Our latest newsletter

Volume 4 | Fall 2017

YOU CAN HELP US TO WIN $10,000

The Miracle Laegue of CT is currently taking part in the KIND Cause Foundation campaign for September 2017. Our organization submitted a proposal to be considered for our upcoming Super Saturdays program at Chapter 126 along with a brand new program that we are developing for the Spring of 2018 that will focus on the siblings of children with special needs. The KIND Cause campaign awards $10,000 each month to the cause that gets the most votes. This is where we need your help! First and foremost VOTE for our cause by clicking on the word VOTE (highlighted in blue). Your VOTE can count up to 4 times by sharing your VOTE on your Facebook page, Twitter account or by emailing it to a friend. You can vote from multiple email addresses if you have them from your different devices (smart phone, tablet, desktop, laptop). You can vote until September 30th. Secondly, please share our Facebook posts or emails about this campaign with everyone you know. If you belong to another group page please share it there. We need each and every vote possible if we are going to win. Last month's winner got a bit over 6,000 votes. We can certainly do that if we all work together to make it happen!

BIG CHANGES

A New Collaboration

The Miracle League of CT and Chapter 126 - an Oak Hill Center have entered into a collaboration agreement that will help both organizations to create new and innovative programming that furthers their common mission to serve those with physical and/or cognitive challenges. The collaboration is a direct result from our very successful KIDS Club program that was held at Chapter 126 this past fall and winter. In the spring of 2017 the 2 organizations began talks about joining forces in some way that would allow each of the groups to maintain it's own identity. As of June 1, 2017 the collaboration agreement began. The agreement allows us to work together to create new programs, to enhance ones that we already have and to serve more people. It also allowed the Miracle League of CT to take a big step in hiring it's first full time Executive Director, Mike Michaud (Coach Mike to most of you). Mike has been serving as the Executive Director and President of the Board since the Miracle League's beginning in a volunteer capacity. The job has become so big that it now requires the full attention of anyone who might be running the organization. To avoid any conflicts of interest, Mike has stepped down as President of the Board of Directors. In June the Board elected Meg Green (Mom of Miracle League player Preston Green) to fill the spot. Mike is now working out of the offices at Chapter 126 in Bristol (instead of a desk in his family room). Read below for some of the exciting things already happening as a result of the collaboration and keep your eyes open for more. Click HERE to learn more about Chapter 126.

New Miracle League Field in the Works

In the late summer the East Lyme Park and Recreation Department chartered with the Miracle League national office as The Miracle League of Southeastern Connecticut. This was the first step needed in order to construct a Miracle League Field on the property of the Flanders Elementary School in town. The Miracle League of CT will help the town through the entire process and will help to raise the necessary funds for the project to become a reality. The Miracle League of Southeastern CT will work under the 501(c)3 umbrella of The Miracle League of CT and will have a seat on our statewide Board of Directors. Fundraising will kick off in November with a goal of raising $500,000 as quickly as possible. The field design by TO Design has begun. Look for more information about how you can help in the future.

SUMMER FUN

iCan Bike x 3

The summer months have traditionally been a down time for us here at The Miracle League of CT, but that concept got blown out of the water this summer with two incredibly successful programs. The Miracle League of CT iCan Bike program was bigger and better than ever. We have offered the program in West Hartford in past years with great success.

As a result of a very generous grant from the Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins Joy in Childhood Foundation we were able to expand the program to new locations in East Lyme and Milford along with our West Hartford program. Because of the hundreds of volunteers and businesses that contributed housing, lunch and anything else, nearly 100 new bike riders are hitting the streets in their communities. Congratulations to all of the new riders and our sincere thanks to all who helped.

Summer of Fun

The Miracle League of CT hit the road this past summer on three fantastic field trips that were all made possible by a grant from the TD Charitable Foundation. The "Summer of Fun" began in June with a trip to Edaville USA in Carver MA. More than 80 folks joined us at the family friendly amusement park that features Thomas the Tank Land and Dino Land. In July more than 70 people faced off against a very hot day at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. A great time was had by all and we just beat the rain as we left. In August almost 120 of our friends joined us at the Mystic Aquarium on the same day as the solar eclipse. Lots of fun for all and nobody got blinded by the eclipse. A successful day indeed! We capped off the summer on the evening of September 2nd with a Miracle League Movie Night on the field to watch The Secret Life of Pets. All of these trips and the movie night were offered to our families at not cost thanks to our friends at TD Bank.

Miracle League Golf Classic / Evening of Miracles

A great time was had by all at our two fundraisers in June. The Miracle League Golf Classic was held on June 6th at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford. More than 100 golfers dodged raindrops all day. In spite of the lack of cooperation from Mother Nature, the attendees enjoyed some great food, drink and auction items. Just 4 days later, (we know that was crazy), The first ever Evening of Miracles Gala was held at the YG Club in Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford. Our friends from the Hartford Yard Goats were incredibly gracious hosts. On a beautiful early summer evening our guests enjoyed tours of the park, batting practice on the field, some fantastic food and drink and then danced the night away to the music of Latanya Farrell and bid on some great auction items.

