Four years ago, Pat and Charline Godwin made a commitment to become more involved in their community of Moncton.
That pledge led to the Field of Dreams Baseball Team, a program for physically and mentally challenged children and teens.
“If you build it, they will come,” is the famous line from the baseball blockbuster Field of Dreams, and for the namesake team, it is also true.
The Field of Dreams Baseball team is in its fourth season and is still growing.
“The first year, I think we had 28 kids. The second year we had 29, 28 last year and 32 this year. So, this is the biggest group we’ve had so far,” says Charline.
The group hits the diamond every Monday night over the summer. Charline and Pat say it is the best way to start their week.
“Just seeing the smiles and the joy on the kid’s faces, even their family’s faces, it makes it all worthwhile,” says Pat.
For team member Emily, the experience has indeed been worthwhile.
“It is so amazing and I like it,” says Emily.
For Emily’s mother Pasquelle, the program has provided an opportunity she otherwise may not have been able to give her daughter.
“I could put her on a regular team, but overall, she’s so much happier here,” says Pasquelle.
Pat is a member of the Hub City Brewers, one of Moncton’s senior men’s baseball teams. Many of the players and staff volunteer at the Monday night sessions.
The Brewer’s head coach, Greg Hickox, says Pat and Charline took ownership of the program from day one.
“They take care of the gear, the registration and getting all the volunteers and all the parents, so certainly, without them it would be a lot tougher,” says Greg.
“There has to be something exceptional inside those two to make them do this and be here every week and rally all of those people around them. They’re just tremendous individuals, really amazing guys,” says Pasquelle.
Congratulations to Pat and Charline Godin, our Maritimers of the Week!
If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Week award, we want to hear about it.
It doesn’t matter how old they are, the nature of the good deed they’ve done, or what part of the region they live in – we want your ideas!
Please send your nomination to:
maritimer@ctv.ca
or
Maritimer of the Week
P.O. Box1653
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2Z4
