5/6/08

Three Coastal Bend organizations are partnering to make sure South Texas’ baseball tradition includes opportunities to round the bases for everyone, including children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. The Miracle League of Corpus Christi, Whataburger Restaurants and the Corpus Christi Hooks are raising funds to build a Miracle Field, a specially equipped field with cushioned synthetic turf to help prevent injuries, enable wheelchair use and wheelchair accessible dugouts.

The Miracle League of Corpus Christi has been raising money for the project since October of 2006. On Saturday, May 10, the league will get a boost from all Whataburger restaurants in the Coastal Bend area with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast fundraiser. The hometown burger chain hopes to raise at least $15,000 through ticket sales to benefit the construction of the Miracle League’s field as well as raise awareness on the effort.

“The Miracle League field will benefit thousands of special needs children and adults in our community,” said Brian Devaney, Miracle League of Corpus Christi board member. “The field will give families the opportunity to cheer their favorite players on as they round the bases. It also provides a momentary respite from the battles they face every day.”

Construction on the field, located off Airport Road across from the Gabe Lozano Golf Course, will begin after about $650,000 is raised to cover building costs. The project’s main feature is a field of cushioned, rubberized turf with wheelchair accessible dugouts, making hitting a home run possible for everyone.

"The Miracle League field project in Corpus Christi is important to our entire community. The Hooks and Ryan-Sanders Baseball are excited about and proud of Whataburger's commitment,” said JJ Gottsch, President of the Corpus Christi Hooks. “Once again, our friends and partners have stepped up to the plate and made a positive difference for others throughout the city and region."

Tickets are $3 and available at the Corpus Christi Hooks’ box office at Whataburger Field and through other organizations in the area. Tickets must be purchased in advance of May 10Th. Whataburger locations in Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass, Beeville, Cuero, Edna, Falfurrias, Goliad, Ingleside, Kingsville, Portland, Port Aransas, Port Lavaca, Refugio, Robstown, Rockport, Sinton and Victoria will all giveaway pancakes to ticket holders during the breakfast.

Whataburger’s commitment to family and youth-centered organizations started when Whataburger’s founder, Harmon Dobson, and his wife sponsored Little League teams in the 1950s. Continuing this community partnership, Whataburger supports other baseball-related programs such as Whataburger Field and college baseball programs around the country.

“Whataburger wouldn’t be what it is today without the generous support Corpus Christi has shown us over the years,” said Cyndi Salinas, Director of Operations for Whataburger Restaurants, LP. “In the same way we support our hometown, our customers are always there for us. The Miracle League and Field will provide a first-class venue for the Coastal Bend’s mentally and physically challenged adults and children to play a game so many of us take for granted. We know the citizens of Corpus Christi are ready to help us raise money for the field’s construction.”

About The Miracle League
Started in 1998, the Miracle League has grown to 200 organizations across the country, including Puerto Rico. The non-profit organization has provided thousands of children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. The Corpus Christi chapter was formed in October of 2006 and is currently raising funds to build a specially designed field in Corpus Christi.

About Whataburger
Family-owned Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers since 1950, when company founder Harmon Dobson opened his first Whataburger restaurant. Still headquartered in its hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, the company is committed to community partnerships and supports many local causes important to its customers in communities across 10 states.