Thanks to a great job by the event chairs, Meg Green and Rich McCarthy and our Auction Chair Mary-Lynn Michaud, the 2 events brought in more than $80,000 for the Miracle League of CT. We thank our lead sponsors for the events -Great American Donut, a Dunkin' Donuts Franchisee and Johnny's Jog for Charity along with every other sponsor, donor, attendee and volunteer. Because of your generosity we are able to continue offer all of the programming that we do and are now able to begin working on a second Miracle League field in the state.

FALL AND WINTER EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Miracle League Fall Ball

Miracle League of CT Fall Baseball just kicked off on Saturday September 9th. More than 50 players will be joining us on the field this year. All games are at 2 pm each week. Fall Ball is a bit different than our spring league. We play pick up games each week with one player being chosen as team captain for the week, the captain gets to choose the name for their team also. As you can imagine, this leads to some very interesting team names. We are joined each week by our friends from the University of Hartford Baseball and Softball teams who serve as our buddies in addition to our regular volunteers. Come on out and see a game before the season ends on October 21st.

Trick or Treat Miracle League Style

Our favorite event each year is Trick or Treat Miracle League Style. More than 50 local businesses, civic groups and families come together to create an accessible neighborhood on the Miracle League field in West Hartford. Something that we all enjoyed as kids and took for granted is not so easy for many children with sensory or mobility issues. Our sensory friendly and accessible atmosphere allows everyone to enjoy Halloween in a not so spooky setting. Come on out and join us on Saturday October 28th (rain date Sunday October 29th) at 2pm for lots of treats and maybe even a few tricks. The event is free and no registration is required it is open to anyone with a physical or cognitive challenge and their siblings. If you work for a business or belong to a group or even if your family would like to set up a table in the "neighborhood" please contact Mike Michaud at 860 769-7055 or by email at miracleleaguect@comcast.net for more info.

Registration Now Open for Super Saturdays at Chapter 126

Miracle League KIDS Club at Chapter 126 in Bristol was such a hit last year that we've decided to expand it. KIDS Club features new and fun activities each week in a gym class setting for children ages 4-11 and their "typically developing" siblings or friends who are invited to join them. This year we are offering 2 separate sessions. One in the fall that will run from November 4th - December 16th. The winter session will run from January 13th -February 17th. There will be two 60 minute classes for KIDS Club each week, one at 9:30 am and one at 11am for children ages 4-11. You can sign up for the fall session by clicking on the link below. Register now as space is limited.

What's new this year is Varsity Sports Club which is designed for children and young adults ages 12-21 who have physical or cognitive challenges. As with KIDS Club we encourage participants to invite a "typically developing" sibling or friend to join them. Each week, the fall session (Nov. 4th - Dec. 16th) will focus on one court sport for the entire 90 minute class. That will enable us to have some time for basic skills/drills and time for a game each week. In the winter session (Jan. 13th - Feb. 16th) we will choose the 2 most popular sports and will focus for 3 weeks of the session on each. Register now for the fall session, space is limited.

For more information and to register for both programs by click HERE

Also brand new is a parent component of our Super Saturdays program called "It Takes a Village". Each week during all of the KIDS Club and Varsity Sports Club classes we will have a guest in to offer information and to foster conversation among the parents about varying topics. All of the "coffee talks" will last about 45 minutes and will run concurrently with the children's classes. Of course participation is optional for the parents and requires no registration or commitment. One thing we've learned over the years is that one of the best resources for our families is each other. By sharing experiences and advice you can help others who are navigating the world of raising a child with special needs. We hope that you will join us for a cup of coffee and some great conversation about topics that impact us all.

Friday Night Friendzy

Join us for a new teen drop in program at Chapter 126 in Bristol on the first and third Friday of each month beginning on October 6th from 7-9pm. New and different activities will be featured each week for any teenager with physical and/or cognitive challenges, "typically developing" siblings or friends are welcome too. This program will be guided by the likes of the folks attending. We will have some gym activities available, maybe some craft projects or movie nights too. Registration is not required. There is a$5 per session fee for each participant.

Sensory Friendly Events

Sensory Friendly Fun at the CT Science Center

Come on out to the CT Science Center for a Sensory Friendly Day sponsored by The Miracle League of CT. On Sunday September 24th, and Wednesday October 4th the lights and sounds at the Science Center will be adjusted to make for a more comfortable experience for those with sensory issues. So much is new at the CT Science Center including the new lobby area "Science Alley" and the brand new Butterfly Garden. A sensory friendly guide is available for download by clicking HERE. You may purchase your discounted advance sale tickets for just $14 each by clicking HERE.

Sensory Friendly Live Theater

Join us at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford for the live musical stage show Elephant & Piggie's "We are in a Play!" There will be two sensory friendly performances at 10 am on Friday December 15th and Sunday December 17th. The volume will be lowered and the lights turned up a bit to create a comfortable judgement free atmosphere in which to enjoy this musical based on the popular children's book series - Elephant and Piggie. Deeply discounted tickets (Just $5 each) are available by clicking HERE. Be sure to choose the sensory friendly performance link to get the discount.

The Miracle League of CT is committed to removing all barriers that prevent anyone with physical and/or cognitive challenges to participate in any of our events or programs. This includes financial barriers. If you should need a fee waiver or financial assistance to participate please contact us by email at miracleleaguect@comcast.net with your request. All requests will be kept strictly confidential.

The Miracle League of CT | Phone:860 769-7055

Email: miracleleaguect@comcast.net | Website: www.miracleaguect.org

47 Upson St. Bristol, CT 06010

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