Twins Step Up to the Plate for Operation Backpack Kick-off on August 1
Most kids can only dream of a Twins baseball game like this one --
Story by Kristin Ziemke, Community Events and Grants Assistant
As we packed up our things and got ready to load the bus back home, one of the girls from the Family Treatment program sighed and said, “It’s not over already is it?” The 40 kids who participated in this year’s Buses for Baseball event all had a great time—a time they will probably remember for the rest of their lives. It’s not everyday you get to go down on the field and watch the Twins practice. It’s not everyday you are given brand new school supplies by a Major League baseball team, and it’s definitely not everyday that you have the chance to meet Joe Mauer, Torii Hunter, and Justin Morneau. In fact, most of the kids had never been to a baseball game in their lives. No, this wasn’t an everyday kind of experience.
The big event happened on Wednesday, August 1st. Thanks to the Major League Baseball Player’s Trust, about 40 kids coming from four Volunteers of America of Minnesota’s programs (Bar None Residential Treatment Center, Children’s Residential Treatment Center, Family Treatment, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mental Health Services) were given the chance to experience the fun of going to a Twin’s game in a way most kids only dream of.
The excited group of kids all met at the Volunteers of America of Minnesota corporate office and were given “Buses for Baseball” tee-shirts to wear. Then everyone piled onto a big yellow school bus and headed to the Metrodome. When they arrived, they were escorted into the dome, and down flights and flights of stairs, until they finally stepped out onto the field. The kids looked around in astonishment as they realized where we were. They got to stand on the field and watch the team practice before the game. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the players started coming over and signing autographs for the kids. Justin Morneau politely shook hands and signed tee-shirts and baseballs for everyone. Torii Hunter smiled and laughed with the kids, making sure he didn’t miss anyone in the group. And Joe Mauer posed for about a million pictures.
After the players had signed something for each and every kid in the group, the kids were all given a gift bag filled with Minnesota Twins school supplies. Three kids were invited to receive a Twins backpack down on the field, in front of all the fans, right before the opening pitch. “This is so cool!” one of the girls receiving a backpack exclaimed as she and the two others proudly walked out to the center of the field.
With all the pre-game excitement out of the way, it was time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the game. Thanks to the Major League Player’s Trust and Buses for Baseball, their first baseball experience will be one they will never forget.
Volunteers of America of Minnesota would like to extend a very special thanks to all the kids who participated in Buses for Baseball, the program staff members who helped make it such a successful event, and the Major League Baseball Player’s Trust for an incredible experience.
The Action Team kicked off its year of volunteerism and community action at the game - sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Trust. Action Team members manned tables at the entrances to the Metrodome with information and donation materials for Operation Backpack. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Learn more about the Major League Baseball Players Trust and their involvement with Volunteers of America nation-wide through the Action Team.
It was a great fun night for kids from Volunteers of America of Minnesota (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mental Health Program, Family Treatment Program, Children's Residential Treatment Center, Bar None Residential Treatment Center and our Alternative Schools). The Buses for Baseball project let 50 guests (including staff ratio of approximately 1:10) attend the game and have the fun of time on the field with the players for autographs and pictures, kids faces up on the Jumbotron, and food during the game - all provided by the Major League Baseball Players Trust.
The Players Trust partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a Big League game with kids who need more chances to smile.
