Moore & Giles is proud to be a small part of a big change. We loved this heart-warming story from our representative, Beverly McAuley, and had to share!

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by Beverly McAuley

In my spare time I like to inspire others by helping them make a difference while having fun! I founded a non-profit, Project Change, several years ago to accomplish this goal and it has certainly taken on a life of its own! My most rewarding and recent project was the SHOWDOWN All-Star Baseball Game. This project was driven by a high school football team at Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, KS. The players have several “teammates” with special needs (yes, they have their own jerseys!). These guys are the BIGGEST fans of the team – they are on the field at every game and many players have grown up with these friends. The football team wanted to return the favor to these guys by making them the all-stars for once and giving them the experience that their support offers the team each year.

 

 

The event was held on a new Miracle League baseball field which is handicapped accessible. The team wanted to include all of the special needs students, not only at their school, but at all 4 district high schools. The SHOWDOWN All-Star Baseball Game eventually grew to a tailgate, raffle and fundraiser (all their idea!). We had over 20 all-stars, each with able bodied buddies to help them around the bases and cheer them on. The buddies were from the team at Olathe Northwest High or teams from the schools of the all-stars. We hoped for 200 people and had over 400 in attendance! The boys took the lead like champs on this amazing day in July! In addition to school Mascot races and crazy events between innings, we raised close to $3,000! The Mayor showed up and was so impressed he later publicly gave the team a Commendation for their efforts. They were covered on the news and the radio and made memories for everyone in attendance!

 

 

 

One player was so moved, he made a proactive decision to raise money for all of the all-stars and the Special ED programs at their high schools. We gathered $1,000 for this effort and split it between the 4 schools, thinking it wouldn’t make a dent. However, when I called the school district to get the details for sending the check, I learned that this money would more than DOUBLE the annual funds for these classes (sad, but true!). The teachers are thrilled and already have plans for the money. One school has wanted to take their all-stars on a field trip for years, but did not previously have the funding. I shared this with the student who had the initial idea – what a joy to see his face light up at the understanding of the change his simple idea will make! Even more of a joy that this particular student was my son.

 

Watch the student video here: Jack & Colin

Watch the News Story here: SHOWDOWN News