To our Family Friendzy donors, team captains, fundraisers, teammates, sponsors, auction bidders, and volunteers—THANK YOU!

Because of your generosity, hard work, and belief in our mission, the Family Friendzy raised more than $218,000 for widowed families in 2027 (assuming all company matches are received)!

This incredible achievement was made possible by 435 donors, 17 sponsors, 18 team captains, 50 fundraisers, and more than 200 volunteers who gave their time, talents, and resources to make this event a success. Every donation, every invitation, every volunteer hour, and every conversation helped move our mission forward.

While the fundraising was extraordinary, the most unforgettable moment came during the final 15 minutes of the event.

With all players still on the field, anyone whose team had been eliminated had one final opportunity: join one of the remaining Final Four teams and go home a champion.

What followed felt less like a fundraiser and more like a WWE main event.

Each captain spoke proudly at the mic with their team in a corner of the gym, rallying their team and making their case to the crowd. The reigning three-time champions, Siege of Supporters, found themselves with a target on their backs. Conklin's Crew, last year's "Most Athletic Team," came determined to end the dynasty. Team Chicago, traveling from Illinois for the fourth consecutive year and arriving with more than $21,000 raised, was ready for another shot at the title.

Then came the wildcard.

In dramatic fashion, Saddlebrook Homes grabbed the microphone and electrified the room by announcing an additional $10,000 donation to our Heroes Hope stipend if 30 people would immediately join their team.

People bolted across the gym, and the energy reached a fever pitch.

Moments later, Siege of Supporters offered a $3,000 match to help WPRP reach its fundraising goal. Saddlebrook responded with an offer of their own—and a moral dilemma: They would provide the match, but only if Siege of Supporters would relinquish their title and join Team Saddlebrook for the greater good.

The gym fell silent.

After a brief moment of consideration, the reigning champions chose generosity over glory.

The crowd erupted as the two powerhouses united.

Not to be outdone, Conklin's Crew revealed they had been building alliances of their own. Team Chicago answered the call, and just like that, the stage was set: The championship relay would be a showdown between Conklin's Crew and Team Chicago versus Saddlebrook Homes and Siege of Supporters, with hundreds of players and spectators cheering on the side they had chosen.

The race was neck-and-neck through nearly every obstacle.

Then Saddlebrook appeared to pull away. They reached the final soccer challenge needing only five goals to secure victory. Meanwhile, Conklin's Crew was still two stations behind. The championship seemed all but decided.

Then came the comeback.

A group of high school students from Conklin's Crew exploded through the final two stations and charged onto the soccer station while Saddlebrook had only 3 left to make. One by one, they rapid-fired shots into the net.

One.

Two

Three.

Four.

Then, with Saddlebrook's fifth ball just about to roll into their net, Conklin's Crew's final shot exploded into the back of their net.

The gym erupted!

Conklin's Crew and Team Chicago with all their new teammates completed an improbable comeback and claimed the Family Friendzy Championship.