Miracle League of Alexandria To Participate in Spring 2 ACTion on April 24, 2024
On behalf of the ACT for Alexandria team, we would like to invite you to join Alexandria’s biggest giving day on April 24!
We’re counting down the days to April 24, 2024, and Spring2ACTion. We need your help to make our campaign a success, and we’ve included a few easy ways that you can support us.
Between the Power Hour of 11 a.m. to noon, please donate even $5 to The Miracle League of Alexandria. https://www.givegab.com/nonprofits/the-miracle-league-of-alexandria.
Your donation of any amount will help us reach our goal of not only raising money but raising awareness for our great program.
Share and share alike. Online days of giving are successful because of our own networks. Help us grow our network by sending this email to your network and asking your friends to do the same. Pass out our flyers to neighbors and at least two businesses in Alexandria.
Starting April 10 and ESPECIALLY on April 24, 2024, visit spring2action.org to make a donation to your favorite nonprofit organization—The Miracle League of Alexandria!
All giving will end at 11:59PM on April 24, so make sure to get your gift in on time! OR Scan the QR Code below. 
Miracle League of Alexandria Donates Toys to the ADRPCA Therapeutic Recreation Children for the Holidays
The Miracle League of Alexandria (MLA) donated toys to the participants/Miracle League players of the Therapeutic Recreation Program at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center on December 15, 2023.
The holiday toy’s donation drive was led by Laura Fries, MLA Board Member, who organized and solicited for donations. Overall, the MLA collected enough toys that provided each child with multiple toys each. Following the distribution of the toys the Miracle League hosted a pizza party for them. Special thanks to Laura and husband, Jack, Bill Rivers of the MLA and the awesome TR staff who work with the children for making this special holiday party successful.
Laura stated “I was working with Volunteer Alexandria’s Toys 4 Tots program this holiday season. It occurred to me that nobody does a toy drive for our special needs kids in our community, so, guess what? I decided that on very toy drive. I spoke with Therapeutic Recreation staff and got a wish list, which was pretty modest. I created an easy shopping list on Amazon and with donations we were able to fulfill their wish list”.
Mac Slover, MLA Chair stated “Thanks to Laura for taking on this wonderful holiday project. Laura is incredible as she did a great job getting the toys for the TR children. She created an easy way for people to donate and received a terrific response. We are glad the Miracle League has been able to help with this community project. Our program is not just about playing baseball, but what we can do for the special needs community. Community outreach activities like this is what we’ve done very well with in the past and will continue into the future”.
Below are some pictures from the holiday party.
Emily Milton, MLA Volunteer, ACHS Graduate and Granddaughter of MLA’s Bill Rivers, Is Chosen as one of Alexandria’s 40 Under 40 Award Winners for 2023
The Chamber ALX held its 40 Under 40 awards July 20, celebrating the achievements and community impact of the next generation of Alexandrians, all under the age of 40, for significant accomplishments in their chosen field.
Held at the American Physical Therapy Association Headquarters, the 8th annual event, presented by The Jen Walker Team, recognized the most recent selection of honorees based on professional accomplishments, scholastic achievements, community impact, and personal story. Mayor Justin Wilson was joined by members of City Council, City Manager Jim Parajon and Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker in celebrating the newest honorees. Chamber Chair Nicole McGrew and Micki McNaughton of The Jen Walker Team served as emcees.
Mac Slover, MLA Chair receives Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities Award
The City of Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, presented the 2023 Disability Awareness Awards June 13 at the American Physical Therapy Association headquarters in Potomac Yard.
Honored at the event were Alexandria City High School senior Katherine Radt, Miracle League Board Chair and Volunteer Coordinator Mac Slover, and Cherry Blossom PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Slover was honored with the John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award, which recognizes an individual who advocates for and contributes to the promotion of equal opportunity for people with disabilities in Alexandria.
“It has been a lifelong passion of mine to work with youth and adults with disabilities,” said Slover, who retired in 2018 following a 30-year career as director of sports for the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. “Working with the City of Alexandria gave me that opportunity. But the real heroes are the youth and the adults that I work with every week and the volunteers that come out each week, every year for our Miracle League athletes.”
