October 19, 2009

A Worthy Cause


My weekend was spent with friends, Rick and Jennifer, who live in Gig Harbor. We planned to ride on Saturday but weather dictated a different activity – mainly staying inside. The northwest began showing its true colors by being void of color – gray – wet and stormy. But I had a wonderful time visiting with them and a great lunch at a famous Gig Harbor landmark, The Tides.

Jennifer told me about her son's friend from high school and another young man who are involved with two of my favorite things cycling and baseball. These two guys are participating in triathlons while cycling across the United States beginning in Seattle and ending in Florida. They are raising money and awareness for a program called I Love Baseball  http://dhtour.vibeglobe.com/ that benefits student ball players in the Dominican Republic.

Many young boys in the DR drop out of school to dedicate their life to baseball in hopes they will land a major league contract and this will lift them out of poverty. Less than one percent actually make it to the big leagues and then are left uneducated and more deeply entrenched in poverty. This organization brings in some of the best coaching talent in baseball while providing the boys with healthy meals and most importantly, formal education so they have something after their career is finished.

Baseball gets into the blood and psyche of a lot of young men - baseball paid for my former husband's college education and I watched as his dream of being a professional died and his struggle of how to continue having this passion remain in his life. So I can understand how a simple sport of a ball and a bat can be so compelling - enough so that giving up everything else to achieve the dream seems plausible. I think I'll make a donation in his name because I know he would really understand their dreams.

1 comment:

  1. you've come a long way baby..... your generous heart and spirit are always an inspiration.
    LOVE Walt's hair in the photo!

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