Before the annual Save An Eye game began, Nevaeh Austin's day was made. 
She played the national anthem and couldn't have been more excited.
"Very, very excited," said the young woman with visual impairments. 
Ken Brasington says stories like Nevaeh's are the reason for the game, a chance to help people with visual impairments by raising money for the Sight Center of Northwest PA.
"You hear a lot of the stories, and sometimes you need tissues and you need to wipe down your goosebumps," said the longtime coach and member of the Erie Lions Club, which puts on the game. "That's the kind of emotion that this type of game brings out when we as an Erie community help out those who are in need."
People like Nevaeh, who understands just how important the game is.
"Pretty important to help people," she said. 
A couple miles west, Dollinger Field hosted a charity football game of its own.
The Rivalz To End Alz flag football game capped a year-long fundraising effort for the Alzheimer's Association. 
"It feels great to be able to give that money to people who are in need," said Captain Nicole Tupek.
She's played in all six years of the game.
She began for the football but has stayed to support a cause she's learned to love. 
"We have some really great women who come out and support this cause and support each other," she said. "We keep growing and adding more faces, so it is definitely the team that keeps us together and keeps us going. "
Just like the Save an Eye game, the money raised in the Rivalz game stays here.
Two events, changing lives across our region. 
"it supports the families here in the community that need the support through support groups or education programs, so we are doing a lot right here in our community to support those who live with the disease and their caregivers," said Nathaniel Sofranko of the Alzheimer's Association.
Through the game and other fundraisers, the two teams raised nearly $50,000 for the Alzheimer's Association.