 5 to 3.

The game was a friendly event held on Chapel Field to raise money for The Arc of Northern Bristol County, an organization devoted to supporting children with intellectual disabilities. The game started off with President Crutcher throwing out the first pitch. Accompanying the crowd on the sidelines was the Wheaton Lyon mascot and Clumsy the Clown, busy tying balloon animals and painting faces. SSSR also ran a barbeque and sold s’mores.

“It was a really fun event” said Catey Oakley ’13. “I didn’t get a chance to get out and see it last year but it was a lot of fun being a spectator this year.”

This event was held as part of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, focused on eliminating the use of the R-word. Shirts were being sold at the event with the slogan “Respect is the New ‘R’ Word” to help raise money. The event was a success, raising a total of $367, which will go to the Arc to help with monthly events and transportation costs.

Patti Rezendes of SSSR was very happy with how the game turned out. “I think what I enjoy most about coordinating these events is [that] when people start they are very stand-offish. But when the Buds start to play they all have a big smile on.”

Events like these highlight the attitudes of the Wheaton community. Besides raising money for a good cause, the event was fun and centrally located, drawing in spectators that otherwise might not have turned out. The entire community was able to get involved, with faculty, President Crutcher and even Public Safety active in promoting the cause.

An upcoming event for SSSR is the Give-and-Go Yard Sale happening on May 23, and with the help of Wheaton students they hope to raise more money for community partners like The Arc and Norton High School. SSSR continues to be a great collection of students and staff that continue their support for the surrounding community.