Day of Service

I wanted to thank everyone that helped me with my Eagle project and the Westland 9th Ward's Day of Service. We had around 120 people show up on the morning of September 10th to clean up Bruce Baseball Fields in Kearns. Thanks to all of your help, we were able to fill up 150 40-gallon trash bags with weeds (yes, there were a lot of weeds) and restore these fields to their natural beauty. Vegetation killer was sprayed on all of the dirt areas, and the grass areas of the fields were sprayed with weed killer and fertilizer.  We were fortunate to have perfect weather and a nice lunch afterwards donated by Blimpie sandwiches and Great Dane Trailors. A special thanks to Home Depot, Kilgore Paving, Ready Made Builders Supply, and Pro Build for their generous support. 

We were also able to restore and repaint the bleachers. You can ask me as well as some of the young men in the ward why using oil-based paint for face paint is not a good idea. Earlier this week, the dumpster arrived at the fields and all of the bags of weeds have been removed and the new snack shack is set to be completed later this week. KSL news was there covering the story, and Bob Anderson was featured talking about growing up playing baseball on those same fields.  

The baseball fields are so beautiful now, and the community has their old Bruce Ballpark back. Now the Kearns Baseball pony league has a better season to look forward to next year.  Another thank you to everyone for all your love and support. This project could not have been accomplished without everyone's help.  It is truly amazing what we can accomplish together in service.  

To see a gallery of the pictures of this project, click here.

To see the KSL News story about the project, click here

Thank you,

Lincoln Barlow



BEFORE

AFTER

For the Love of Baseball

The Kearns National Field has been around for decades.  Thousands of kids have enjoyed playing there over the years.  Several years ago, two dads (Les and Gil) began caring for the fields.  They spent their own time and money mowing the grass and keeping the fields playable for kids in the community.

To Les and Gil, baseball is more than a game, it is a way for kids to learn about hard work, dedication, persistence and team work.  A love of baseball and kids has kept these two guys giving their time and money to keep the fields going.  Now Les and Gil are both grandpa's.  It would be easy for them to move on with other things, but most weekends you can find them working on the fields.  They are about the nicest guys you could ever meet.

In June of this year, some vandals burned down the snack shack.  The revenue from that humble 6'x6' building was what Gil and Les used to water and maintain the fields.  When I saw this story on the news, I knew I had to help them.  Why? Because I am a kid who loves baseball.  I am a kid who has learned about hard work, dedication, persistence and team work.  I learned those things from a glove, a bat, coaches who care and a field to bring those lessons to life, and I want other kids to have the same opportunities.

I have spent most of the summer contacting businesses, asking for donations.  People have been so generous, even in tough economic times.  Also, individuals in the community have come forward to donate time and labor for this cause.  It's been awesome!  Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this effort.

On Saturday, September 10, 2011 we will be doing a Day of Service from 8am to Noon.  We will be removing weeds and cleaning up the fields. We invite anyone who can to join us!  The location is 4835 S. 4300 W.

 In the next few weeks, the reconstruction of the snack shack will begin!  It will be a 12'x12' building and by the time baseball season comes next spring, Les and Gil will have exactly what they deserve, -a place for kids to come and learn to play a great sport and all the life lessons that go with it- all for the love of baseball.

If you would like to make a donation to this cause, please leave your contact information in the comment section below and I will get back to you.

Thank you,
Lincoln



This is what's left of the snack shack after vandals burned it down.

Without revenue from the snack shack, it is very difficult to maintain the fields.

Thanks to the Heroes!

Curtis:  Thank you for drawing the blue prints and supply list for the reconstruction of the Snack Shack.

Kilgore Paving:  Thank you for generously donating road base.

Ready Made Builder Supply:  Thank you for donating the materials for the new Snack Shack!

Les & Gil:  Thank you for your support and kindness.

Home Depot:  Thank you for donating the weed killer and supplies.

Westland 9th Ward & Troop 1728:  Thank you for donating your time, you guys are awesome!

Mom & Dad:  Thank you for being so supportive and so loving.