Welcome to the Mark Munsell Memorial Foundation’s Summer Newsletter! We hope this finds you happy, healthy and enjoying the start of summer in St. Louis. We would like to bring everyone up to speed on the Foundation’s recent activities and what is coming up for us next!

If you have any questions about the Foundation, our events or just want to become more involved, please email or call Trish at tmunsell@mmmem.com 314-443-5491. Don’t forget to visit our website for all the latest news and developments www.mmmem.com

Kids & Baseball – our favorite combination!
Last summer, the Foundation invited 200 kids from Youth in Need and the St. Charles Boys & Girls Club to attend our annual Day at the Ballpark, which was held on the last regular season game of 2008. These children, along with some of their families, all had a great time at a game they might not otherwise been able to attend. For more information on Youth in Need click here www.youthinneed.org and for more information on the St. Charles Boys & Girls Club click here www.bgcstcharlescounty.org.

Youth in Need family on the field to welcome MMMF!

Golf Tournament Announcement
The annual Muncie Classic Golf Course was held at the Falls in O’Fallon last summer, and was, as always, great fun for all. We were so fortunate to have special celebrity guest & Foundation Friend, Kerry Robinson formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals. Kerry graciously spent the afternoon hitting balls with golfers and signing autographs. Please join us for the next Muncie Classic; Friday, April 30, 2010.

Kerry Robinson & Foundation Friend and Volunteer, Elijah Lawson.

Fun, Music & Wine
Last Fall, the Foundation teamed with our friends, Glorious Blue to visit the Crown Valley Winery. We packed two busses filled with people and took the quick drive down to St. Genevieve, Missouri for a day of wine and music. We all had a great time and enjoyed fabulous weather while raising money for the Foundation.

Foundation Friends celebrating with MMMF President, Trish Munsell (Center)

Muncie Madness
Muncie Madness in February 2009 was a great success! The NCAA bracket competition always brings out some serious wars, off the court! The top three winners split winnings with the Foundation. Congratulations to 2009 Madness 1st place winner Craig Sherman!!

Muncie Hustle Scholarship
The Second Annual Muncie Hustle Scholarship was awarded to Michael Boxell from O'Fallon. This $1,000 scholarship was given to Michael as he was nominated for his dedication to his American Legion team. Michael was recognized for his unwavering efforts on the field and all around great attitude. Each of these attributes is essential for Hustle Scholarship recipients. We are very proud of Michael and hope this scholarship money will helped a little towards books and tuition during his freshman year at Lindenwood University. We wish Michael great success in his college experience.

Sea Scouts
Sea Scouting in America was founded in 1912 by Royal Navy Admiral Warrington Baden-Powell, brother of Boy Scouts founder, Thomas Baden-Powell. Sea Scouting is a coed outdoor program for young people age 14 - 20 years old and their adult advisors. Sea Scouts is a division of the Boy Scouts of America. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Sea Scout Ship 5001 of St. Charles County recently reorganized and was in need. Assisted by 21 adult leaders and parents these 14 boys and girls are out on the rivers of St. Charles County learning how to sail. The Foundation assisted in the donation of two boats (thanks to some Foundation Friends) and a little money to help them get their chapter up and running. We are very proud of the progress these kids are making and the important lessons they learn on the water each week. Nautical skills, like any sport, helps foster confidence, teach management, develop leadership and instill character. Sea Scouts have been active on the Mississippi river for over 70 years and with our help they will continue teaching sailing skills in the future.

Supporting Kids On The Field
This past fall, the Foundation was able to sponsor six boys on the St. Charles Boys and Girls Club football team. These kids had a great time learning the fundamentals of football in practice and then going on to execute those skills on the field all season long. We also sponsored a few individual children in camps with the YMCA and two basketball camps that were school sponsored. With your continued support we hope to send more kids to camps this summer and fall. We believe that kids who participate in these camps can learn team building skills and a sense of community.

Honoring Mark & Helping a Community
In the summer of 2008, storms and flash floods nearly destroyed the Flint Hill baseball fields, used by 220 children on 18 teams. These fields were once home to Mark and his Legion teammates in the early 1990s before the O’Fallon American Legion had their own field and park. The Flint Hill Athletic Association was forced to reschedule its 2008 season on fields in St. Paul and Josephville. The Mark Munsell Memorial Foundation has donated funds to restore & improve the fields and fencing, which has since occurred. In the future, our family plans to erect a monument in Mark’s honor at the refurbished park. To show their appreciation, the Athletic Association is hosting the Mark Munsell Memorial Baseball Tournament for 16 pee wee teams on July 11th at the Flint Hill fields.

 
Flooded Flint Hill Fields

Upcoming Events
We are very pleased to offer the Brew Ha Ha, a summer festival of fun and friends! Event will bring friends together for food, fun and the music of Glorious Blue!!

Date: Saturday, August 15, 8 PM-Midnight
Location: Culver Pavilion in Forest Park, next to the Muny
Price: $40 per person (includes food, entertainment & Open Bar with Anheuser Busch, Schlafly Beers and a selection of wines)
Go to www.mmmem.com or call 314-443-5491 for tickets.

THANK YOU AND SEE YOU IN AUGUST!!!