Bloomsburg’s Little League fields, located in the town park, were destroyed by the flooding last month. While volunteers have come from as far away as Rochester, NY to help with clean-up, the work is far from over.
“Our goal is to finish planting grass (on the fields) by the end of the month,” said League Treasurer and Administrator Leslie Chyko.
The concession stand, which also serves as off-season storage for the league, took in twelve feet of water and needs to be completely rebuilt. In addition to that structure, three of the dugouts need major repairs and most of the league’s equipment was lost as well. Chyko estimates the repairs and replacements will cost around $10,000.
Chyko says the league reached out to major and minor league teams and has received items from several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wilkes-Barre Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles. They will put all these items up for auction to help raise money for the clean-up projects. There will be a fundraising raffle with all-you-can-eat buffet at the Bloomsburg Fire Hall on Sunday, December 4th, starting at 1pm. Tickets are $30.
Chyko suggested those interested in purchasing tickets for the raffle, volunteering or donating supplies can contact the league through their Facebook page.
Individuals wishing to donate money may also send checks to:
Bloomsburg Little League
P.O. Box 26
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Thank you for the article which brings attention to our need after the flood devastation. Our thoughts are with those individuals and businesses that have lost so much due to this natural disaster. We are grateful to AGAPE who has been so helpful for our community and when available has provided us with groups of volunteers to assist in our clean-up effort.
Just to clarify and expand on the information. The concession stand does need masonry repairs and needs completely remodeled inside the structure. Most player equipment for 340 plus kids ages 5-15 was lost due to the flood, along with 2 lawn tractors, almost all concession equipment, water heater, electric panel, lighting, 2 scoreboard controllers, lime, chalk, diamond tex and our fields are in need of major repair. $10,000 only covers the dugout and concession masonry repairs and replacing flooded player equipment. The field repairs and replacing the lawn tractors and other lost items are still unknown though most likely will be an ADDITIONAL $10,000 – $20,000. We’ve already been fortunate enough to have a load of top soil donated, discounted grass seed and lime obtained along with a donated new gas pressure washer from ALCOA (parent company of Kawneer) – THANK YOU! Many of our coaches, board members and parent and player volunteers have spent countless hours in the effort to recover. The grass seed is due to be planted this week and will be put under special tarp which will allow it to grow in time for spring. A major overhaul of the fields will need to be done next summer/fall, but it will have to wait until they dry out and heavy equipment can be used. Drainage will need to be addressed.
We are in great need of donated materials such as lime, chalk, top soil, stone, lawn tractors, water heater, concession grill, deep fryer, paper products/utensils, appliances, gloves, cleaning supplies, metal countertops, chest freezer, refrigerators, scoreboard controllers, insulation, closed lighting fixtures, wire, drywall, lumber, paint, gas weedwackers, tools or anything that might aid in our recovery.
Our gun raffle is Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 1:00pm at the Bloomsburg Firehall. We will have a crossbow, hunting guns, $300 cash prizes, along with side raffles for kayak, 4 other guns, all you can eat dinner, drinks, 50/50, pulltabs and Chinese raffle which includes donated items from major and minor league teams. Ticket cost is $30 which gets you and guest in and 1 raffle ticket for regular drawing.
We would appreciate any means of support financially, in materials or donated items for raffle or your volunteer time.
Bloomsburg Little League, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-porfit organization. Next season will be our 60th chartered year and are optimistic that through the community and our volunteers we can provide a safe environment for our youth to play baseball and softball next season.
Please contact me at (570) 394-4691 or lachyko@aol.com with any questions. Thank you!
Leslie Chyko
Treasurer / Fundraising
Bloomsburg Little League
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Hi Leslie, thank you so much for expanding on the article! The Bloomsburg Daily would like to help further the call for help for the Bloomsburg Little League. I have added your fund raiser to our events calendar and will also share it with some contacts across the web who may be able to help. Please feel free to share this story and the link to the event calendar freely.
https://www.thebloomsburgdaily.com/event/bloomsburg-league-fund-raiser/
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