Organizers of the Amherstburg Mind, Body & Soul (AMBS) Festival pledged to give their proceeds to the Miracle League of Amherstburg and they fulfilled that promise on the weekend.
Organizing committee members including president Nick Cacciato from the Amherstburg Soccer Club (ASC), Linda DiPasquale from the Amherstburg Pickleball Association and Wren Dosant from the Valiants basketball program were joined by representatives from the Miracle League and other festival contributors Sunday morning for a cheque presentation.
The Miracle League received a cheque for $3,200 Sunday morning, with proceeds generated from the organizations represented by those on the committee as well as Ultimate Frisbee and the Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC).
“We have contributions from all the various organizations,” explained DiPasquale. “Any support we can give this worthy cause is valuable.”
Cacciato pointed out the ASC covered expenses for the AMBS festival. He added to his belief the July 19-20 festival went well.
“I think for the first year, it’s pretty good,” he said of the donation. “We’re already planning for next year.”
DiPasquale said the Miracle League of Amherstburg were “very gracious” and worked with AMBS organizers before, during and after the festival.
“They’ve been awesome,” she said.
DiPasquale added they learned a lot about running a festival and were pleased overall with how things worked out. They are looking to build on it and improve for 2025, adding they had “a lot of positive feedback” this year.
“I think we are pleased and looking forward to continuing what we started next year,” she said.
“It was a lot of hard work by the team,” added Cacciato.
Miracle League of Amherstburg president Shawn Dufour said they were surprised to get such a large donation. He added there was a special Miracle League baseball game held as part of the Mind, Body & Soul Festival.
“Our players liked playing in the summer but it was very hot for them,” he said.
The regular schedule resumes Sept. 7 as the fall season begins. Volunteers are always welcome and people can sign up at www.amherstburgmiracle.com for dates and times where they are available.
The Miracle League of Amherstburg will be having 15th anniversary celebrations this fall, which will involve daylong celebrations Sept. 28 with activities off the diamond as well as games on it. All nine teams will be invited to participate.
“It’s going to kick off a large fundraising project,” said Dufour.
The donation from the AMBS festival was “a great start” to that campaign, which will fund maintenance of the playing surface.
Mind, Body & Soul Festival makes donation to Miracle League
By Ron Giofu
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