PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Phillies have just under 100 games left in their regular season, and one fan along with her fellow Phandemic Krew members are nearly halfway to achieving a fundraising goal that honors her late mother.
“I know she’s happy,” says Beth Overmier of Perkasie, “I know she’s looking down and proud of what we’re doing for her in her memory.”
Overmier’s mother, Bette, was a longtime Phillies fan who passed away last fall shortly after their 2023 postseason run concluded. As KYW’s John McDevitt reported before the season, Overmier and her son decided to honor Bette by raising money for a cause near and dear to her heart. Bette loved the Phillies and animals, so the Phandemic Krew and Overmier started Bette’s Triples – A Cause for Paws. Every time the Phillies hit a triple this season, the Krew pledges a $100 donation to the PSPCA.
The fan group, which has been around since 2020 — with Overmier joining in 2022 — wants to raise $10,000. With more than half a season to go, they’re at just over $4,800 as of Friday afternoon. The Phillies had 13 triples so far this season heading into the London Series.
Overmier says her mother, Bette, was a loud fan who did a lot of cheering.
During last postseason, Bette would make sure her daughter was either at the game or had it on. She would text Overmier to confirm the time of a game so she, herself, didn’t miss it. And she would wear her Phanatic hat. Overmier says her parents became Phillies fans instantly after moving to Pennsylvania in the 1970s and raised Overmier as a Phillies fan, which she’s been for about 50 years.
And now, she’s sharing that fandom with her kids as well. In fact, Overmier, her sons and other members of the Krew are across the pond this weekend cheering on the Phillies in their London Series against the Mets.
To hear more about Overmier’s fandom and A Cause for Paws, check out the latest edition of KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week: