Summer brings out fundraising sales and fun

Spring is certainly a time for new things to show up. One may be groups of people making noise and having fun along the sides of streets or in parking lots. Something’s going on.

Well, it could be “travel ball” or “summer camp.” Both of these activities will turn adults and youth into untamed promoters.

Travel ball is what happens when young people play league baseball or softball during school evenings and then continue that activity on all-star select teams in the summer. One’s local all-star team travels on weekends to area towns to play the all-star other teams.

Being “all stars,” these teams are serious. They win rings for victories, not dull trophies. They travel with grand and great grandparents, brothers, sisters and friend’s travel. After all, it’s a chance to win a world series title from somewhere. Usually that’s about 200 miles away.

So, it’s travel ball. The Atlanta all-star 6U players and team supporters were on the edge of streets or in parking lots last Saturday selling baked goods while building enthusiasm.

On the same day and time in Atlanta, the youth, parents and friends of the Sand Hill Assembly of God Church at Bloomburg were in the parking lot for Price Hardware. They were selling baked items to send their youth to summer camp.

This, too, was a “serious” matter. More than $1,000 would need to be raised to send some 10 youth and adults to camp. For two days and night, Thursday and Friday, church members had baked items to sell on Saturday. They hoped to sell out.

An enthusiastic youth, Remington Dawson, was walking around on his own and introducing himself to downtown citizens, all to invite that person to come taste and purchase these homemade cupcakes. Remington was so cordial, he succeeded with several customers.

The Sand Hill Assembly of God Church over near Doddridge is some 150 years old. It is a small church but has a successful bus ministry that brings young people to church, according to pastor Damon Hampton and his wife Autumn.

And this is why members are excited about summer camp. Something is magical about spring and summer camps and being all-stars when ball playing. Like flowers blooming, youth and adults reach out to introduce themselves to the public especially with bake sales. It is almost impossible not to buy if one stops and says hello.

Travel ball and summer camps are two springtime happenings which make a community excited. Perhaps middle-agers and seniors should have such opportunities.