By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

When Suzanne Posey approached Scarborough Little League in 2008 with the idea of recycling used baseball equipment back into the community and abroad, they embraced it. 

Now, nearly two and one-half years after the Scarborough Little League Equipment Recycling Program first began, the organization has donated more than 700 pounds of used baseball equipment to the Dominican Republic and Cuba. And, according to Posey, much more is yet to come.  

“I’m really excited, the response has been great and I’d love to grow with other businesses in the community, especially the Builders Club,” said Posey. The club, which is composed of students from Scarborough Middle School, volunteers to help throughout the year with various community service projects.

Last year Posey collected 400 pounds of equipment through the program to donate to a summer camp in Cuba with the help of a missionary service in Florida called Honoring The Father. The camp, which was originally supposed to attract 1,000 attendees, ended up nearly tripling in size, with a final total of 2,500 participants. 

Thanks to Posey’s contributions, everyone had a smile on their face.

“Scarborough is a huge sports community and just to know that we’re touching the lives of kids who love baseball as much as our kids is really special,” Posey said.

Posey said children in impoverished countries such as the Dominican Republic and Cuba often play with nothing more than rocks, sticks and leaves padded to their hands to simulate the game as much as they can.

“These kids hear about baseball all the time. For a community that doesn’t have much, this is our opportunity to give a little, but help a lot,” Posey said.

The first year Posey began the program she was uncertain if the equipment would actually make the trip overseas, knowing full well the package could be intercepted upon arrival before reaching its intended recipient. Fortunately for Posey, she was able to work with a former Blue Jays training coach who works with Maine Hits, a training facility in Scarborough, to assist in the delivery to the Dominican Republic. Once the package landed she received a letter thanking her and the league for their generosity. 

This year Posey is working with Safe Passage, a nonprofit group based in Yarmouth, to bring the refurbished baseball equipment to Guatemala City.

Safe Passage was founded in 1999 by Hanley Denning, who helped the organization provide educational and social services to children throughout the area until her death in 2007. Posey said Denning served as an incredible inspiration to her in starting the recycling program and she’s extremely grateful to work with the organization.

Posey said the National Little League Association, of which Scarborough is a part, encourages community awareness. 

Chris Dumais, vice president of the league, said the recycling program has been a “great growing and social experience for everyone involved.” 

“Many kids in these countries don’t have access to the proper equipment to play these sports safely. When I first heard about the program I thought it was a fantastic idea and a great opportunity for the kids.”

Posey said that the children involved in the league have been more than willing to help out by cleaning and refurbishing donated goods. 

“This program has meant as much to them as it has to anyone else,” Posey said.

The Scarborough Little League Equipment Recycling Program will collect equipment at Hannaford in Scarborough Sept. 20 to Oct. 3. For more information on the recycling program or to donate directly, visit the Little League website, www.ScarboroughLL.com.

Staff Writer Dan Aceto can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.