We are always looking for volunteers for our Miracle League. We need people to be buddies, to coach and people just to come out and join in on the fun with us. Any church groups or people who are looking for a community project to be involved in, you will not find a better one than this. Miracle League Baseball begins April 4, and we really need volunteers. For those who are interested in helping out, give me a call at 256-739-9931.”Shelby Williams, Heritage Park manager
CULLMAN – On Wednesday evening, March 23, the Easter Bunny stopped by the Field of Miracles and scattered a thousand colorful Easter eggs throughout the baseball field. The eggs were filled with all kinds of goodies for members of the Cullman Miracle League, Cullman’s special needs league, to find. More than 70 members of the group showed up with their Easter baskets in hand, ready to grab as many eggs as they could. The event was part of the Therapeutic Recreation Program through Cullman City Parks and Recreation.
“There are 100 gold eggs on the field, each with special prizes inside them,” said Shelby Williams, Heritage Park manager. “The gold eggs have actual gifts in them; some of them have rings, some have money and some have other neat things like coupons to our concession stand. After all the eggs are picked up, we award prizes for things like who found the most eggs, who got the most gold eggs and that kind of stuff.”
After the hunt, guests enjoyed hot dogs, drinks and a little Easter party.
“It’s always fun,” said Williams. “This is one of their favorite activities; they really look forward to it.”
Wednesday night’s Easter Egg Hunt was a blast! Thankfully it was just the beginning of many great activities for the Therapeutic Recreation Program this year. Here are some other events that are coming up:
- Every Monday night is FREE swim from 6-8 p.m. at the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center’s indoor pool.
- Walk for Autism / April 2 / Heritage Park
- Miracle League Baseball begins April 4; games will be on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday each week.
- Barn Party / April 30 / HOPE Facility
- No Limits Dance Class / July & August / Civic Center
- Swim Night & Cook Out / August 2 / 6 p.m. / Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center
- Pizza & Bingo Night / Sep. 8 / 5:30 p.m. / Civic Center
“We are always looking for volunteers for our Miracle League,” Williams said. “We need people to be buddies, to coach and people just to come out and join in on the fun with us. Any church groups or people who are looking for a community project to be involved in, you will not find a better one than this. Miracle League Baseball begins April 4, and we really need volunteers. For those who are interested in helping out, give me a call at 256-739-9931.”
For more information about the Therapeutic Recreation Program or the Miracle League, contact Kelly Pulliam at 256-734-9157 or kpulliam@cullmanrecreation.org.
There is something about playing the game that lights up a person’s eyes. But for children and adults facing serious physical and mental disabilities that opportunity can often be difficult to achieve. Baseball diamonds weren’t exactly designed with wheelchairs and crutches in mind.
The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Since the main barriers for these adults arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional leagues, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries.
But it’s more than playing a game. The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other athletes. To help the athletes, the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. The result is a bond that cannot be described. The Miracle League serves children and adults who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded, whether intentionally or not, from conventional Baseball leagues.
Visit http://www.themiracleleague.net/ for more information.
