Miracle League of Northampton County
Miracle League of Northampton County
On October 8, 2022, members of the Knights of Columbus – Father DeNisco Council 3862 of Bangor visited our field to present a check from one of their annual fun raisers. We thank the Bangor KOC for their continued support of our players and our program. This past year, Bill Hutnik a KOC member, passed away. Bill introduced his fellow members to MLNC who have been supportive of us since then.
On October 22, 2022, the New York Yankees Fan Club of the Lehigh Valley sponsored another wonderful Trunk or Treat event for the MLNC players and families at Bicentennial Park on East Allen Township. We thank Sherry Anderson and her whole team for the work they did in organizing and putting on this event. We also thank the organizations that attended with their fantastic creative Halloween themes decorations and costumes.
Click here to view pictures of the event.
On October 15, 2022, the Miracle League of Northampton County celebrated 10 years of providing the excitement of playing baseball for children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. This celebration was held at our field with several hundred players, families and guests.
Board of Directors President Ric Agretto welcomed everyone and introduced two videos which were shown on the video board. The first was from Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. who congratulated the League on its anniversary. The second video was our newly produced production of what we do and how we do it. This was followed by a short address by Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, State Senator Lisa Boscola (both of whom presented us with resolutions), and Anne Baum, President of the Reilly Children’s Hospital of the Lehigh Valley Health Network. To end this part of the program the first pitch took place followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Pirmo Bubba.
A one inning Miracle League game was held between the Athletics and the Dodgers. As usual this game ended in a tie.
Following the game Ric Agretto continued with the proceedings with remarks from Giants player Nick Droion representing all our player, Jeff Young, Chairman of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors and Lori Vergo Heffner, President of Northampton County Council. B.J. Metz, President of the Rotary Club of Easton and MLNC Board Member along with members of the Rotary Club presented a check to cover the cost of a new video board. Dave Dumpel, President of the Palmer Township Athletic Association made a geneous contribution to MLNC in honor of our anniversay. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers/year have come from the PTAA which we appreciate. Mike Heinbach, also a MLNC Board Member, and other members of the Palmer Township Fire Company Social Club made a generous anniversary contribution to MLNC. Turk Starniri, another MLNC Board member, and his Moon Dogs teammates also made a generous anniversary donation. Werner Enterprises, with a facility in Palmer Township, became the sponsor of the Werner Enterprises Pavilion. Ryan Gass, Associate Vice President of Safety & Terminal Management flew in from Iowa to make the announcement and he was joined by Terry Synder, Facility Manager and Jason Diaz, Deputy Manager of the Palmer Facility. On behalf of the Board of Directors and our players we are extremely appreciative of the generosity of all of these great organziations.
The last thing on this day’s very busy agenda was two special awards. The first was The “Turk” Award. “This award is presented annually to an outstanding on-field volunteer at the Miracle League of Northampton County. It is named in recognition of Ernest “Turk” Starniri whose dedication to the Miracle League and its players serves as an example for all volunteers.” The first persons name on the board is Allison Crilly a very appreciated volunteer for MLNC. The second award was The Robert Lammi Founders Award. “This award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contribution to the Miracle League of Northampton County and its mission. Robert Lammi was the driving force in the creation of this Miracle League and the Founders Award is named in his honor.” The first persons name on this board is Sue Trinchere. Sue is a member of the Board of Directors and a very busy manager of the concession stand for many years. Congratulations to all.
Pictures of the event can be viewed by Clicking Here.
On December 11, 2021, the MLNC held its Annual Holiday Party. Here area a number of photos of the event.
Thank you so much to the Knights of Columbus of Easton for their generous donation of $1,000 to our League today at our Annual Holiday Party! We appreciate your kindness and generosity!
On Thursday, November 4th, The Business, Industrial & Professional Assoication of Palmer Township (BIP) held its 44th Annual Civic Trust Awards banquet. At the banquet Jeff Kicska,, founder and coordinator of the Palmer5K race and member of the BIP Board of Directors presented a check for $5,000 to Ric Agretto, President of MLNC. For the past 10 years proceeds from this race, which is held in conjunction with the annual Palmer Days event at Fairview Park, have been donated to MLNC which to this point has totaled approximately $50,000. The players and board of directors thank the BIP for their continued support of our organization.
The 2021 Miracle League of Northampton County Trunk-or-Treat event was held yesterday at Bicentennial Park in East Allen Township. Again this year the Lehigh Valley Yankee Fan Club sponsored this special event. Approximately 200 players and their families drove through the park were they were welcomed by 30 decorated and costumed businesses, organizations, and families who were handing out treats to the players in each vehicle. A super time was had by all. A very huge THANK YOU VERY MUCH goes out to Shelly Anderson and her team from the Yankee Fan Club who put this wonderful event together. Thanks also go out to those who participated and created the very innovative Halloween themes. Click this link https://adobe.ly/3CdcM51 to view pictures of the event.
LVMSBL Officer Jim Reagle, presents a check for $2000 to Miracle League of Northampton County Co- Director Dan McKinney. From left are Chuck Frantz with his Miracle League team, the Yankees, and Miracle League’s Co- Director Amanda Secrest. This was a special day for the League and the charities. We thank LVMSBL for the generous donation.
At the MLNC’s Batting and Base Running event on Saturday, May 22, 2021, David Kopew and Jared Neff of Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem presented a donation check of $10,196 as part of Subaru’s “Love Promise Award” program to Ric Agretto, President of the Miracle League of Northampton County. In their news release Faulkner Subaru states:
“Faulkner Subaru has been recognized for going above and beyond in supporting the causes and passions that are most important to Subaru owners. Faulkner’s generosity extends this year to the Miracle League of Northampton County, an organization that provides an opportunity for children and adults with disabilities to play baseball at a facility that meets the unique needs of the players and their families. This year Faulkner Subaru along with Subaru of America, Inc. will donate over $10,000 to this heartwarming organization.” To see the full news release click here.
The Board of Directors and the players of the Miracle League of Northampton County thank Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem for their super generosity.
Recently, we lost one of our most precious players. Eric McGovern was one of our original players from day one as has the entire McGovern family and children. Eric was so much fun as he challenged Mr. Dan to fire fast balls to him every time he came to the plate and yes, he never failed to hit them. Eric was loved by all of us who had the privilege to know him. He was a big Yankee fan and was a member of the Lehigh Valley Yankee Fan Club led by our board member and President of the club, Chuck Frantz, and often went on trips to Yankee Stadium. Of course, he played on the Yankees at the Miracle League coached by Chuck Frantz. We will miss him dearly. Condolences to the McGovern Family from the entire Miracle League of Northampton County family.
