General Information Abouth The NMML

The North Metro Miracle League (NMML) was formed in December of 2001 and was incorporated as an IRS 501C3 in February of 2002. Since that time we have been developing adapted sports programs and a variety of inclusive social activities. We also completed four phases of the North Park Adapted Sports Complex. Please visit our web site www.nmml.net.

The sports complex includes a barrier free sports field, a wheelchair accessible playground, a 40 by 60 covered picnic pavilion and the recently completed Family Center. The Family Center includes restrooms, concession area, meeting and office space and the privacy suite, a combination restroom/first aid area where people with and without disabilities can deal with issues best handled in a private setting.
While we were designing each element of the adapted sports complex we were determined to take accessibility and universal design to the next level, and we did.

The NMML offers spring and fall adapted softball programs. We currently have 20 teams, 3 levels of competition and our players range in age from 4 to 78. Much of the leagues success can be attributed to the work of the 18 Special Education and Adapted P.E. teachers that act as coaches and advisors.

Each of the NMML players has an on field Buddy to assist with the things the player’s disability makes difficult or impossible. The resulting interaction between buddy and player is an essential part of our mission. We want to remove the barriers to inclusion, accommodation and friendship that often arise just because a person has a disability. Over the last three years more than 1500 volunteers, from a pool of over 3000, have shared the “gift of time” with a NMML player. These volunteers come from corporations, civic organizations, area high schools, faith based institutions and typical youth sports programs.

This winter (2006) we introduced adapted bowling for NMML children, their siblings and friends. Bowling has been a huge success and will be an ongoing summer and winter program. In 2006 we also introduced a summer fitness day camp facilitated by Special Education / Adapted P.E. teachers/ We also introduced Family Camping retreats at a totally new and accessible camp facility on Lake Oconee. There were 6 sessions in 2006 and there 2ill be 8 sessions in 2007.

In the fall of 2007 we will introduce afterschool fitness programs in jonjunction with the Ed Isakson YMCA. these sessions will supplement the recently reducee state funded physical therapy programs for children and young adults. The state funded program went from eight sesions a month to two sessions a month.

In January of 2002 the NMML was just a dream. Now it is a living breathing reality. Plain old hard work and lots of media coverage (NBC Today Show) have led to ever increasing public awareness and financial support. The following is a list of our major benefactors:

Gant Feed and Seed Store $200 (Our First Donation)
Community Development Block Grant $365,000
Northside Hospital $215,000
2005 Carl Black No Limits Golf Classic $106,000
North Fulton Rotary Club $85,000
The Bank of North Georgia $52,000
Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities $35,000
Dubble Bubble $25,000
Sawnee EMC $22,000
Serra Family Foundation $20,000
The Porter Foundation $20,000
Georgia Power $15,000
The Walker-Geib Foundation $13,000
Northview High School $11,800
Atlanta Braves Foundation $10,000
Certegy Inc. $10,000
Mary Louise Brown Foundation $10,000

In May of 2003, and 2004, local community leaders organized area wide Baseball/Softball tournaments for “typical” boys and girls leagues. This was a wonderful example of “Kids Helping Kids” and over the 2 year period the tournaments generated more than $230,000.

On May 2, 2005 White Columns Country Club hosted the First Annual Carl Black No Limits Golf Classic benefiting the NMML. The purpose of the tournament was to raise funds needed to complete the (now complete) Family Center. The 2006 Classic is scheduled for May 8th and those funds will allow us to expand and enhance the entire NMML program.

The NMML is an all volunteer organization. There are no salaries or expense accounts. Yet this organization, inspired by the idea that every person has value, every person deserves to be acknowledged, honored and included, has been able to build a $2,000,000 adapted sports complex that serves the entire community including over 300 families that have at least one child with a disability.

In December of 2005 the National League of Cities honored the NMML organizers by presenting them with the Howland Award Gold Medal. This award is given to organizations that develop innovative programs that enrich the entire community.