Just after Thanksgiving in 2006, Mike Miselis, vice president of the Cal Ripken Baseball League, saw some kids playing baseball on a field near 11th Street.
This was a makeshift team effort using make believe bases and one tattered baseball.
“I coach baseball,” he said “I’m always carrying things in my car. So I pulled over.”
After calling the kids over to the fence, he threw several baseballs and bases to them. These were not valuable items, and things he would have likely disposed of anyway. But the kids treated him as if he were Santa Claus.
“The goal back then was to raise money during the holidays and get some needy kids some much needed free sneakers.” – Mike Miselis
________
Miselis sent out an email to all the parents and people in the league asking for donations. He figured he could collect money and then let needy kids shop at the league’s sponsor store, which happened to be Foot Locker at the time.
Within a couple of weeks, he had received thousands of dollars.
Free sneakers
“I thought we could get some money together and help out some kids by letting them shop for things at our sponsor, Foot Locker,” he said.
He contacted the public schools to find kids who needed it most.
“The goal back then was to raise money during the holidays and get some needy kids some much needed free sneakers,” he said. ”I was able to get Foot Locker, one of our sponsors in our league, to partner with us. Along with donations raised by the community, many of which came from families in the Cal Ripken League, we really made a difference. Foot Locker would also kick in a significant donation as well, helping us provide sneakers to hundreds of needy families.”
From 2006 to 2008, the campaign was able to raise an incredible $15,000 and help numerous families smile during the holidays.
“In 2009, we lost Foot Locker as a sponsor. So we were not able to pull off the event, and thus many kids lost out on a fun holiday and some much needed help,” Miselis said.
But this year, Modell’s Sporting Goods in Jersey City has agreed to partner with the league.
“Like Foot Locker did in the past, Modell’s has made a significant donation to the campaign,” he said. “Here is how it works. As the league receives donations, we will tally them up and invite as many kids which our donations allow. Each kid who can use some help will be given $100 each and on Dec. 18, the Bayonne Cal Ripken Baseball League and some league officials will take all the families and their kids on a light rail train ride to Modell’s in Jersey City for a shopping spree they won’t forget.”
As more and more donations come in, Miselis said he will reach out to more families and invite the kids so they can buy whatever they need (clothes, gloves, sporting equipment, sneakers, etc.).
“I personally will reach out to all the principals in the Bayonne Public school system and ask them to recommend several families from their respective schools who they know are having a difficult time and who can use some assistance,” he said. “This system approach assures us that the donations are going in the right hands and to families who are truly in need.”
As of late November, the program has already raised $2,210 – which means that 22 kids will be treated to a shopping spree at Modell’s.
“There is no better feeling in the world then to help kids, and especially kids who are right now less fortunate then others,” he said. “To see the smiles on those faces and making their Christmas a happy one is what it’s all about. I encourage anyone to get involved and make a donation, regardless of how big or small the donation is. You will feel like a million bucks, and it will warm your heart.”
Anyone interested in making a donation can make it payable to “Bayonne Cal Ripken Baseball” and put on memo of check “Make A Kid Smile.” The address is Bayonne Cal Ripken Baseball, P.O. Box 3260, Bayonne, N.J., 07002. Anyone with questions or interested in helping can call (201) 436-8787.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.