a personal essay by Dr. Katie Baker
posted 23 April 2014
On the first Sunday in May, on the 4th, at 2p, the Ballard Boys & Girls Club and the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club will be battle it out at the First Annual ‘Field of Our Dreams’ Celebrity Softball Game, on the upper playfields of B.F. Day Elementary School.
Funding In A Fun Way
As event director and chief sponsor, I hope all our neighbors will attend.
Having worked with children for 20 years, in the roles of teacher, social worker, and family practitioner, it has always been important to me to encourage programs that promote healthy kids and families.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County program is one of these. In serving North Seattle, the three clubs here (Ballard, Wallingford, and North Seattle-Greenwood) serve thousands of children each year, a majority of whom participate in the scholarship program.
Because of this high level of need, I decided to promote the scholarship program and address funding in a fun way, as well as providing an opportunity for kids to spend time with community leaders and mentors.
Jump On Board
Once I started planning the Celebrity Softball Game, so many other small business owners and community members jumped on board. It has been humbling to see how many people are freely giving of their resources to support this cause.
As a small business owner myself, I get overwhelmed with donation requests from many wonderful organizations, but I can’t possibly donate to all of them. That’s why donation levels were kept at a much more feasible level for small businesses, and in-kind donations have been gratefully accepted. Graphic design, social media, and printing services have been donated, along with food and drinks for the players, and a souvenir company and ice cream company will be on site, donating a generous percentage of their proceeds to the clubs.
For All The Kids
I’m really looking forward to the softball game, to seeing the two clubs come together to raise money for all the kids, and to have a great time!
Celebrities include former Seattle Sounder Craig Tomlinson, KJR-FM’s Jodi Brothers, Matt Jorgensen of Origin Records, Doug Farrar from Sports Illustrated, and Nathan Hale coaches Chris Weakley and Derek Woodworth. More celebrities are being added daily, so please check the ‘Field Of Our Dreams’ Facebook page for up-to-the-date information.
Beyond my own business, Stone Turtle Health, sponsor businesses include Mockingbird Books/B.F. Day, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Fremont, Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle, Exclusive Realty, Carter Subaru, Limback Lumber, History House, and many others.
Please join the Ballard & Wallingford Boys and Girls Clubs’ kids and local celebrities on May 4 at 2 pm on the BF Day playfield for the first annual “Field of Our Dreams” celebrity softball game. Tickets will be $10, available at the gate (remember, enter the upper playfields from B.F. Day School,) to help the scholarship fund for our boys & girls!
Related Articles
- Kids’ Safety Tips for the Holidays
- by Dr. Katie Baker, December 9, 2013
- Take Us Out To The Ball Game: The First-Ever Universe Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament
- by Kirby Lindsay, August 15, 2012
Text ©2014 Katie Baker, ND/LMP
Content ©2014 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.