Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 7/06/22

July 6, 2022 When we are not limited, we all thrive

Livonia steps up to help a neighborhood take ownership of solutions

For the typewriter, the genesis of this community project was this note dropped from Rebecca Soubel Gillespie saying that her "family belongs to the Devon-Aire Softball League. The Jr League had their first practice last evening. The new League President shared with me the League is struggling getting the Diamonds/Fields into shape so it is safe for the kids."

A few days later Councilman Brandon McCullough shared the story that he had been contacted by Amanda Gonzalez and asked for help getting the fields in Devon-Aire in shape for the teams to play. My response to McCullough was that we "could talk about this all summer and nothing will happen. So, let's pick a Saturday, eight days from now, and see if we can put it together enough to give these 95 young people learning to play softball a field to play on and a field the neighborhood can be proud of."

And so it began. In eight days, letters to Mayor Brosnan and Superintendent Oquist, two articles in Musings, and a phone call to Veronica Cruz at Livonia Kids and Families, each with the intended result.

Sponsorship by LKF, return notes from Brosnan and Oquist. A phone call with Phil Francis and Mark Johnson, communication with Ted Davis. All played a significant role in transforming one of the three fields that young families with children play on as a part of the oldest athletic team in Livonia, having been set up in 1958.

The Devon-Aire Softball League was established in 1958 as a learning softball league for children ages 4-18. They support any child and teach them the fundamentals of softball and teach them good sportsmanship.

When contacted Livonia Kids and Families stepped up to the plate committing the necessary funding to start the process of building a coalition within the community and developing a partnership with a significant Devon Aire athletic organization.

One individual in the community dropped a dime saying not to mention his name as he offered to provide equipment like bats and balls.

As the coalition of partnerships continued to be cobbled together Gillespie wrote, "This is beyond wonderful. We are so grateful. I am blown away by everyone's generosity and enthusiasm. It fills my heart with joy. I am nearly without enough words of thanks."

Yet another Livonia business stepped up and offered to make up the difference if the funding by LKF did not cover all the materials for grooming.

Ted Davis, Parks & Recreation notified McCullough that bids have been solicited for a company to install new fencing on diamond #2, hoping it will be completed before the end of summer, which should improve the playability and safety of that field.

Board Vice President Mark Johnson, Brandon McCullough, and Phillip Francis, Asst. Superintendent of District Services talked with the schools and concluded that everything was "all set to go for Saturday. What a wonderfully positive event."

Andrea Oquist said that the schools "are fortunate to have such an involved and supportive community."

Dave Varga, Mayor's Chief of Staff dropped a note that Mayor Brosnan had asked him "to share her thanks for coordinating this volunteer effort with Councilman McCullough. We are happy to approve your request and look forward to the positive impact this will have on the youth of our community. It’s gratifying to know that we have such generous civic partners!"

It was 6:30 on Saturday morning, one week from the genesis of the project. The typewriter was ready to leave the Musings Estate to pick up the doughnuts at Looney Baker. Priorities.

This was another community donation as one person after reading Musings asking for 36 doughnuts said they were paid for and I could pick them up after 7:00. I did and I did not eat one, Nope.

The phone rang and it was McCullough, and he was anxious to see how the day evolved.

Nervous? We both were as it was all coming together quickly. Sure all the component parts were ready. Now if only the day showed that community partnerships work when people are asked to step up and take ownership of community problems.

Now if only people showed up to help. What was I going to do if not enough people showed up to eat the 3 dozen doughnuts? And don't say take them home. It was not going to happen.

Amanda Gonzalez, President of the Softball League, was one of the first to show, followed closely by Liz and Blake Jarvis. Blake with his table saw and generator. He and Amanda's husband Jesse, with his auger, were charged with installing a player's bench.

Dan and his son arrived and did not wait for an assignment as they immediately started clearing out the grass around the backstop.

Mike Ladwig, Past President of Rotary AM, even with a torn rotator cuff made it a point to volunteer and stayed the entire 3 hours.

Ryan McCullough with his weedwacker started in on the longer weeds growing at the top of the diamond.

By the time 9:10 arrived, we had 31 volunteers, young and old. Boy and girl. Men and Women. All pitching in. And then the typewriter, unable to lift over 5 pounds, took up a cheerleader role and had a great morning, partly watching the volunteers hard at work and staying away from the doughnuts.

At noon, tired and ready to move on, the volunteers posed for a picture thanking the Livonia community, unknown benefact, LKF, Brandon McCullough.

Thank you is a lost art form so it was great to see the banner signed by team members at one of their practices earlier in the week. The banner can be seen surrounded by some volunteers at the top of this page.

After McCullough posted pictures on Facebook acknowledging what a wonderful community is Livonia, Councilwoman Laura Toy posted a "thank you (Brandon) for leading the team -that softball team league has been in existence forever and ever -they deserve the very best. Thank you for all your efforts and all those fine folks that pulled it together and made that Field viable and accessible once again. Outstanding!

Mayor Brosnan called the day "Very cool! Thank you all for your fantastic work."

The reaction was just as positive as others posted comments on Facebook after pictures were shared of the results.

Bridget called the effort, "Absolutely awesome! We appreciate all the help and donations!"

Rachel said "Wow! Those fields were a disaster last year which stopped us from playing there again. Great work!"

Kacie McCullough wrote that her "blisters and I were happy to help!

When the volunteers had moved on the last two left working were Blake Jarvis and Jesse Gonzalez. They were, with precision and a skillset this typewriter stood in awe watching, determined to give the players a bench. A bench that would stand for years. Measured twice and then cut.

McCullough remembers playing on these fields 25 years ago and the typewriter reflects on playing on the fields from maybe 60 years ago. Started out as a pitcher, failed miserably, and was moved to 3rd base and eventually to the bench. I am not sure that McCullough had any more skills at baseball as he found his natural sport playing ice hockey as captain of the Franklin Hockey team.

But the interest both of us had was not in reflecting on our days of baseball glory but in providing a solution to a neighborhood problem, a deteriorating athletic field, by offering up a solution so that the children and parents could take ownership of a solution, to show neighbors that the community of Livonia, when called upon will respond in support.

$1000 plus in new gear donated

He does not want his name mentioned but after the day was over he texted the typewriter asking if there was any other equipment needed. Amazing and thank you. Here is Brandon and Veronica shopping at Dunham's for home plate, canopy, batting helmets, fielders masks, and softballs. Thank you anonymous benefactor.

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