On Saturday, June 17, a small group of JEO employees took part in a JEO Foundation event by volunteering with the Ankeny Miracle League to be “Angels in the Outfield”. The Ankeny Miracle League is a non-profit group that organizes and conducts baseball games for handicapped children and adults. Two innings are played where all players bat, run the bases, and field. The League’s goal is to ensure a fun and rewarding activity for all participants, and that’s where the volunteers come-in.
Parents, family members, and friends of the players are encouraged to sit in the stands to cheer throughout the game, but many of the players need some form of assistance in hitting the ball, running the bases, or fielding. “Angels in the Outfield” provide this help by teaming up with one or more players. Above all, an Angel’s job is to encourage and support in every way possible.
The JEO volunteers participated in two adult games, with each game having about 24 players. We may have only been just a few of the volunteers for that day, but every volunteer can make a difference. And as rewarding as a simple game of baseball is to the players, the games are just as rewarding to the Angels.
