Number of Participants: 20
Hours Donated: 8
Value of Time Served: $1,352
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Baseball
Date: November 24, 2013
Location:
Port Jefferson
New York 11777, United States
About:
High school varsity baseball coach Jesse Rosen, junior varsity girls volleyball coach Dinarae Camarda and 20 of their student-athletes participated in a local Miracle League baseball game on Oct. 13. The students volunteered their time as BUDDY helpers to the athletes, which stands for “Because Unbelievable Dedication Deserves YOU.” The volunteers’ jobs included protecting their assigned players from balls and assisting them in batting and running the bases.
The Miracle League of Long Island’s mission, to establish and sustain baseball programs for people of all ages with disabilities, is founded on their strong belief that “everyone deserves a chance to play baseball.” The League aims to help players develop social skills and increase self-esteem while simultaneously promoting community support and sponsorship for the league.
“After volunteering for the past two years, many students showed an earnest desire to make this an annual trip” said Camarda. “This was an extremely positive experience and we look forward to a continued involvement with this extraordinary program.”
“The League is a great thing because it gives children with special needs a chance to play in an accepting and nonjudgmental environment” stated Therese Blanton, a Miracle League board member and mother of League player Luke Blanton. “Not only is this an important outlet for the players, but it also gives the BUDDY volunteers a chance to see the struggles of kids with disabilities on a moment-by-moment basis. They come away more tolerant, accepting and aware of the fact that these are kids just like them.”