Howdy Kinfolk!

I wish you could have been here to see the kids’ faces when they high-fived Brett Gardner! We had invited lots of media – and they all came! – because we wanted to spread the word that a positive role model could be such a touchstone for children to recognize that they can set and then achieve their goals. We’ve posted much of the coverage on our Facebook page, so you can get a flavor of this memorable day; but I also wanted to share another perspective with you, one that goes way beyond the fanfare of the event.

Of all the video, online, and print reports of the day, which included NBC and ABC, the one that told the story most poignantly for me was Newsday’s Tony Olivero, whose angle was that “Brett Gardner still sees himself as one of the other Yankees.” Humble and modest, Brett, who is third on the Yankees and ahead of Jeter and Rodriguez in batting average, fielded questions from campers about his two up-until-now more famous teammates with grace and humor.

Meanwhile, “Brett the Jet” as he is nicknamed, who gave the kids base-running tips, is fourth in the American League with 26 steals!

“He doesn’t see himself as a star,” Oliveri reported. Yet the campers did acknowledge him as a celebrity. That was the story.

Brett Gardner, at 5’10” and a college walk-on, is a great example to children that you can overcome obstacles, that you can “Dream Big,” that you can work hard and smart, and that you can re-invent yourself at any stage of life.

That’s why Brett Gardner was here.  You might say he gave new meaning to our Field of Dreams.

Happy Trails!
Marla