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Resending this as a reminder if you would like to make a donation before the end of the year. Contributions for 2021 should be postmarked no later than December 31st, 2021.
Over fourteen years ago, what began as a backyard conversation between Rotarian Joseph Johnson and neighbor Melinda McClendon became a reality in a short few months. Melinda, who has a son with Downs Syndrome, had a dream as a result of watching a featured TV program concerning a Miracle Field that had been developed in a sister state. With a determination to turn that dream into a reality, Melinda McClendon, invited by Joseph Johnson, pitched the idea to the Dothan Rotary Club.
When Buck McClendon attended his first Rotary meeting, the one person he spotted in the crowd was John Watson. He went straight to Mr. Watson, reached out his little arms, and crawled in the lap of the man that has built much infrastructure in the Dothan community. Within the span of just a few weeks, the Dothan Rotary Board of Directors endorsed the campaign as a Rotary project. The Dothan-Houston County Rotary Club (Dothan Tuesday Rotary) was invited to participate in the project, which they wholeheartedly accepted.
A dream, a vision, committed Rotary Clubs and an involved community completed a $850,000 state of the art Miracle Field project in record time to serve the special citizens of the community.
After ten years of use, the cushioned rubberized surface of the field was in need of replacing. Again, both Dothan Rotary Clubs stepped up to the plate and committed to contribute $100,000 towards the replacement within three to five years.
Though the fund raising for the Rotary Clubs commitment was slowed considerably due to COVID, we were able to raise $60,000 through 2020. This year, both clubs funded an additional $13,600 to the Miracle Field with $12,000 toward the $100,000 commitment and $1,800 to replace signage for the Rotary Field. After this year’s funding from both clubs, the balance left on our commitment is down to $28,000.
With the end of 2021 approaching, we are reaching out to all members of the Dothan Rotary Club for donations towards this year’s funding of $6,800 and the balance of $28,000 of our commitment. Checks can be made out to Rotary Miracle League Foundation and given to Heather at our club meeting Monday, December 20th or mailed to Dothan Rotary Club, P.O. Box 277, Dothan AL, 36302. If you are doing online check writing and need more information, please contact James Etheredge (334-797-4825) or Sheila Azar (334-714-1306).
As always, thank you for everything you do for “Service Above Self”.
James Etheredge
Rotary Miracle League Foundation, President