Excited was an understatement for Manny.
One afternoon, a Brevard Achievement Center (BAC) staff member overheard Adult Day Training (ADT) client Manny C. talking about his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees. His eagerness to meet the players led our Dream. Wish. Wonder. team to see if they could make Manny’s dream come true. When it was discovered that the Yankees would be playing a Spring training game in Kissimmee against the Atlanta Braves, BAC’s team pulled some strings and got Manny tickets to the ole’ ball game!
A baseball fan herself, BAC staff member Cindy Keith volunteered to take Manny to the game and invited another die-hard fan and ADT client, Glenn C., to tag along. The trio even got to the stadium early in the morning to watch batting practice. Together, everyone had the time of their lives watching their favorite team take the field.
An autographed baseball was the cherry on top for Glenn.
“Manny and Glenn were absolutely ecstatic to be able to go to see the Yankees,” Keith said. “We had popcorn, peanuts and hotdogs. We got a couple of shirts and some programs too. Best of all, the guys got a couple of autographs from the Yankees’ team and also one from the Braves as well. At the bottom of the eighth inning, we walked over to the grassy area and watched the ending with a bunch of the Yankee fans. It reminded me of what a true baseball fan is.”
After nine innings, some classic stadium meals and an autograph signing meet-and-greet, Manny and Glenn were exhausted and ready to return home. Knowing how truly happy the they were, Keith had a wish for the future, telling Manny and Glenn she would try to take them back every year.
“That was a dream come true!” exclaimed Glenn upon hearing Keith’s pledge.
Although the day was long, it was a good one overall. Thanks to BAC’s dedicated Dream. Wish. Wonder. team and Keith’s promise, odds are Manny and Glenn will be at another Yankees Spring training game next year, too.