2008 Woodie Awards
It takes a miracle
Volunteers visit Orlando Miracle League children
Jessica Tuggle
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
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On Saturday, 11 UCF students woke up early to help children with disabilities play baseball as part of Knights Give Back.
Student volunteers encouraged, assisted and praised players from the Central Florida Miracle League, a baseball league for children with disabilities who are unable to play on a traditional Little League team.
Each volunteer served as a "baseball buddy" to the Miracle League players and helped them in any way that they needed. Some children required help swinging the bat or rounding the bases, while others just needed someone to applaud their efforts.
About 300 students participated in the inaugural day of Knights Give Back, said Megan Licata, Volunteer UCF student director. Knights Give Back is a campus-wide day of service sponsored by VUCF, the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Involvement.
Amber Ferguson, VUCF health director, said that she first heard of the Central Florida Miracle League through the American Red Cross Club on campus and has volunteered at games in the past.
"It was so much fun I just had to do it again," Ferguson said.
When students volunteer their time to help children with disabilities play sports, children get into the game and tend to be more focused, and students receive the joy of helping someone have fun, Ferguson said.
"It's a win-win situation for everybody," Ferguson said.
Even first-time volunteers found satisfaction in the new experience.
"I was nervous coming out here," criminal justice junior Joe Eccles said.
But his jitters didn't last long, and Eccles said that he enjoyed how happy everyone was around him.
Nicholas Cox, 13, played first base for the Indians at the Miracle League game.
One of his jobs was to blow a whistle whenever it was time to switch positions, "and when it's time to shake hands and do the high-fives," he said while fingering his shiny metal whistle.
The league runs for 10 weeks in the fall and 10 weeks in the spring. While the league is called a baseball league, the balls are generally pitched underhand. Because the purpose is purely recreational, everyone ends up a winner, and the rules are very relaxed.
Student volunteers encouraged, assisted and praised players from the Central Florida Miracle League, a baseball league for children with disabilities who are unable to play on a traditional Little League team.
Each volunteer served as a "baseball buddy" to the Miracle League players and helped them in any way that they needed. Some children required help swinging the bat or rounding the bases, while others just needed someone to applaud their efforts.
About 300 students participated in the inaugural day of Knights Give Back, said Megan Licata, Volunteer UCF student director. Knights Give Back is a campus-wide day of service sponsored by VUCF, the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Involvement.
Amber Ferguson, VUCF health director, said that she first heard of the Central Florida Miracle League through the American Red Cross Club on campus and has volunteered at games in the past.
"It was so much fun I just had to do it again," Ferguson said.
When students volunteer their time to help children with disabilities play sports, children get into the game and tend to be more focused, and students receive the joy of helping someone have fun, Ferguson said.
"It's a win-win situation for everybody," Ferguson said.
Even first-time volunteers found satisfaction in the new experience.
"I was nervous coming out here," criminal justice junior Joe Eccles said.
But his jitters didn't last long, and Eccles said that he enjoyed how happy everyone was around him.
Nicholas Cox, 13, played first base for the Indians at the Miracle League game.
One of his jobs was to blow a whistle whenever it was time to switch positions, "and when it's time to shake hands and do the high-fives," he said while fingering his shiny metal whistle.
The league runs for 10 weeks in the fall and 10 weeks in the spring. While the league is called a baseball league, the balls are generally pitched underhand. Because the purpose is purely recreational, everyone ends up a winner, and the rules are very relaxed.