More than 30k of athletic apparel to be passed out to Maui athletes
Dec 27, 2024
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Baseball and softball players on Maui are about to get a makeover all thanks to an organization called Perfect Game and a Maui baseball champion who has been in their shoes.
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Perfect Game, the world's largest youth baseball and softball platform, two-time World Series Champion and Maui's own Shane Victorino and non-profit organization Mana Mentors are teaming up to pass out 30,000 pieces of boys and girls athletic apparel.
"It always means a lot to give back to the community, especially here on Maui," said Victorino.
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"It's such a great blessing. When we first heard about it and heard the amount, we were initially very overwhelmed because that was a lot. And we're like, Oh, wow. What are we gonna do with it," Cammie Shiffler of Mana Mentors said.
The initial plan was to donate the gear to Lahainaluna baseball and softball teams and the West Maui Little League.
When the shipment from Perfect Game arrived, Shiffler realized there was enough to give to every baseball and softball team on the entire island.
"T-shirts, leggings, hats, sweaters, different long sleeves, baseball under warmers, kind of thing, pretty much everything to outfit a baseball player when they're not on the field," Shiffler added.
For Victorino, who suited up for St. Anthony School in Wailuku, teaming up with Perfect Game is a perfect fit with his own foundation.
"Something that gives back to the community, especially my community, means a lot to me. As I said, the progression of this hopefully will lead to something bigger that my foundation and I are working on."
The donation event will take place at Napili Park in Lahaina, a place that will become Maui's field of dreams.
"Especially since after the fire, they couldn't go to the field, they couldn't really get together as a team. So all these events that the community organizers put together just bring them closer to the feeling of being whole again and being at home," said Shiffler.
For Shane, who's also working to improve Muai's playing fields, Saturday's event is just a continuation of his desire to support the place he will always call home.
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"The baseball player and human that I am was all rooted in that part of Maui. So to be able to give back this Saturday means a lot," said Victorino.
Starting at 10 a.m., Shane will be there and the timing is perfect as the little league season is about to begin.