Date: February 2025
THE MIRACLE LEAGUE SUPPLIES BRIAN’S SENSORY BAGS THROUGHOUT THE CITY
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA: The Miracle League of Alexandria (MLA), a 501c3 non-profit that supports recreational sports and opportunities for individuals with special needs, in collaboration with the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities – Therapeutic Recreation Program (TR), will be delivering 15 sensory bags to recreation centers and after school programs within the city.
The Sensory Bags were named Brian’s Sensory Bags, in memory of Brian Schutzius (son of Laura and Jack Fries).
The sensory bags, supplied by the MLA with input and support of ACPS Special needs instructors and TR include items such as therapy putty, nonverbal communication cards, fidget toys and calming sensory items.
“As part of the Miracle League of Alexandria’s Community Outreach Program, we are very proud to collaborate with the Recreation Department staff by providing each recreation center and afterschool program with a collection of hand-picked items that can be used to stimulate or soothe a child in distress,” said Mac Slover, chair of the Miracle League of Alexandria.
Distribution locations include the recreation centers at Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Chinquapin Park, Leonard “Chick” Armstrong, Durant Center, Buddie Ford Nature Center, Nannie J. Lee, Mount Vernon, Patrick Henry, and William Ramsay. The sensory bags will also be delivered to four afterschool programs at John Adams, Douglas MacArthur, Ferdinand T. Day, and Frances Hammond.
Recently, the MLA worked with the city to upgrade the Sensory Room at the Nannie J. Lee Center and is currently working with the city to get the Mobile Sensory Unit running for visits and field trips. The MLA donated a $3,500 lighted tunnel for the sensory room at George Mason Elementary School and until sensory rooms and calming measures are available at all city schools and rec centers, these sensory bags can fill that gap, said Slover.
“These bags provide practical resources to help anyone with special needs as well as a calming alternative for typical kids needing diversion or redirection.”
The MLA, comprised of private citizens concerned with supporting recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with special needs, holds spring and fall baseball leagues at the Miracle Field of Alexandria, a special rubberized surface that allows for full inclusion. Alexandria is currently the only city regionally that has one of these inclusive fields, located adjacent to the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center. While reserved for special needs, it is open to anyone for use through the city’s recreation department. The MLA recently concluded two successful spring and fall seasons of MLA baseball and offers field trip games with special education students from the Alexandria City Public Schools.
More information, including a full schedule of events, volunteer opportunities, and how to donate, can be found on this site.
