Laser tag tournament raises $450 for troop benefit Operation Gratitude

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A war was on Wednesday night, but this one was held to benefit real warriors.

Finch Fieldhouse hosted a laser tag tournament put on by Clarkston junior Kaity Jerolamon and four other students from RPL 430: Planning Recreation Programs and Events class.

“We have been working so hard on this event since the first week of the semester,” Jerolamon said. “All proceeds from our event will be donated to Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that sends care packages overseas to troops.”

About 45 people attended, raising in total about $450. Jerolamon called the event “a big success.”

The winning team received a room for four at the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth, including free breakfast and four mini-golf passes. They also received Shoot For Our Troops T-shirts.

Wixom freshman Paul Jarosz said he couldn’t help but check out the sci-fi competition.

“A friend mentioned this to me, and I love laser tag so I just had to come,” he said.

A raffle was also held with prizes such as a pair of Pistons tickets, a hockey puck signed by Detroit Red Wings player Brad Stuart, Celebration Cinema and Fred Flare gift cards, passes to the Henry Ford Museum and coupons for Fazoli’s and Dairy Queen.

Jerolamon was pleased to see her semester of hard work pay off for a charitable cause.

“My group members and I were so excited for the event,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working so hard on for the past few months. It was great to see everything come together tonight.”

Northville freshman Jeff Popovich, on the other hand, came to conquer.

“I came because of two words, laser tag,” Popovich said. “I had so much fun here.”