Father's Day Funfest Nets $10,000 for Acton's Miracle League Field

Steven Kourepenos’ 20th birthday was this past Sunday. Home for the summer, the college student didn’t sleep until noon or hang out with friends at the beach. Instead, he was at NARA Park running his first 5K and raising money for a cause that’s near to his heart.

Steven’s sister, Rebecca, 15, has been playing Miracle League baseball with other special needs athletes for the last four years. The group, who had been using a field at Blanchard School in Boxborough that was neither ideal for wheelchair baserunning nor available for a full day, is looking forward to their new space at NARA Park.

Local Miracle League devotee Lauren Richardt and her husband, Andy, who started the local chapter together, have been spearheading  They’ve been coordinating the fundraising and the work at the site.

Space at NARA Park—donated by the town of Acton in a unanimous Town Meeting vote-- has been cleared at no cost to Miracle League thanks to the J. Redman Corporation .

 “You can see where the baseball diamond is going to be,” said Lauren of Massachusetts’ first Miracle League field. “It’s all coming together. It’s fantastic.”

“We’ll be playing there in the fall,” she predicted.

Lauren looks forward to increasing the number of children who can play.

In addition to the 107 children up to age 18 who are currently on the rosters, the Richardts want to include players up to age 22. “Ultimately, we’ll have an adult league,” Lauren said. “And we’ll broaden it to other towns.”

Last Sunday’s Father’s Day Funfest was preceded by other money-raising events including a fall casino night and

Several months ago, the fundraising efforts received a boost when the , up to $100,000.

Before last weekend’s Funfest and 5K, Miracle League supporters had secured $345,000 of the $425,000 needed to complete the project. The fundraiser brought in $10,000; when it is matched, the shortfall will drop to $60,000.

With $27,000 in remaining matching grant money available, Miracle League needs to raise only $33,000 more to meet its goal.

Steven, who has seen the Miracle League in action in his role as a volunteer  ”buddy,“ was happy to be part of the fundraising success.

“Rebecca just loves it,” he said. “She doesn’t get the opportunity to play like the rest of us do. She can interact with friends and have a great time. All the kids deserve a field that fits their needs.”

Rebecca and Steven’s mom, Elaina Kourepenos, is full of praise for the Richardts. “Lauren and Andy are amazing,” she said. They’ve done so much for the league the past four years.”

Want Acton’s Miracle League athletes to get their field? Here are two ways you can help make it happen:

Make a straight donation (which will be matched!) via the link on the Miracle League of Massachusetts website.

Buy a Brick (before July 15, 2012.) For $100 contributions, patrons may buy Standard (4” x 8”) bricks that include up to 3 lines of print. For $200 donations, Slugger (8” x 8”) bricks that include up to 5 lines of print are available. All bricks will be permanently displayed behind home plate at the new Miracle League field.