ImageAny child growing up who has participated in an organized team sport know the benefits, comradery, and life skills developed from their participation and more often than not they are better off from what the have learned. Any child with special needs of any sort may not always have the opportunity to participate in organized team sports because of their disabilities which contributes to one more obstacle that holds them back from properly developing as other normal children. do. Thanks to people like Donna Patterson (seen in the picture to the left) and organizations like her Tri Cities Little League Challenger Program, special needs children are given that opportunity and ability to develop skills like normal children do.

The Tri Cities Little League was established in 1953 but when the need was realized it wasn't until 2009 when the Challenger Program was put into place. Since it's inception it has given a large number of local special needs children the opportunity to participate and acquire that life skills that are developed when playing an organized team sport. The program is completely run by volunteers which include "buddies" for the individual players who are constantly assisting these children on and off the field. Through generous sponsorship from many great local companies they are able to provide the Challenger program FREE to those who with interest. This year's team was lucky enough to be selected to participate in the Little League World Series in Pennsylvanian. For more information about the Tri Cities Little League Challenger Program visit their site here.