Woody’s award-winning novel “The Butterfly Tree” is available at Amazon (click here), other online retailers, and orderable at all bookshops.
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“When I was growing up in North Carolina,” Joel Crawley reminisced in an email, “I lived in a poor neighborhood and none of the kids could afford to buy a baseball. We would improvise by using a broomstick and the plastic container which lemon juice came in that looked like a lemon. Thanks for doing Woody’s Holiday Ball Drive again to help out similar kids.”
Truth is, the thanks goes to Joel and Chris Crawley – who donated five new sports balls this year for local disadvantaged youth “in memory of Jim Cowan, a good man, a good educator, and a great Ventura Downtown Lions Club member for more than 30 years” – and the many, many other generous givers who include…
Katherine and Frank Anderson donated five basketballs, as did Sheila and Tom McCollum.
Kathy Long donated half a dozen assorted balls, as did Steve McFadden in memory of his dad, Harold – aka “Coach Mac,” one of my all-time favorite teachers I had for three years in middle school – noting: “It always makes me smile to know a deserving child might have a little better Christmas. My dad would love to be part of your ball drive.”
Fran and Kate Larsen also donated six balls; Signe Smale gave one ball for each of his five sports-loving grandchildren; Ethel Yim donated four balls; Bob Vrtis gave three; Sandy Berg gave two; and Mary Goodenough gave one ball.
Glen Sittel donated six balls in hopes of “increasing the fitness of the mind and body of kids”; Theresa and Steven Yamamoto donated three balls; Lynne and Keith Hooper donated one ball, as did Jenny Kinney; and the crew at J & H Engineering donated a dozen.
Peggy and Paul Graham gave five balls, as did Al and Carol Gross “in honor of Dick Utter and his 1949 CIF Ventura High School HS basketball team.”
An anonymous couple gave one dozen basketballs “in memory of Dr. Tom Turner, DVM – a youth coach, mentor to many, tireless volunteer, great family man and a shining example of a life well-lived!”
Mary Bemis gave a dozen balls “in memory of my son Michael who hit a Little League grand slam at Arroyo Verde Park in April of 1995 at age 11” and added: “It’s fun to picture the kids receiving their new baseballs, basketball, footballs and all!”
Ken and Elaine Lyle took some of their grandchildren shopping with Josh Lyle choosing two footballs to give, Corbin Spahr selected two soccer balls, and Brynlee Lyle picked out two volleyballs.
Keith R. Pillow donated five assorted balls “in commemoration of my father, Richard A. Pillow, who always attended every game of mine when I was younger. He was an active donor to many causes and nonprofits, especially those which benefitted and focused on children.”
Allison Johnson donated two balls “in honor of my brother Michael Demeter, a basketball player who would really like young players to enjoy the game as much as he does.”
In a family tradition originated by their “Grandpa Walt” Oliver 15 years ago when they were young, Elijah and Doc Ontiveros, together with Brandon and Tommy Kendlinger, donated 20 assorted balls “in loving memory of their cousin/brother Michael Kendlkinger.”
Sharon Kloeri, noting that “giving back to the community is such a blessing,” spearheaded a remarkable team effort that included her Sizzlin’ Senior exercise class, Port Hueneme Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theatre by the Beach, Lions Club of Port Hueneme, Oceanview Adult Day Program, and Savvy Seniors Club 55, donated a collective avalanche of 410 balls.
“Once again this is our favorite time of year – specifically, making kids smile,” said Sally and Tom Reeder, who donated 14 smiles, while Geri and Katie, no last names given, donated 20 smiles.
Mia and Brad Ditto gave an assorted baker’s dozen, noting: “No kid should be without a ball of his or her own.” Indeed, thanks to so very many of you dear readers, a legion of local kids now have their very own brand-new sports ball – including some baseballs so they won’t have to pitch and hit a plastic lemon.
In fact, your generosity has been so great my acknowledgements list will be continued here next week – along with this year’s final ball tally of smiles.
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BALL DRIVE NOTE: Balls ordered from Amazon often were missing gift notes from the senders, even when filled out online, so if you did not email me about your donated balls please do so at WoodyWriter@gmail.com so I can acknowledge your kindness in print.
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Essay copyrights Woody Woodburn
Woody’s new novel “The Butterfly Tree” is now available in paperback and eBook at Amazon (click here), other online bookstores, and is orderable at all bookshops.
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Woody writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @woodywoodburn.