EUREKA — A video showed the stream of young faces excitedly awaiting delivery of 400 pounds of baseball gear.The time was two years ago, but the mission Friday was the same. Dave Silverbrand, at the time a reporter with KVIQ and now the station manager, had worked with local youth baseball guru Rex Bohn to scrape together equipment to give to the kids of El Limón village in the Dominican Republic.
Video was taken of the event, and the excitement on the kids’ faces was plain to the camera’s eye. That first hand-off was such a success that Bohn and Silvebrand — working with new partners in St. Vincent De Paul’s, St. Joseph Health System and others — launched a new campaign this year.
And the haul has grown.
Barrels, crates, bags and boxes testified to the community’s generosity Friday at the Adorni Center. Scores of baseballs, jerseys, mitts and cleats sat waiting, ready to be shipped out as part of Cleats for Kids. The program seeks to equip young Dominican Republic ball players with the means necessary to play the game properly.
They’re already playing — when they’re not working to earn money for their families, that is — as part of Onfalia Morillo’s year-round baseball league. Her land serves as the playing field and she does whatever she can to help them along.
”There’s a total of about 1,000 kids in that league — just about every kid in town plays baseball,” he said. “Baseball is more than a game, baseball is life to them. They play all-year long. When they work and make money they take the money home to their families. But they play baseball for themselves because it’s their dream to be successful.”
City Manager David Tyson said giving the donations fits right into the Humboldt County personality profile.
”One of my passions — other than the work I do for the city — is helping with youth baseball and youth sports so when Dave Silverbrand asked me to become involved with this last time, I certainly welcomed the opportunity,” said Tyson. “Here in Humboldt County, we have a long history of people giving to the youth of our community and I think this gives us the opportunity to expand upon what we do in Humboldt County.”
Dan Heinen, executive director the Redwood Region Society of St. Vincent de Paul, said the effort fits right in with the mission of the society.
”When Dave approached us on the project, we just had an instant level of enthusiasm,” Heinen said. “Because our mission is to help people in need and it’s not just in Eureka, Arcata, Humboldt County or the United States, but it’s all around the world.”
Bohn, of Redwood Empire Little League, said baseball should be an equal opportunity sport.
”Everyone should be able to play, and they shouldn’t be denied for any reason — for race, gender or financial reasons,” Bohn said.
Local residents help out when local children can’t afford to play, and now that generosity extends outward.
”The main thing is, no child should be denied if they want to play the game,” he said.
Collection containers can be found at any St. Vincent DePaul store in Humboldt County, at Sport and Cycle in Eureka and Fortuna and at the Adorni Center.
A checking account has also been established at Umpqua Bank for cash donations. Make checks payable to Dave Silvebrand c/o Cleats for Kids. The collection drive runs through the month of August with the equipment shipped after Labor Day.
Tags: Anti-poverty strategies
