Bethesda
Kiwanis Celebrates 64 Years of Service, "The Miracle League" Baseball Field Announced
by Past Governor Bob Cressy and PLG Jim Leder,
Kiwanis Club of Bethesda
The
Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland, held
its 64th Annual Charter Night on Friday,
February 28th at Tagara Restaurant in Bethesda,
its regular Thursday meeting place. The
feature of the evening was the formal announcement
and presentation our club's association
with "The Miracle League" Baseball program for handicapped children. But, more on that in a moment. (Right,
attending the 64th Annual Charter Night
of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda is Division
17 PLG Ben Schlesinger, Jane Aylor and
Joyce Schlesinger, wife of Ben. They all
look lovely, even Ben.)
The
evening began with President Jeanne Smith
offering the Pledge of Allegiance, then
a patriotic song and the Invocation was
done. Nice tradition, I think. Our guests
were welcomed, with interclubs and visitors
from many Divisions 17 and One clubs, plus
Immediate Past Governor Art Riley and Vickie
from the Westminster Club. (Right, Immediate
Past Governor Art Riley and First Lady
Vickie
grace us with their presence form Division
9 and the Westminster Club as Division
17 did for their Charter Night. Interclubbing
is FUN and entertaining, isn't it?) They
had a "Time and Talent Auction" where donors offered gifts, get-a-ways, play tickets and most interesting their
'time and talent'. Offers were made for
a donor to prepare a home cooked meal for
the winners, six people for dinner event
at a restaurant, an escorted walking and
narration tour for two on the C&O canal followed by an elegant country lunch at a canal side restaurant. Very
creative and the funds were donated to
the Bethesda Kiwanis Foundation!
"The Miracle League" of Montgomery County, MD
The
highlight of the evening was the announcement
of the Bethesda Club's leadership in creating
a Miracle League baseball diamond for handicapped
children. Past Lieutenant Governor Jim
Leder gave a presentation with Grace Fielder
of G.E. (Right, Part Two: Grace Fielder,
who is providing valuable consulting
work
pro-bono work, PLG Jim Leder and PP
Richard
Ruprecht, legal counsel and Key Club
Advisor. Many others are involved and
many more will be.) Fielder & Associates, Chartered, on the program that is now international and began in
Georgia. He spoke of "getting hooked on the idea at the Kiwanis International Convention in Montreal
four years ago". (See, going to the ICON is inspirational.)
Jim
Leder began exploring the idea with the
club and the Bethesda Foundation and
found a
very receptive audience. "Bethesda Kiwanis has embarked on a project originally presented by Kiwanis International
at the 2006 Convention in Montreal", says Jim. "We have been negotiating with Montgomery County to build a baseball field for
handicapped children." (Right, The Miracle League Team in two parts ... ah, photos. Past Presidents
Jim Aylor, Debbie VanHorn, and Jeanne Smith,
who is also our current president. Note
the fashionable 'Miracle League' shirts.
It pays to advertise.)
"Our
official title is "The Miracle League of Montgomery County, MD". (Right, "The Miracle League" field taken from their web site with permission.
It is rubberized for safety and destined
for FUN!) The concept started in Conyers,
GA and has grown to 215 fields either built
or in process of being established." Jim said our mission statement is to:
- Provide opportunities for Children with Disabilities to play Miracle League baseball regardless of their disabilities.
- Promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle League.
- Promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.
- Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play.
Jim added, "We realize that we cannot change or cure the medical issues life has dealt disabled children. We can provide them with an opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that come with playing our national pastime ... baseball."
The field is rubberized and the bases are even with the surface. The entire field is flat which enables the players to move about the bases on crutches, in a wheelchair or walkers without interference. Often 'buddies' will help the players navigate the field.
The only area field at this time is in Richmond, VA. We are attempting to be the first in Maryland. This project is estimated to cost $750,000 or more, however most of the fields across the country cost less because of companies, corporations and individuals providing substantial pro-bono support. There is a tentative site selected however it still can't be announced pending final Montgomery County approval, but it should be soon.
We would appreciate hearing from anyone who would like to help with this project. There are over 17,000 children that we could help and support in Montgomery County alone. We will need every manner of support including charitable cash contributions. We would especially like to hear from parents with handicapped children who may want to volunteer to serve on the operating board. We encourage all people to become involved in this most worthy project.
You can contact Jim at a special email address: mimc09@comcast.net . A web site will be available soon.
Right, Past Governor John Tyner of the Rockville Club introduces a former Rockville
Kiwanian and now a new member of the Bethesda
Club, Ken King. Welcome Ken!
Bethesda's Charter Night was a wonderful social event. The commitment to such a very significant and meaningful Kiwanis mission of "changing our community one child and one community at a time" will take another major step forward. The club welcomes your interest and help also at www.bethesdakiwanis.com.