Fundraising Efforts For Miracle Field In Vernon Still Have Momentum

VERNON, CT — Fundraising momentum is picking up in the efforts to build a fully accessible regional athletic field on the campus of Northeast School in Vernon.

The Miracle League of Northern Connecticut has a pair of major events scheduled:

• On April 23, the Miracle League will be hosting a wine tasting Gala and auction at the Clubhouse of Santini Grand Lofts, 1085 Hartford Turnpike, in Vernon. The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. and tickets are $50. The price includes five wine tasting and charcuterie selections. An online auction will also be featured. For tickets email teacherleibo@gmail.com or purchase them online www.miracleleaguenorthernct.org.
• On May 15, the annual Miracle League of Northern Connecticut golf tournament will take place at Tumble Brook Country Club. Tee Sponsors, volunteers and golfers are encouraged to reach out to teacherleibo@gmail.com.

Proceeds from the events will help pay for the field, specially designed for disabled athletes.

Last month, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut announced a partnership to put the finishing touches on a project to build a regional adaptive youth sports venue in Vernon.

The national foundation will construct the park, assist in final fundraising efforts, and stay engaged through programming after the park is open, according to the announcement. The park has been designated for the campus of Northeast School off Route 30 in Vernon. To date, $550,000 of the $750,000 needed has been raised and the goal is to exceed that number to help cover operational and programming expenses after construction is complete, according to the announcement.
The park will accommodate baseball and softball programs as well as lacrosse and soccer.

The Miracle League Youth Development Park will be a custom-made cushioned, synthetic turf field designed to help prevent injuries and include wheelchair-accessible dugouts and a flat, barrier free surface to provide accessibility for visually impaired players, players in wheelchairs or other assistive equipment.

There are roughly 270 adaptive fields across the country and two others in Connecticut (West Hartford and East Lyme). The park in Vernon, located 30 miles northeast of Hartford, will be a regional home to the Miracle League.

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has a significant footprint in the State of Connecticut, having built 12 of its signature Youth Development Parks across the state. The Miracle Field will be its first adaptive park in the Constitution State. The organization has built nine parks in Bridgeport and three in Hartford.

Nationwide, the Ripken Foundation has been involved in the construction, opening and programming of 112 parks that provide youth safe places to play and learn with 22 of those being adaptive parks. This year the organization is on pace to add an additional eight to 10 more parks across the country.

Further details and information can be found at:

• www.miracleleaguenorthernconnecticut.org