'Miracle Field' of dreams in the works in Murrysville
Murrysville resident George O'Donnell dreams of a special place for children and adults with special needs to gather and play.
For thousands of people in Southwestern Pennsylvania with physical disabilities, the notion of being able to swing a bat and run to first base, has been but a dream.
But through the diligence and determination of a group of Murrysville residents there may soon be a "Miracle Field" -- a special ballpark and play area that will remove all the boundaries that physically handicapped children suffer from, giving them the opportunity to play ball and enjoy activities on a field designed to meet their needs.
In 1995, Murrysville resident George O'Donnell established the "Friends to Friends" organization, whose goal is to bring special needs children and their families together for social gatherings.
O'Donnell's son, Georgie, suffers from cerebral palsy and is legally blind as well as deaf in one ear.
Wishing to promote an environment that can be enjoyed by Georgie and others, O'Donnell teamed with the Murrysville-Export Rotary Club to raise funding for the playing field.
Carrying a price tag of $2 million, the park will feature a baseball field, bocce courts, two playgrounds, basketball courts, a pond, and picnic areas.
The Rotary has donated money and also has raised several thousand dollars. O'Donnell also contributed $20,000 to the project.
Murrysville council donated 4.8 acres for the project, and the group hopes to break ground soon.
"I started 14 years ago and I decided that I wanted to try to do something special for a lot of people," O'Donnell said.
Working closely with the Rotary and the Murrysville community, O'Donnell said he is thrilled and humbled that his dream is emerging into a viable project.
"I think that this is just fabulous," O'Donnell said. "I've very excited and right now, I'm a little numb."
The Rotary hosted an informative session that included area businessmen, group leaders and politicians to give the public an idea of what they are wishing to accomplish.
A short film was shown that was a montage of baseball games that were played by special needs children on different Miracle Fields that are located across the country.
The film gave the audience a first hand look at the joy and pleasure that these children are able to obtain from these facilities.
"We need to donate time, skills and efforts to make this happen," Harold Hicks, Chairman of the Miracle Field of Murrysville Committee and Rotarian said, "it may be a local project but it reaches out far beyond. We hope to be able to do some wonderful things and we are definitely on the move to make this happen. We here in Murrysville are a community with a heart for all people."
Donations for the Miracle Field can be sent to: The Rotary Miracle Field of Murrysville Fund, c/o The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, 951 Old Salem Road, Penthouse Suite, Greensburg, PA 15601.
