Disability Dream & Do organizers seeking sponsors and donors for D3 Day in October
D3 Day is coming back to Pine Island’s Bobby Holloway Memorial field on Saturday Oct. 22. This event is organized for physically and mentally challenged folks of all ages, who are kids at heart, with a love for baseball.
Dave Clark, who began the event as a pro ball player in the 1970s, said they are hoping for both sponsors and donors to cover equipment costs for the event, which is free of charge for all participants.
“D3 Day originated back in the ’70s when I was a player. We call it organized chaos,” Clark said.
The Pine Island event is a little different from the other D3 Day event camps, Clark said, in that there is collaboration from professional teams and club members in the other venues. Most of the money raised for the camps is brought about through sponsorships, he said. Participants will receive T-shirts and caps as well as a meal provided by the camp.
“Last year the Florida Sting Rays semi-pro football club had some of the members come out to help us with the kids,” Clark said.
Awards will be given to each participant following the event, as well as baseballs, which can be autographed. Overall, Clark said, the event ends up costing approximately $75 per participant, excluding administrative costs.
“Through sponsorships, we’re offsetting the costs involved,” Clark said.
The camp is set up with timed stations for the players to follow, such as hitting, fielding and catching stations. This year, Clark said, there will likely be a dunk tank set up at a station of its own, so the players can knock the selected dunker into the water.
“We had such a great acceptance of our camp out on Pine Island last year. We were shut down by COVID and for two years we couldn’t use Hammond Stadium,” Clark said.
The welcome attitude found in islanders has brought D3 Day back for another round, Clark said, emphasizing that the spirit of volunteerism on Pine Island has made it easy to return.
To inquire about the camp, visit D3DAY.com. To speak to Dave Clark regarding sponsorship or donations
607-329-7492
To send a monetary donation, please mail checks to: Disability Dream & Do, 85 East Denison Parkway, unit 130, Corning, N.Y., 14830.