Listeners Experience Joy of Giving

No matter how long I have done my radio shows, listeners continue to amaze me with their generosity. Whether it is supporting local Girl Scout cookie drives, Boy Scout popcorn sales, Back-to-School programs, or our annual Christmas Toy Drive for TAPS, the tragedy assistance program for survivors of military members who die in the line of duty, you, the listeners continue to step up.

Another example is the baseball equipment drive I do periodically for the very needy kids in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic, or DR, supplies the second highest number of players to Major League Baseball, obviously only behind the United States. And this small country, with a population of just over ten million, develops these players with, often, little to no equipment. They play with sticks, rocks wrapped in duct tape, and even using bottle caps for “balls.” They play on fields that are often carved out with machetes.

But you have helped me change some of that. It may be a small part, but we are making a difference. You have supplied gloves, bats, balls, both new and used, to literally hundreds of young kids playing not only for fun, for their love of the game, but in hopes that it may lead to something more. Maybe an invitation to try out with one of the Major League clubs that has a training complex on the island. Who knows? Maybe a future major leaguer in the making.

A recent trip was another example of how well this program has been received. The Colorado Rockies helped me and a few listeners who joined me on the trip reach over one hundred and twenty kids in the Villa Mella region, a dirt poor area north of Santo Domingo, the country’s capital. We started with a prayer and then distributed thousands of dollars worth of equipment, while the kids looked on, to the local coaches so they could equip their teams. They then distributed everything to the players. We had kids of all ages and abilities. And to conclude the “festivities,” every single kid lined up and came through and shook our hands and thanks us for coming, and for the donation. What a class thing to do. They didn’t speak English, but it didn’t matter. They spoke both baseball and smile. A very emotional and gratifying day. Thanks to all the listeners who helped make it possible.