M2L Associates is pleased to shine a bright light on the Miracle League and all it does to provide miracles for special needs kids in our area who just want to play baseball like other kids.
Thanks to donations from supporters like M2L, the Miracle League and the Langham Creek Family YMCA bring special-needs children the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime by providing baseball leagues that accommodate kids with physical and mental disabilities.
One of the greatest obstacles for special-needs kids to overcome in playing youth sports is a natural-grass field, which can be difficult and unsafe to maneuver from a wheelchair or with crutches. The Miracle League provides special turf fields that are safer and easier for kids with disabilities to use. The program also pairs special-needs players with volunteer able-bodied “buddies” who help and encourage learning of the sport while helping to boost the player’s self-esteem and foster friendship in the process.
Lynn Mauer, M2L Associates principal and chief financial officer, said when she first heard about the Miracle League in our area, she knew M2L had to be involved. “We’re strong believers in the wellness benefits of parks and outdoor spaces, so we were immediately drawn to the Miracle League’s mission to bring these same benefits to more kids and families,” she said. “Athletics and team sports have been a huge positive influence in our M2L families, so we also wanted to see more Houston kids play, grow and build self-esteem through sports.”
M2L began supporting the Miracle League in 2019, just before the pandemic happened, closing in-person sports and delaying league plans across the organization. Today the adaptive sports programs are back, and the Langham Creek Family YMCA is getting ready to host the Miracle League’s third annual All-Star Weekend Nov. 5-7 (stay tuned to this blog and our social media accounts to learn more).
The Miracle League is a national nonprofit organization that began in 1999 and has more than 250 chapters across the country. Bringing the Miracle League to Houston was a labor of love that began in early 2013 when three Cypress residents approached the Langham Creek YMCA in northwest Houston with the idea of adapting the YMCA’s current facilities for a special-needs baseball league. The first field was a temporary T-ball field, but was enough to get the Miracle League started.
With the help of the Langham Creek YMCA, the YMCA of Greater Houston and millions of dollars of corporate and private fundraising, the original site has grown to become the Miracle League Adaptive Sports Complex, which includes a specially designed rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assisted devices, a covered multipurpose pavilion, and a designated parking lot. And thanks to the success of the first Houston-area location, two more Miracle League locations have been added in greater Houston to serve more special needs kids and families.
Rodney Finke, Langham Creek YMCA board member and one of the three original supporters of bringing the Miracle League to Houston, said the huge success of the Miracle League wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast commitment of companies and individuals like M2L Associates.
“We’re so grateful to the companies and individuals that have faithfully supported the Miracle League and our YMCA youth programs,” Finke said. “Thank you, M2L Associates, for your commitment to our mission and support of the Miracle League All-Star Game. Every volunteer hour and donated dollar make a huge difference in bringing these kids to Houston for a once-in-a-lifetime All-Star experience.”
To learn more about the Miracle League and how you can support the upcoming All-Star Weekend, click here or call the Langham Creek Family YMCA at 281-859-6143.