Orioles, Owings Mills Business Surprise Local Family

Meghan Bunting has a lot on her plate. The Sykesville mother of four has a son, Liam, who suffers from Plagiocephaly, a condition in which the infant’s skull is misshapen at birth. Liam, who is 8 months old, must go to a physical therapist once a week and wear a cranial cap 23 hours a day.

However, when Bunting and her family went to in Owings Mills on Tuesday for a free new wrap for Liam’s helmet, they received a much-deserved surprise. In addition to the Baltimore Orioles-themed helmet for Liam, they unexpectedly received six free Baltimore Orioles tickets, one for each member of the family, courtesy of the Orioles and the store.

Mid-Atlantic Sign Solutions, a sign and graphics company, is part of the nonprofit organization Wrap Buddies, which promotes the wrapping of cranial caps and casts for children free of charge. Cranial caps often cost more than $3,000 and a new wrap can cost up to $1,000. Wrap Buddies, which was founded three years ago, has inspired several graphics and signage stores, including Mid-Atlantic Sign Solutions, to get involved.

“Being able to help someone that’s in an unfortunate situation—it’s a way to give back to the community and [put] a smile on a child or infant’s face,” explained David Mannino, owner of Mid-Atlantic Sign Solutions. Mannino, as well as Sales Director Jon Takacs and Graphic Designer Chris Siegle, were responsible for making this day special for the Bunting family.

Bunting found out about Wrap Buddies through a friend who also had a child that wore a cranial helmet. Bunting and her husband Chris went forward with the new wrap for Liam after Mid-Atlantic Sign Solutions offered their services.

As Orioles fans, the Buntings suggested using the Orioles colors and logo for Liam’s helmet. After Mid-Atlantic Sign Solutions contacted the Baltimore Orioles' marketing department for their permission and explained the Buntings' situation, the Orioles organization approved the design and sent over six tickets to an upcoming game, as well as t-shirts, hats, and an autographed Bird’s card. When the family attends the game, they will be visited by the Oriole Bird and be allowed to run the bases after the game.

Bunting, who arrived at the store with Liam and two of her daughters, was stunned when presented with the gifts from the Orioles, and repeatedly expressed her gratitude to all those involved as she choked back tears.

“My husband and I are appreciative beyond words that [Mid-Atlantic Sign Solutions and the Baltimore Orioles] would go to such great lengths to improve the quality of my son’s life, even if it is just for a few months,” said Bunting, “The fact that everyone was willing to make life a little bit better for my son means the world to us.”