2023 Fireworks Show is this weekend!!
Last year we threw together the Fireworks show to help build our community. Fundraising wasn't the ultimate goal, community was! This year has shaped up to be an amazing event. This is for us as a baseball community but also to show our surrounding populations just how great things are here at M-Pact! Share on social media, show up, have fun, and invite your friends!
Image Caption: July 29th is the date set for another great event at the M-Pact fields
Why we need Community
One word we don’t like to hear when we talk about M-Pact and Magic is “organization”. When we started M-Pact in 2017, it was simply a place for kids to practice and try to do it in a positive manner. Once we started to grow organically, we realized we wanted this place to be a community of people building up one another to help navigate this journey of raising athletes with character.
As humans, we are wired to crave a sense of community. The past few years have taken some of that away from us and the effects have shown on some people.
A recent study shows:
Having a strong support system helps people overcome challenges more easily and maintain a state of mental well-being. Human connection also decreases health risks and improves physical well-being and longevity. Strong social connections strengthen the immune system and increase your chances of a longer life by 50%
Image Caption: 2022 Fireworks show was a great example to the M-Pact community strength
Even in the Bible, we are told that being there for one another is what God wants for us.
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
We need one another not only to get through our daily lives but to Glorify God by loving one another.
So, the question is, how does M-Pact maintain a sense of community?
As you have seen I’m sure, we have our annual Fireworks show this weekend. This event is to help raise funds but more importantly, it is an opportunity for our community to be together and grow. Our first year, we barely made any profit, but the event brought our groups closer together.
Community is about relationships! Relationships are messy and not perfect, so people tend to remove themselves easily.
Growth comes from overcoming challenges!
1. Connecting with people isn’t going to perfect.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
2. Is not One Sided! Relationships are not transactional, they are transformational.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
What does a positive community look like?
• Mutual Care and Accountability – We need each other to grow.
• Risky? – Yes! You must put yourself out there. People with differing opinions can do great things together!
• Being present – Not just physically, its about investing in each other.
• Being Active! – Take action, be intentional about your time together. Time is a valuable resource!
"Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone."
Image Caption: 2022 Christmas Parade showed Shawnee how the M-Pact community comes together!
Dirt Dog Camp
Just Breathe Kid!
This past week, we put on our first ever youth Dirt Dog Camp! A few of the local high schools cancelled their youth camps so the 2026 squad decided we would host on at our fields. Over two days we had over 40 campers show up with 13 original DirtDogBoys coaching them up!
Image Caption: Campers learning the meaning of being "on time" for every pitch from the 2026 infielders
One aspect of our program was leave it better than you found it. The camp not only focused on M-Pact players trying to help today's next round of youth players, they showed them things outside of baseball to be a better teammate. How to care for your glove, how to leave a dugout, how to cheer for a teammate.
Our friend Patrick Smith loved working with the younger kids and he was in our hearts the whole week. His memorial fund is still active and will go to helping a kid stay in the M-Pact program and provide that escape that Patrick felt when he was here. Link is below.
2023 Coaches meeting
Switching it up!
We have always felt strongly that our coaches should be pulling on the same rope! We have several meetings throughout the year as a whole to align our goals and try to grow from one another.
This past week, we thought we would change it up and try to spark more conversation, share each others stories, and do our best to provide a future plan for our community. Coaches gathered together with their spouses and in a very unique atmosphere to plan out the upcoming Fall and Spring seasons. Laughs, tears, ideas, and stories were shared for hours and we all felt that M-Pact is in great hands with this group!
Final Thoughts
Growth is about being uncomfortable
"Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone!"
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