The Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund has partnered with the WINARC (Winthrop Advocacy Resources Community) again this year to sponsor the Tee-Ball Program. Local 25 has been a sponsor since the inception of the program in 2019.
The WINARC Tee-Ball Program is open to children ages 3-10 years old and is a true community activity. High school students and adults volunteer as buddies, so each player is paired with a buddy for the game. 25 players are participating in the program this year.
“The Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund is proud to sponsor the WINARC Tee-Ball Program again this year,†said President Sean M. O’Brien. “Our mission continues to be to give back to the communities where our members live and work. To some it may just be a children’s tee-ball game, but to the players this is their World Series every Sunday. Whether they hit the ball or make it on base doesn’t matter. They are part of a team and learning life skills that will stay with them beyond the season.â€
“We are excited to be able to run the WINARC Tee-Ball Program again this year after missing out on last year due to the pandemic,†said Rita Mansfield, WINARC board member and program coordinator. “We all missed out on so much this past year, but especially children who don’t fully understand the pandemic. The donation by Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund is integral to our program’s success and we are grateful for their support once again.â€
The Teamsters Local 25 Autism Gala is the marquee fundraising event for the fund. The gala was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, but the organization was still able to support many autism organizations. “Despite having no event and other challenges posed by the pandemic, I am happy that we have been able to fund our grantees again this year. The Teamsters Local 25 Autism Gala will be back stronger than ever, and our mission will never slow down,†said O’Brien.
WINARC was founded over fifty years ago by a group of parents and young adults with disabilities. This grassroots organization of families recognized the need for social and recreational participation in the community for their children, and they committed their efforts to creating those opportunities. Through the tremendous support of Winthrop and its surrounding communities, WINARC’s community partnerships with businesses and families have ensured the successful operation of its current programs, as well as the development of new programming to fulfill the ever growing needs of children and adults with disabilities. The mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.
The Teamsters Local 25 Gala for Autism is rescheduled for January 8, 2022, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Teamsters Local 25 is the largest Teamsters union in New England with more than 12,000 members. For more information about the Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund and Gala for Autism, please visit www.TeamstersLocal25Autism.com.