President's Message 4/12
Posted by Ron Searfoss
on Apr 12, 2016
Past District Governor BJ Metz came to talk to us about a very special baseball league. It was not about how a Yankee loving young boy got stuck on a little league team named the Red Sox.
Many of us grew up in an age when ‘special needs’ children were not really tolerated. Most can recall a child who seemed to always be inside and not allowed to participate in all the cool things the rest of us did. Fortunately that has changed. Special needs yes, but they are still just kids. Different sizes, abilities, even ages but kids. Kids like baseball and anyone can play!
BJ told us all about a project to build a ‘field of dreams.’ With the help of many committed people and the support of the Easton Rotary Club, construction of Easton Rotary Field took a few years. The Miracle League of Northampton County was born with opening day in September 2012. Location is in the Charles Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township, right off Route 22 with all the other athletic fields for the community!
That first year there were 65 “special” players. Now there are over 300!
To help with these players, a buddy system was established. Initially family and friends, this has evolved so that many youth teams come to each game to help and support the “special kids!” The “buddies teams” have already more than filled available games for the coming season. A wonderful synergistic benefit of this successful program is how all these young people are experiencing the positive benefits of volunteering and helping others. Some may be future Rotarians, but their communities and future families will benefit greatly from this process!
Please copy this link to your browser for a brief video of Opening Day Celebrations in 2012. http://miracleleagueofnc.org/stories/videos Enjoy!
This Week’s Meeting
Please join us this Thursday, April 14th when our speaker will be our own Bernie Gardiner. Bernie will give what I am certain will prove to be a very interesting Classification Talk. See you there.
If you would like to learn more about either Bethlehem Morning Star or Rotary International, please contact Ron Searfoss at rsearfos@ptd.net or 610-504-1460.
Be a gift to your world!
President Ron