Miracle League of Alexandria Supports Local Writer From Alexandria
“The Secret of the Legendary Tribe” by John Roache
(Some proceeds go to the MLA)
John Roache is a native Alexandrian who’s played, coached, and had children play in the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Sports Program for many years under the leadership of Mac Slover.
In his book, John has written a middle grade adventure novel for kids 8-12 about disabled children in Alexandria, who go on an adventure in search of a lost Native American artifact that belonged to the Patawmeck tribe of Virginia.
Since the main characters are children with disabilities–two of whom are also members of the Patawomeck tribe–John intends to donate half of any of his proceeds to the Miracle League of Alexandria and to the tribe.
The MLA appreciates John for reaching out to them about his book and supports his efforts to sell it since some of the proceeds will benefit the MLA program and the tribe.
Below is the link to the book. Please support John and the MLA. The story is a great read!
http://www.belleislebooks.com/store/p202/The_Secret_of_the_Legendary_Tribe.html
Milan Rex, ACHS Volleyball State Champion and VA Gatorade Player of the Year, Donates to the Miracle League of Alexandria
May 3, 2023 – by Emily Milton
On Saturday, April 22, ACHS senior Milan Rex was honored for her donation of $1,000 to the Miracle League of Alexandria (MLA).
Rex was chosen as Gatorade Player of the Year, which is an award given to outstanding high school athletes nationwide. With the award, she was able to donate $1,000 to a youth sports organization of her choosing– and she chose The Miracle League. The award comes only weeks after winning the Virginia State Volleyball Championship with her ACHS team.
Volleyball players Rex and Chloe Wilmot and Coach Danielle Thorne pose with the honorary $1000 check. From left to right, Slover, Thorne, Wilmot, and Rex pose with Thorne’s honorary certificate.
The MLA is a non-profit organization begun by community member Bill Rivers and former head of the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities Mac Slover. According to their website, the MLA is a group “comprised of private citizens concerned with supporting recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with special needs.” They specialize in providing youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities with the opportunity to play baseball, where every hit is a home run, and everybody has a good time.
With Rex’s generous donation, Rivers and Slover wanted to recognize her at one of the Miracle League’s games. Rex, teammate and fellow State Championship winner Chloe Wilmot, and ACHS Volleyball coach Danielle Thorne attended the Earth Day game. Instead of playing on their usual site of the Kelley Cares Miracle Field, the game was played indoors at the Nannie J. Lee Recreational Center due to weather conditions.
Both Rex and Thorne received certificates and MLA baseball jerseys, and a ceremonial check for Rex’s donation. In addition, Rex’s name was added on the Kelley Cares Field Memorial Wall. When presenting Thorne’s certificate, Slover highlighted her volunteer work with the recreation department when she was younger, and her recognition as Coach of the Year for 2022. Slover also stated his “hope for the future” because of young people and players like Rex who contribute so much to their community.
After the ceremony, Rex, Thorne, and Wilmot all participated as volunteer “helpers” with the adult members of the League, finishing the day after two innings and joining in on the tradition of singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” at the end. 
Rivers introduces Rex and Coach Thorne to players and their families. With her donation, Rex was also honored with a ceremonial baseball on the memorial wall outside the field. Rex assists fellow ACHS student Tucker Riley in moving to the bases.
Dr. Angela Austin Chosen Again As One of Top Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Angela Austin has been recognized for the 10th time as one of Northern Virginia’s Top Pediatric Dentists. Dr. Austin issued this statement on her selection. “I am honored to be recognized as one of the Top Dentists in Northern Virginia. Being one of many amazing clinicians, I am thankful and know that it always takes a village. To dedicate a lifetime of caring for children is the most amazing life I could have ever dreamed of.
Each and every child that has entered my life has made it so much better. Thank you to every parent, child, caregiver who’s blessed our office with your presence. I’ll always be so grateful for your trust.
Thank you, Northern Virginia Magazine for this sweet recognition.” Dr. Austin is the proud sponsor of a Miracle League Alexandria player attending the National Miracle League All-Star Games each of the past three years. The MLA is proud of Dr. Austin’s recognition.
Miracle League of Alexandria Receives Donation
