Gift is paired with a season-long volunteer commitment from members at every home game
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Benevolent Order of the Dragonfly presented a $36,000 check to the Rappahannock Miracle League on Sunday, August 23, at Ability Field at Sunshine Ballpark, marking a significant expansion of a partnership between the two organizations that began a year ago.
The unrestricted gift supports the league’s operations over the next twelve months. Rappahannock Miracle League (RML) serves children and young adults with special needs throughout the Greater Fredericksburg area, providing inclusive sports opportunities where athletes of all abilities can play, build confidence, and have fun in a safe and welcoming environment. Alongside the check, the Benevolent Order of the Dragonfly is committing its members’ time. Dragonfly volunteers turn out at RML games to run concessions, help with game-day operations, and cheer the players from the stands.
Executive Director Jada Fields accepted the check alongside the families of RML players, ahead of the day’s 1:00 p.m. game.
“Our order was founded in part to confront the inequality of opportunity that children with disabilities face — in the classroom and everywhere else. That gap doesn’t close on its own. The Rappahannock Miracle League closes it one Sunday at a time, and our members have seen it happen from the stands all season. This commitment is us putting our resources where our mission already was.”
— Chris Pierce, President, Benevolent Order of the Dragonfly Lodge 2 We are so incredibly grateful to Dragonfly for believing in our mission and their generous support. Every gameday, their members show up for our athletes, cheer them on, and have really become part of the RML family. This commitment will help us continue growing our program, support more families, and create a community where every athlete has the opportunity to play, belong, and be celebrated.”
— Jada Fields, Executive Director, Rappahannock Miracle League
The Fredericksburg gift follows a back-to-school effort earlier this month in which another Dragonfly lodge provided free school supplies to thousands of underprivileged students in Virginia Beach City Public Schools.