Contributor: Rob Baylor, American Legion Post MX 15
In a world that revolves around our families and our friends we find that charity begins in the heart. I would like to tell a story of such kindness. In Puerto Peñasco there are many things going on that we don’t even know about and I will admit I am as guilty as the next person.
In July of 2012, my wife Nancy’s family visited us for 10 days. They fell in love with Peñasco and the people and can’t wait to get down here again. Son- in-law Larry Meyer was sitting on our deck and asked me what he could do for the people. He is very involved with his 3 kids and their sports endeavors, so much so that he gets right out on the field and helps the coaches. Sports include: softball, volleyball, basketball and football. He is also on the school board of the school district in a little town (Exeter) Missouri.
I asked if they ever had any sports equipment that they didn’t want anymore and could he check on it.
When the school districts met for their annual get together he made his pitch for the kids of Peñasco. Over a period of a year his wife, Brianna (Nancy’s Daughter), and Larry collected some stuff and boxed it up to send here to us.
I would like to make this clear that the equipment was donated by them to the American Legion to be distributed as they and the Sports authority of Peñasco saw fit, to the neediest schools that would use the equipment.
We picked up the equipment (4 big boxes) at the Lukeville PO and got the Green Light so we sailed right on through.
After sorting through the boxes, I saw 5 catchers’ helmets and masks, catcher’s body padding, 11 gloves, 14 bats, approximately 50 balls, and several helmets, baseball caps, gloves, shoes and a couple uniforms. Some of the equipment had never been used! Let
Let the games begin!
On October 1st , some of the local American Legion members and Commander Paul Raddatz joined Mark and Barbara Olszewski of the Adopt – A – School Program, who led us to a new school in the Barrio. After bouncing our way along the back roads we finally arrived. The kids were ecstatic and could hardly wait to get the equipment.
It made my heart feel good to see the smiles on their faces. God blesses all the little children.
We would like to thank the Exeter MO, R-V1 School district: Larry Meyer: Director, Brianna Meyer: Co-Director, and all the community based volunteers for the work that went into this project. Last Chance Bazar in Puerto Peñasco also donated 6 bats and 20 balls.
Plus, thank you to Mark and Barbara for helping us!
