MBJH students to support MS Society with kickball tourney

Mountain Brook Junior High students will “kick” multiple sclerosis at their 4th Annual Kick MS Tournament, a fundraiser to benefit the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National MS Society. 

This year’s kickball tournament will take place Sunday, Aug. 16 at Mountain Brook High School from 1:30-7 p.m. 

The tradition began in 2013 after a dugout discussion led four friends to discover two of their teammates’ mothers were suffering from multiple sclerosis, a debilitating disease of the central nervous system. 

“It’s quite amazing to see what these students have accomplished just in the short time this tournament has taken place. They started about two years ago with this idea, and it’s just continued to grow every year since,” said Andrew Bell, chapter president of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Alabama-Mississippi Chapter. 

Bell said the tournament raised more than $11,000 the first year with 98 participants. Last year, the fundraiser expanded to two dates to accommodate the 256 participants and raised more than $40,000.  

Mountain Brook resident Lori Smith said she is touched by the work her children and their friends are doing to end this disease. 

“I can’t tell you how much it warms my heart,” Smith said. “It’s truly a blessing and I just can’t thank these kids enough for all that they’ve done for us that live with MS. We are so grateful for the funds they’ve raised and for just helping to raise awareness within our community.” 

-Submitted by Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National MS Society