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REQUEST FOR ACTION
TO ITEM NUMBER
Ma or and Ci Council 6.2.
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Awards and Reco 'tions November 21, 2011 Tina Allard, Ci Clerk
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Mrs. Sherburne County International Banner Presentation Cal Portner, Ci Administrator
REVIEWED BY
ACTION REQUESTED
^ Mayor Dietz is asked to speak and present Amy Nelson with her banner.
^ Amy will speak for a few minutes about the Mrs. International Pageant.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Amy Nelson has been selected as 2012 Mrs. Sherburne County International and is now qualified to
compete for the title of Mrs. Minnesota International next March. The Mrs. International Pageant
recognizes married women for their accomplishments in family, profession, and community stewardship,
emphasizing the virtues of elegance, confidence, and intelligence.
ATTACHMENTS
^ News Release
^ Information from Amy Nelson's website
^ Information from The Miracle League website
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
1'IIwEn~o ar
N:\Public Bodies\Ciry Council\Council RCA\Awards and Reco~,mitions\Mrs. Sherburne Counry.docx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 8, 2011
CONTACT: ALLISON L. STAVRAKIS
PHONE: 952-432-6758
FAX: 952-953-3896
www. mrsminnesota. com
Email: pa ug_nltd(r~frontiernet.net
Mrs. Minnesota officials are proud to announce that Amy Nelson has been named Mrs.
Sherburne County Internationa12012 and will represent our community at the "2012" Mrs.
Minnesota International pageant March 10 and 11 in St. Cloud, MN. She will compete for a
grand prize package and the opportunity to represent Minnesota at the 2012 Mrs. International
pageant. Her official banner will be presented by Mayor John Dietz on Monday, November
21, 2011 at 6:30PM at the Elk River City Hall.
Amy Nelson is the wife of Mr. Jared Nelson. She is employed as the founder of Accurate Home
Care, LLC and is the mother of two children.
The Mrs. International Pageant system recognizes women for their commitment to family,
profession and community stewardship. Throughout her year, the new Mrs. Sherburne County
International will not only compete for the state crown, but she will also be available to speak on
her "Platform" Turning Disabilities Into Possibilities, make appearances, do special
presentations and assist with civic and non-profit oriented projects. To schedule an appearance,
contact the State Office at 952-432-6758 or Amy directly at www.amynelson.ora
Mrs. Sherburne County International is currently seeking sponsorships as she prepares for the
state competition. If you are interested in sponsoring Mrs. Sherburne County International,
would like information about attending the Mrs. Minnesota International pageant or would like
an application for the 2013 local competition, call Pageants Unlimited at 952-432-6758.
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The Miracle League
tfome History Friends( Partners Find a i.eaguej Start One Make a Donation Gear Webstare
Members Gear Store Media/Press Events/Fundraisors photo Gallery Graa7d Openings Contact Us
History
In 1997 Rockdale Youth Baseball Association's coach Eddie Bagwell invited the first child with a disability to
play baseball on his team; Michael a 7 year old child in a wheel chair attended every game and practice, while
cheering on his 5 year old brother play America's favorite pass-time. And in 1998, other children with
disabilities were invited to play baseball on a typical baseball field within the baseball complex of the Rockdale
Youth Baseball Association (RYBA). The players had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in
the field, and round the bases just like their main stream peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams
that first year.
There were no programs to copy. It was decided that:
• Every player bats once each inning
• All players are safe on the bases
+ Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run)
• Community children and volunteers serve as `buddies' to assist the players
• Each team and each player wins every game
The main concern was the playing surface, presenting potential safety hazards for players in wheelchairs or
walkers.
By the spring 1999 season, the league gained support and became a source of pride for all involved as
participation grew to over 50 players. During that season, the magnitude of the need for such a program was
recognized. It was Teamed that there are over 75,000 plus children in Metro Atlanta with disabilities, most not
being able to participate in team sports. That is when the dream of building a unique baseball complex for these
special children was conceived. The Miracle League was formed and became a reality that all children should
have the chance to play baseball.
Under the leadership of Dean Alford, the Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form
the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization. The new organization had two objectives: (1)
raise the funds necessary to build a special complex with facilities that meet the unique needs of the Miracle
League players, and (2) assist in the outreach efforts for Miracle Leagues across the country.
With the help of community volunteers and corporations, the design and construction of the first Miracle League
complex was underway. The wmplex would include acustom-designed field with a cushioned rubberized surface
to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to
wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. The design also included three grass fields, which could be
converted to the synthetic rubber surface as the league grew. In addition, accessible restrooms, a concession
stand, and picnic pavilion were included in the design
The first of its kind Miracle League Field broke ground on December 31, 1999 and The Miracle League complex
was completed in April 2000.On opening day, the Miracle League rosters had grown to over 120 players. The
players raced around the bases and chatted with their teammates in the dugouts as they celebrated. Nicholas
Slade, a player who had been in a coma just a week before, threw out the first ball.
The players' enthusiasm has continued to grow. By spring, 2002, over 250 players filled the Miracle League
rosters. The parents tell stories of their children insisting on playing despite bouts with kidney stones, broken
bones, and recent hospitalizations. The thrill of playing, the cheers from the stands, and the friendships they
develop make the Miracle League Field an oasis away from their everyday battles. Our umpire describes this as
the only league where no one ever gets mad at him or her.
"Buddies" assist Miracle League player. These buddies are mainstream children who play baseball, youth church
groups, boys and girls scouts to mention a few. As a result the parents, children and volunteers are all brought
together -special needs and mainstream alike-in a program, which serves them all through service to children
with special needs. The program is opened to children from any community and, until Apri12002 was one of a
kind.
The Miracle League has received local and national media attention. The league has been chronicled in the local
newspaper, televised locally on NBC, ABC, Connecting With Kids and FOX, Atlanta affiliates and nationally on
CNN, MSNBC and Fax Sports. In July 2001, the league was profiled on a segment of HBO's Real Sports.
Articles profiling the league appeared in People, Family Circle, Rotary International magazines, and Paula Deen.
In January 2002 the Miracle League were awarded the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and on January
24th PAX TV's "It A Miracle" told the story of Conyers Miracle League Player Lauren Gunder.
Febmary 2002 the Miracle League Players were featured in Rotary Internationals' PSA chosen out of 500
applicants. Winter of 2002 the Miracle League again was profiled in the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine.
January of 2002 won the 1 lALIVE TV Community Service Award and June of 2002 took the Jefferson Award,
http://www.miracleleague.com/history.html
Page 1 of 2
11/14/2011
The Miracle League
The American Institute for Public Services, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr.
One of the greatest achievements was being inducted to The Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2002 The
Miracle League was featured in People, Family Circle, Rotary International, TIME, Sports Illustrated, FOOD
Network's Paula Deen's Magazine, Embracing Changes, to name a few. 2008 a Wine was created for Braves
Player, Chipper Jones and The Miracle League was the beneficiary of its world wide sales. And recently received
the National Consortium for Academics and Sports Award.
The publicity from these media events, coupled with positive word of mouth, raises awareness among the
families of children with special needs and allows the Miracle League Association to take the program across the
country.
Presently there are 240 Miracle League Organizations across the country including Puerto Rico, Canada
and our newest member in Australia. The Miracle League is proud to serve over 200,000 children and
young adults with disabilities.
Our gold is to offer this program to every city in the country so children, young adults and adults alike with
special needs around the globe will have this same opportunity to play baseball. The Miracle League believes;
"Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball."
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.cie League M1 ,oc o i. RV riyhte ~.. e~f.
http://www.miracleleague.cotn/history.html
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