Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Four time first team all-stater Jalen Adams of Fort Dodge will be among the guest hurlers at the Friendship Haven dunk tank on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Jalen Adams faced the toughest hitters the state of Iowa had to offer during her days as a Fort Dodge Dodger.

On Thursday, Adams will be zoning in on a different target with a much bigger cause in mind.

Adams is scheduled to be one of the guest “pitchers” at Friendship Haven’s dunk tank, which is included as a prelude to their annual “Hilltop Fest” celebration during spirit week at the campus located on the west side of Fort Dodge. Dodger teammates Haley and Ashlyn Wills are also taking turns as local celebrity hurlers, with the targets being Friendship Haven president/CEO Julie Thorson, social services coordinator Sophia Heesch and inventory control specialist Torri Werner.

The event is open to the public. The dunk tank hours are from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“I love going out and talking to people or being a part of (events in) this community,” said Adams, who is leaving for the University of Iowa next week. “For everything Fort Dodge has done for me, something like this is the least I can do. I know a lot of people (at Friendship Haven) are big Dodger softball supporters, so I’m sure I’ll see a lot of familiar faces.

“Giving back in any way I can means a lot to me personally.”

The admission for a person to toss three balls at the target is $1. If someone wants Adams to throw instead, that price increases to $5.

All proceeds go to Friendship Haven’s Good Samaritan fund.

“We’ve had special activities for our residents and employees all week,” Thorson said. “When we got to (organizing for) the Thursday (events) and the dunk tank, (FH neighborhood coordinator) Erica (Schadegg) came up with the idea of bringing Jalen out, so she asked her. Jalen didn’t hesitate in saying yes.

“This is just a fun way for our people to connect even more with a program they already support strongly throughout the year. We have so many loyal Dodger softball fans out here.”

Thorson knows her odds of staying out the water aren’t great, given the arsenal of special guests.

“Oh, I’m ready. I know what’s coming,” Thorson laughed. “The residents are excited. The employees are excited. It’s for a good cause. We’d love to see the public come out and enjoy the festivities, then come back on Friday for Hilltop Fest.”

Adams, a four-time first team all-stater and future Iowa Hawkeye team member who helped lead Fort Dodge to three consecutive state championship appearances and a title in 2021, understands the value of being more than just an elite softball player now more than ever before.

“When you get to high school, you start to notice how many younger kids look up to you,” Adams said. “Seeing little girls wanting to be like us, knowing we were in their shoes not long before that. Then you’re a senior and it’s the ‘last’ of everything, and you stop to think about how great it’s been to wear (Dodger colors) with pride. You go from looking up to role models to being a role model, and you notice how many people are paying attention to what you do.

“The support has been amazing. We’re very lucky here. When you’re in the season, you’re kind of zoned in on (competing). This is just an opportunity to reach out and thank people who have been cheering us on all along.”

Hilltop Fest debuted in 2019, but it was on pause for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets on Friday are $15 a person or $25 per couple. Festivities begin at 6 p.m.

Food on Friday will be provided by Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub. The Punching Pandas, a six-member Iowa band that covers a wide range of rock and pop artists, will be the featured entertainment.

Friendship Haven is located at 420 Kenyon Road in Fort Dodge.