ThunderRidge Poms play Baseball with Sports Made Possible "Buddies"

On Saturday June 6, the Varsity and Junior Varsity Pom teams from ThunderRidge High School spent a long but rewarding day as buddy volunteers to children at the Jason Jennings Adaptive Field in Littleton. Sports Made Possible is a charitable organization that provides children and adults, who are living with various mental and/or physical challenges, an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league.

During each game, every child is given an opportunity to hit the ball and score a run. Team members are assigned "buddies" who assist them in hitting the ball and "running" the bases.

TheThunderRidge girls got more than they bargained for "we thought it would be a nice way to get volunteer hours and spend some time as a team but it was so much more. "The kids in every game were so enthusiastic and happy, the spirit was contagious and we had as much fun as they did " said co-captains, Missy Hurley and Faymie Westmoreland, who are Seniors on the Grizzlies Varsity Poms team.

The point of the game is less about baseball and more about fun! The benefits gained by everyone involved are tremendous. The child's self esteem grows, they make friends, become less isolated and "just become a regular kid, not a kid with a disability."

It is estimated that over 7% of Colorado children are living with a disability. For more information about the program and volunteer opportunities, visit http://sportsmadepossible.org