With donations to the recent American Cancer Society 10-mile run in Chicago, the Lincoln-Way Prospects travel baseball team has concluded a long, sustained effort since the fall for the 2010 community service and character initiatives which make up a large part of the philosophy for the organization – proven on and off the field of play in character, academics and the game of baseball itself.

As shown in the photo, the Prospects organization reached out to other travel baseball teams, and helped make a difference, with the largest annual effort aiding Children’s Memorial Hospital.  In January, Coach Korbel asked others teams to join them in the 13th Annual Kohl’s Step-Up for kids, whereas donations were raised.  Parents, relatives, friends and players then climbed the 80 floors of over 1,670 stairs at the AON building downtown. The Mokena Blaze 10U team and families coached by Scott Fulkerson accompanied Coach Steve Korbel and the Prospects organization on a train trip to downtown Chicago, where the teams submitted nearly $4,000 in collections for the Children’s Memorial Foundation.  The IL Raiders and Coach Gerson also collected but could not make the trip.  Team Lincoln-Way Prospects and Friends had the largest assembled youth team in all Chicagoland present for the Step-Up climb, which hosted over 3,000 climbers for the event.

“It is important to note that our catalyst for our early Step-Up charity work and collections was Jeff McDonald and his family, of New Lenox.  Jeff has a gift and genuine passion for projects, and I had the pleasure to coach his son in recreational baseball, and learned of the many reasons this year why our efforts for Children’s Memorial were embraced by Jeff and his family.  Without him, we could not have reached our team goal, and for personal reasons, my own goal for this particular effort because it benefits children’s oncology, too,” spoke Coach Korbel.

Also, in December, the team along with the help from local grade schools the players attend, collected and donated nearly 2,900 gifts to the hospital that included a pilgrimage to Chicago with the Illinois Raiders, coached by Jeff Gerson in Plainfield.

Other team efforts have helped different organizations, including monetary support for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.  The Prospects organization believe that this stewardship of its young players will reward their leadership and citizenship skills for many years to come.  Each player is also required to complete the seven rungs of the Character Nation leadership and reputation program, which caters to academic athletes.

Photo by:  Laurie Fulkerson

Story by:  Staff Reporter

PHOTO INFO:  Members of the 10U Mokena Blaze and 9U/10U Lincoln-Way Prospects