Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
~ 1 Peter 4:10
The Miracle League Baseball program is a specially designed program for children with special needs and developmental disabilities which allows children ages 4 years old and up to play America's favorite pastime. In 2009 the Rotary Club of Springdale decided to bring The Miracle League to Northwest Arkansas. In the fall of 2010 two specialty fields were completed, just in time to enjoy a fun season of baseball.
Thanks the coordinating efforts of our PowerWALK Events Team, many women (and family members) of PowerWALK were able to serve as "buddies" to the children of our local Miracle League on Saturday, May 14th.
In the words of one of our very own WALKers...
"Wow! What encouragement we received from volunteering our time for the Miracle League, an added benefit because we were actually there to serve others. On that Saturday morning, 30 of us gathered in the COLD and provided buddy support for special needs kids to play softball. Not all the children showed up for the first game because of the cold so the kids got extra attention with some of them having 2 buddies a piece. We had 3 games lasting an hour each and at the end of each game all the players and their buddies lined up on the third base line and sang Take Me Out To The Ball Game. We helped kids bat, pushed wheelchairs, provided safety nets for kids with walkers and crutches. Some just needed simple instruction as to how to process what to do next. Some of the kids with autism just needed someone to bounce them on a large gym ball until it was their turn to bat or be in the field etc. All the kids bat, all the kids get on base, all the kids cross home plate. The biggest job of a buddy is that of cheerleader!"
This was such an incredible service project and touched the lives of many of our volunteers as well as the children and their families. We later received feedback that our group was one of the most enthusiastic group of volunteers they have had yet!
We will have a chance to serve as buddies for the Miracle League again in the future, so if you missed out on this opportunity, hopefully you can join the fun next time! Many, many thanks to all who participated in this event and made it such a huge success! To God be the glory!
In Him,
AJ
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