MIRACLE LEAGUE OF
MUSKINGUM VALLEY OHIO

After months of investigation, the Daybreak Rotary Club of Zanesville, Ohio, entered into an agreement with the National Miracle League Association to establish the Miracle League of Muskingum Valley Ohio which encompasses 9 counties of the Appalachian Region of Ohio. The establishment of the Muskingum Valley League is the second one in Ohio. The first, the Central Ohio League opened in May, 2005 in Dublin, Ohio.

The Miracle League of Muskingum Valley is committed to provide the opportunity to the more than 8900 physically and mentally challenged children of the region under the age of 20 to participate in America's favorite team pastime sport, baseball. The proposed facility will also be available for all who may be physically challenged regardless of age when the children's programs are dormant.

The Daybreak Rotary Club considers this to be a total community and area wide project and seeks the endorsement and participation of all governmental entities and active community service organizations of the region served.

An approved site has been selected on Muskingum County property adjacent to the county home and MR/DD Starlight facilities and across from OUZ and Zane State College. Civil engineering design of the proposed facility is currently underway. In order to receive tax exempt grants and funds, the Muskingum Valley Association has established a 501(c)(3) Miracle League Foundation for Muskingum Valley Ohio. Our goal is to raise $210,000 from the various grants available and private donations within the next 12 months.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Miracle Leauge of Muskingum County, is a nonprofit organization of volunteers that will locally build a specialized facility and operate a nationally recognized baseball program for children with physical or mental disabilities. The organization firmly believes every child deserves a chance to play America's favorite pastime, the game of baseball, without regard to their disability.

BACKGROUND
US Census data indicates there are approximately 9,000 children under the age of 21 in the Muskingum Valley geographical area that are classified as handicapped. Children that suffer from any physical or mental disability that excludes them from conventional youth baseball programs, but have the dream and determination to play baseball, will be welcomed into the local Miracle League program. The goal is to help them achieve their dream while building their self esteem. The Miracle League "buddy" system pairs each player with an able-bodied volunteer peer. The resulting bond and esteem building for both is indescribable.

SPONSORSHIP
The Miracle League of Muskingum Valley Ohio, Inc. is a non-profit, public charity, 501(c)(3). The Zanesville Daybreak Rotary Club is the founding sponsor and the associate  of the National Miracle League Association of Conyers, Georgia.

The Miracle League is currently raising money to construct our field. We need your help to make this field a reality. To make a donation, please make a check payable to "Miracle League of Muskingum Valley Ohio, Inc." and mail to our address listed below or drop off at any banking center of Century National Bank or Huntington National Bank.

MORE INFO
Rotarians should visit the following web sites in order to become familiar with the national program and the Dublin, Ohio project:
www.miracleleague.com
www.ohiomiracleleague.org

The Miracle League of Muskingum Valley Ohio, Inc.
PO Box 185 Zanesville, OH
43702-0185
(740) 454-0315
Email: clegats@columbus.rr.com