Help Make Miracles Happen
The Miracle League of Southeastern Connecticut volunteers are the backbone of our organization. There are many opportunities to get involved.
Whether you would like to become a Buddy to one of our players during team sports on the new field, help at our iCan Bike summer camp, or be a volunteer at one of our many other events, we would truly appreciate your help.
Become an Active Part of the Community
Volunteering for The Miracle League of Southeastern CT gives you the opportunity to become an active part of the community that you live in. You may register as an individual or if you have a group (sports team, civic group, workplace or school group) we would love to have your help. Volunteering as a group is a fantastic team building experience. Many of our volunteers have conveyed to us that they get just as much if not more out of the experience than our players do.
Become A Miracle League Sports Field Buddy
The most hands on way is to become a Buddy Volunteer. Buddies are folks who assist our players during our games one on one. Buddies must be 12 years old and up. No real sports skills are necessary.
Become A Miracle League iCan Bike Volunteer
The Miracle League of Southeastern CT also runs the iCan Bike summer camp in East Lyme each summer. iCan Bike is a program that helps children with special needs become independent riders on a two wheel bicycle. iCan Bike volunteers must be at least 15 years old and be able to run alongside a bicycle rider for extended periods of time. Our volunteers serve as spotters for each rider as they are learning to ride.
We ask that our volunteers are available for the full week of camp because we like our riders to get to know their helpers well. Trust is a very important part of this process and that can only be achieved through continuity. The camp runs each day Monday-Friday each year normally in early August. There are five 75 minute sessions each day. You may volunteer for one session per day or as many as you like.
Volunteers are provided with a shirt for the week that identifies them to the riders and we provide lunch from some of East Lyme’s most generous local restaurants each day. Come join us at the iCan Bike camp. You will feel the same sense of accomplishment that our riders do. It is truly an amazing experience.
Become an Everybody Dance Now Volunteer
Everybody Dance Now is a NEW adaptive dance program. The program is in collaboration with Studio 22 Dance located at 135 Boston Post Road in East Lyme.
The 8 week program will take place on Saturday mornings beginning on March 23rd and ending on May 18th (there will not be classes on Saturday April 20th). We will have Live Dance Showcase for our new dancers to show off all that they have learned on May 18th.
Ideally we will have a volunteer helper for each of our dancers to help them as much or as little as needed. The volunteers will also participate in the Dancer Showcase alongside their dancers during the final week. There truly is no requirement that you are good dancer. All you need is some empathy and a willingness to help children with special needs to express themselves through dance. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old, and should be available for the full 8 week run of the program. We need volunteers in East Lyme!!!
Volunteer FAQ’s
How can I volunteer?
There are many multiple ways to become a part of The Miracle League of SECT. The most direct way is to become a Buddy/Mentor for one of our players. The Miracle League of SECT also has many other events during the year and needs volunteers for those events.
What are Buddies/Mentors and how do they help?
Buddies/Mentors are volunteers who assist our athletes. Miracle League participants have a wide range of needs and abilities. Some of our participants need very little assistance during the activity and may just require some encouragement while others physically need assistance. A Buddy’s/Mentor’s number one priority is the safety of the participant that they are working with during any activity.
Does a volunteer have to be available to help every week of the season?
We appreciate any time that our volunteers can give us. As we have multiple activities on any given day, it’s greatly appreciated if you can stay for more than one activity per day (each activity lasts approximately one hour). Our participants sometimes become attached to their Buddies/Mentors, and some great friendships develop during the season if there is some consistency.
Who can be a Miracle League Buddy?
Anyone who is 12 years of age or older may volunteer to become a Miracle League of SECT Buddy/Mentor (exception is the iCan Bike Program 15 years of age or older). Adults are welcome and appreciated.
I have a team or group that would like to be Buddies/Mentors. Can we volunteer as a group?
Certainly! Volunteering together is a fantastic team building exercise for any group. It is a perfect way for high school or college teams, clubs or other groups to give back to their community. We can schedule you for a couple of hours on one day or for multiple days. We ask that all members of your group be 12 years of age or older as we require for all our Buddies/Mentors. For more information or to schedule your group please contact David Putnam, Executive Director at dpmlsect@gmail.com.
Do I need to know much about sports or the activity in order to become a Buddy/Mentor?
Absolutely not. You do not need any athletic skills to be a Buddy/Mentor. All you need is compassion, enthusiasm and energy.
How do I register to be a volunteer? Can I just show up on the day?
All volunteers must pre-register. Registration is available online through a link on our website www.mlsect.org. Registration for volunteers starts about a month before the start of the season and continues throughout the season. There is no cost to register as a Miracle League of SECT Buddy/Mentor. We will contact all Buddies/Mentors who register prior to the season to discuss schedules.
What should I expect on game day?
All Buddies/Mentors are issued a Miracle League of SECT t-shirt on their first day.
Do I need any equipment to be a Buddy/Mentor?
No you do not. If you have equipment, bring it, but it’s not necessary. Sneakers are required, no baseball cleats are allowed on the Miracle League Field.
What if we cannot attend one of our scheduled activities?
Please let us know by email if you are not going to be able to make it on any day.
Can I receive credit for community service hours?
Yes. We are happy to sign any forms or provide a letter for you to receive credit for required community service hours. Please provide any forms that you have or request a letter from David Putnam, Executive Director at dpmlsect@gmail.com. Be sure to allow an appropriate amount of time for the forms to be filled out.
Become a Miracle League Volunteer Today!
We are always in need of volunteers! To register, fill out the form below. Be sure to select the programs you’re interested in helping with. There is no fee to register as a volunteer.
For more information, or to register as a team or group, email Dave Putnam at dpmlsect@gmail.com.
"*" indicates required fields