Charity Butler along with more than 100 area softball players ages 8 thru 14 put their best "cleat" forward Saturday, January 26 at a local champ camp designed to raise money for the Waterfront Rescue Mission Women's Program.

As founder and lead instructor of the Champ Camp, Butler has been able to give back to the community that she loves so much. "Each year, we have had the clinic over the past four years, we have donated all of the funds to a local charity," Butler said. "This year I had gotten to know some of the ladies and the director from the Waterfront Rescue Mission Women's Shelter through my church. God really touched my heart that this was the group that would benefit from the clinic this year. I just want more people to know about the program for women at the Waterfront Rescue Mission and what a blessing it is. We wanted to do all that we could to help the ladies with their needs."

The camp was held at the Pensacola Pelicans Training Academy and featured a batting clinic and instruction from Butler and other area players. Butler, a local celebrity, hosted the clinic along with some of her friends from the softball community. Butler is no stranger to softball. A star student and athlete at Tate High School, Butler went on to become Student Athlete of the Year at the University of Southern Mississippi where she was an outstanding second baseman. Also a member of the Michigan Ice, a professional team in the National Fast-Pitch League, Butler says she is hanging up her cleats to concentrate on her real estate business and upcoming marriage, but will continue the clinic to help others.

Funds raised from the clinic will go a long way toward helping the Waterfront Rescue Mission meet the needs of their clients in the Women's Program. If you would like to sponsor a benefit or want help in creating opportunities to be a blessing to these women, contact Natalie Smith at 850-438-4027.