We appreciate the support for the League of Dreams program and Prospect Meadows! #GivingTuesday has concluded, however if you'd like to make a donation to the League of Dreams program or Prospect Meadows contact Angela Jordan at angela@prospectmeadows.com.
The League of Dreams was created after the flood in 2008 in partnership with Perfect Game, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Minor League Baseball, and Rawlings to provide opportunities for under-served 2nd and 3rd graders in the Cedar Rapids metro area the opportunity to play in a baseball league at no cost. Prospect Meadows expanded the league to include 4th and 5th graders in 2019 in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Tuesday Noon Optimist Club, and has taken over the full operation of the League of Dreams in 2021. As a non-profit, Prospect Meadows relies on the generosity of the community to help fund programs that help us fulfill our mission to provide a place to play for all youth.
We were able to resume the Optimist League of Dreams program in 2021 after we were forced to cancel in 2020 due to the shutdowns related to COVID-19. In 2022 we were able to grow the league from 52 participants to 60 participants! This opportunity was available in large part due to the success and generosity of those who donated to the 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign. We were fortunate enough to raise $12,550 towards the League of Dreams on Giving Tuesday 2021! Our goal is to raise $12,500 this year as we grow the League of Dreams program and provide more opportunities to the youth of Linn County. We hope to serve at least 80 kids in the 2023 Optimist League of Dreams.
New for the 2023 League of Dreams season is our partnership with Iowa BIG. Iowa BIG is an organization that provides real life experiences and projects for students through partnerships with outside organizations. We are thrilled to be working with a great team of students who will help with community outreach, recruitment of players, and game day operations. We believe that through this partnership we will be able to grow the League of Dreams beyond our goal of 80 participants!
Testimonial
“Amazing!” “So much fun Mom!” “I cannot wait until next week!” These were some of the expressions that my son told us after he played with the League of Dreams. As a parent, you always want the best for your child but you also want to make sure you fit them with the right team and/or game. The League of Dreams provided a way for our son to learn the game and have fun doing it. We believe that this program is a way for kids to just enjoy playing the game and not always think about the win. I highly recommend this program to those who want to be a part of a team with a small town feel. It is fun to watch our kids play the game and hear how much fun they had. Reminds me of playing ball out in the backyard at home. Thank you for providing a great program.
Katie Powell - Parent
First, there is a day of thanks. Then, there are three days of getting deals. Now we have a day to give back.
Following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving and celebrating generosity. For Prospect Meadows, this is a day that brings the community together to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. We are asking for your help to make the League of Dreams experience a reality for underserved children throughout Linn County.
