Brooklyn Youth Baseball Team Headed To World Series Thanks To Community Donations
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn youth baseball team is headed to the World Series, all thanks to support and donations from the community.
But, the dreams of the Bonnie Braves almost didn't happen.
As CBS2's Steve Langford reported, the kids' hard work and talent may have won them a spot in the series being held in Rockford, Illinois -- but the team was worried they wouldn't be able to go because of finances.
The Youth Baseball Organization, which started back in 1949, charges just $500 for its spring and summer program. That includes uniforms and equipment. If a family doesn't have the $500, the child plays anyway, Langford reported.
But a trip to the World Series will cost more -- a couple of thousand dollars for each family to send their young ballplayer to the series, money not everyone in Flatbush has.
The boys attempted to work hard to reach their fundraising goal of $20,000 to pay for the trip, but only raised $435.
That struck a chord, prompting an outpouring of support that turned this into a field of dreams come true, Langford reports.
The moment CBS2 told the story of the Bonnie Braves in Brooklyn, the online fundraising took off, soaring to over $10,000.
"I don't think anyone anticipated that people would react as quickly and as generously as they did," said Bonnie Youth Club President Jerry Katzke.
"All the people helped us with the money to help us go to our dreams," a player said.
A few donors remain anonymous, including the individual who gave $15,000.
"It actually makes me tear up," said one of the team moms, Drena Muniz. "It's really overwhelming that people care."
The team's coach says his 10-year-old stars will never forget this moment.
"I haven't got words to describe what happened," the coach said. "Those kids feel like they got the whole town behind them."
Although the fundraising is still in motion, the team is for sure going to the World Series.
For more information on the team's fundraising efforts and how to help, click here.
