Eight co-ed softball teams are swinging their bats in a double elimination tournament the weekend of June 1213 to raise funds to enable Mac Pac to continue their program of providing for others in Moore County.

This group of local young women has been making a difference in the lives of the people they touch for the last six years.

Calling themselves the Mac Pac, an acronym for Moore Advocates for Compassion, the 'pack' reaches out to the community at large by using their vigor, creativity and resources to provide all types of assistance.

The Mac Pac softball tournament, now in its second year, will be played at the Carthage Elementary School on Friday, June 12, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m .and on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A home-run derby and a base hitting competition are set to be held during the Friday night events.

The rules for the tournament require each team to have at least three female players, and permits them to hit anywhere in the batting line-up.

Jennifer Bosworth Tyner, the Mac Pac's vice-president, and an enthusiastic softball player, has been drumming up support for the tournament.

Among the early sponsors of the teams she recently announced were: Aging Outreach Services, Aberdeen Prescription Shoppe, Hayes Hauling, Fritz Plumbing, Caddell Plumbing, Futrell Gutters and Monteith Construction.

She says all of the sponsors will be recognized by a special banner listing their names, and those donating funds or door prizes will also be honored.

Among the projects Mac Pac has helped that will benefit from the proceeds of the Softball Tournament, is Pennies from Heaven, a small nonprofit charitable organization that provides financial assistance to families faced with a sudden medical emergency.

Although the family may have health insurance, Pennies from Heaven makes available funds for the extra expenses that a family may incur while caring for a loved one.

Another longtime beneficiary of Mac Pac's concern is Animal Advocates, to which they donate pet food and supplies.

The Mac Pac group also started the North Carolina chapter of Hugs Across America, a national organization whose purpose is to comfort children in crisis through the hugs of teddy bears.

They regularly send care packages to the troops overseas, and have collected Coats for Kids.

A new program in which the Mac Pac group is participating is called the Honor Flight. Sponsored by Southwest Airlines and the USO, World War II veterans are flown to Washington, D.C. to view their Memorial and to interact with other veterans.

A feature of the return flight is a simulated "Mail Call," and volunteers are being sought to write letters to the veterans to be included in that mail call, thanking them for their service. Although there is no fundraising aspect to the program, the women of Mac Pac are more than glad to have a chance to express their appreciation to the World War II veterans by writing several letters each.

The small group of Mac Pac women also look after one another.

Jennifer Tyner recalls last year when the husband of one of their members was laid off and the couple was having a really tough time financially.

"We paid their utility bill. We have also been a support system for one of our members who was diagnosed with cancer, and we consider ourselves an extended family.

"All of the Mac Pac-ers issue a wholehearted invitation to come on out and join us on the weekend of the 12th and the 13th. We'll have a concession stand with hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks, drinks and more -- make it a real family day and watch the fun. It's all for several great causes!"

For more information on Mac Pac, how to join the group, or for details on the Softball Tournament, call Jennifer Tyner at 910-639-9964.

Contact Pinehurst freelance writer Mary Elle Hunter at mhunter104@yahoo.com.