Celebrities help fight childhood obesity

By Stefanie Bainum
sbainum@abcnews4.com

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) Local celebrities helped fight childhood obesity Saturday at the Slim DownThe South' softball tournament. The event was sponsored by Louie's kids, a non- profit that raises money to treat childhood obesity.

Amid the real celebrities at Joe Riley Park, the real stars of the day were Louie's Kids.

"I've lost about 40 pounds now," said 14-year-old Katie Fender-Davis, a member of Louie's Kids.

Fender-Davis joinedtwo and a halfyears ago, back in middle school. She is now a freshman at Wando High School. Shesaid the non-profit that helps fight childhood obesity, has been life-changing.

"I remember I was kind of sad and depressed and now I'm this happy bubbly person," said Fender-Davis.

"Just my friends coming up to me telling me how good I look makes me so happy, and it makes me feel better about myself and I'm healthier. I exercise. It's awesome. I love it."

Fender-Davis said she was inspired by all the celebrities who came out to support the cause.

"Being one of those kids that was once obese you feel like you don't know where to turn to, so you turn to that food for comfort," said Miss South Carolina, Bree Boyce.

Boyce lost over 100 pounds and said she hopes her story inspires others.

"Everything is possible. If you set your mind to it you can do anything," said Boyce.

And that was the theme of the day, from the founder of Louie's Kids, to celebrity coachDarius Rucker.

"I hope the kids take away that anything is possible, if you believe in yourself and if you believe in something, you can make anything happen," said Louie's Kids founder, Louis Yuhasz.

"Anything's possible, I'm living proof that truly anything's possible," saidRucker. "I'm just like them. I'm a kid from Charleston who went out worked really hard and got really lucky."

Darius Rucker and Bill Murray were team captains for the day, and with Murray on the field, there was certainly room for humor.

"I had to play one job where I had to get out of shape and I got so out of shape that I couldn't work," Murray said.

And when asked about the game, Murray said:

"All I want from Darius is an apology. Win or lose."

Rucker's Team Piggly Wiggly took home the win, beating Murray's Team Wells Fargo, by a final score of 6 to 3.