LT alumnus looking for baseball donations

Lyons Township High School 2011 graduate Thomas Brannen is hoping to spread his love of baseball with the children of Chiriqui, Panama. As a member of the United States Peace Corps, English teacher and leadership/life-skills volunteer, he is helping hundreds of kids with self-esteem and long term goal setting through soccer and basketball leagues, and would like to start a baseball league. In order to fulfill that mission, he is seeking donations of new or gently used baseball equipment.

Brannen says, “Baseball is incredibly popular in Panama, but requires a lot of resources. In my community of Remedios, located in the Chiriqui province of Panama, a lapse in government funding caused the local baseball league to disappear. However, there has been a resurgence of interest with requests from town mayors and government officials to teach kids the fundamentals of baseball and to start up the league again.”

Bats, mitts and balls are the main resources needed. Collection gondolas are available at the front entrance of each Lyons Township High School campus until November 29.

Brannen was part of the 2011 State Championship LT baseball team, and this year’s squad has rallied around the cause, donating equipment and reaching out to former players asking for contributions.

“I believe this could be a great cultural exchange and an awesome opportunity for LTHS baseball and others to make an international impact on the love of the game,” Brannen added.