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| Vol. 23, No. 21 |
| November 15, 2001 |
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A Real "Field of Dreams" Camp For All, the nation’s premier camping and retreat facility for individuals with special needs, recently celebrated the completion of its new wheelchair-accessible ball field with a special dedication ceremony at the campsite, located 85 miles northwest of Houston. The new field is named in honor of Tom Metz, a former Houston resident and camp volunteer who, in 1999 at the age of 32, lost his battle with cancer. One of Metz’s last wishes was that memorial funds donated in his honor be used to enhance programs at Camp For All. Because he was an avid baseball lover, the funds were used to build a new field so that campers with special needs can experience the thrill of the game. Hundreds of Metz’s friends, family members and caregivers from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center gathered to inaugurate the new $130,000 ball field, which features large, paved viewing areas and a flat, hardpacked playing surface to maximize safety and mobility for physically challenged players. The new ball field was made possible by generous donations from Metz’s family and friends, and by a significant contribution from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a grant program of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players’ Association. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund was designed to promote and enhance the growth of baseball in the United States and abroad. "I’m thrilled that Major League Baseball saw fit to help fund this worthwhile project," said Bud Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball and friend of the Metz family. "Tom loved baseball and he enjoyed helping others. It was a privilege to know this wonderful young man and I’m delighted that baseball has played a role in honoring Tommy’s memory through the Tom Metz Ball Field." The ball field is the latest enhancement to the nonprofit, barrier-free camp that serves children and adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities through unique and specially designed programs and facilities. Camp For All is located on more than 200 scenic acres near Brenham, Texas and welcomes organizations that sponsor camps for children and young adults with a variety of illnesses and disabilities, including epilepsy, cancer, HIV, and hearing and sight impairments, among others. Camp For All tailors programs to meet the individual age, interests, physical and mental capabilities and mobility requirements of each camper. Activities include swimming, canoeing, biking, team sports, archery, a ropes course, horseback riding and fishing. For more information, call (713) 686-5666 or visit http://www.campforall.org.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/11_15_01/page_05.html |