Teaching for Tomorrow - Newletter

Where to start was now the question? Anywhere you could, except the basement, as it took until the following Friday to finally get pumped out and cleaned to allow the dehumidifiers and industrial fans to do their job. This could not be possible until the river receded to normal and the water table would allow water to be pumped into the sewers.

So how does baseball fit into this equation? Throughout the week, players, parents, umpires, managers, and coaches from the local teams were there to help. Volunteers from the minors, majors, juniors, and even players who are not playing the game anymore, spent hours and some even days helping with the cleanup. As well, hundreds of other volunteers, some known to us with the majority strangers, worked countless hours helping anyone and everyone to lighten the load. Many brought bottled water, sandwiches, pizza, hamburgers, cookies, and fruit along with their encouraging smiles and words. Everyone was covered with mud from head to toe. They all knew that this job could not be done by the families alone and every pair of hands was welcomed.

From the young players (picture of Penny, a volunteer angel, from the minor Rangers) to all those who were involved in baseball in some capacity, put on their rally caps. On July 1, Canada Day, we celebrated with thanks to everyone, especially those who worked throughout the week from the baseball circles. Many ‘life skills’ scattered throughout the Teaching for Tomorrow program came into play highlighted by determination, team work, hard work, and friendship. We all saw first-hand the damage done and the effort necessary to move forward. God has always been there with the helping hands given by family, complete strangers, and our Little League baseball community.

There is a long way to go to complete the journey back to a normal life for so many, but a tremendous amount of work has already been accomplished by caring and loving people.

To everyone who was in any way affected by the flood in the Calgary area, the Little League family wishes you the best and applauds the outstanding efforts of so many volunteers! Thank you to our wonderful friends in baseball!!

If you wish to get in touch with me, please call 4032734656 or email
al.herback@gmail.com.