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Dear Members, Parents, Volunteers, Staff, and Sponsors,
July was a very busy month for renovations throughout the park and summer camps. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we update our lighting infrastructure and upgrade two batting cages at the park. We will continue addressing key areas throughout the park that will provide a better experience when you visit the park.
As the start of the school year approaches, fall sports are in full swing. Currently, registrations are open for baseball, softball, and cheer, but please note that registration for our tackle football season has just closed.
Lastly, you’ll notice signs throughout the park asking for your donations. We have embarked on a $3.5 million capital campaign to bring our park into the 21st century. Any amount is welcome, and we thank you in advance for your support.
Please continue to enjoy your summer, stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you at the park.
Sincerely,
Hazel Williams, Jr.
MARA Board President
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MARA has embarked on a transformative capital campaign aiming to raise $3.5 million to rejuvenate our park. This endeavor is not merely about upgrading facilities; it is a commitment to ensuring MARA meets the needs of our young athletes today and for generations to come.
The projects associated with the Capital Campaign include:
1. Illuminate The Path to Success: Replace Aging Lighting Infrastructure
We will upgrade the lighting infrastructure throughout the park to minimize maintenance and operational costs while enhancing accessibility to the park during evening hours.
Project details: Replace outdated lights and aging poles, install new lights and poles in currently unlit fields, upgrade electrical panels, and transition all lights to energy-efficient LED fixtures to save on costs.
2. Revitalize Fields, Ignite Potential: Improve Fields and Pathways
Our play fields need revitalization. We will upgrade and maintain our fields to the highest standards, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for our athletes. This includes improving drainage to create more favorable field conditions after rainfall. We will make pathways more accessible, fostering inclusivity and creating a welcoming space for all.
Project Details: Enhance drainage systems, upgrade select fields with artificial turf, and improve pathways throughout the park, notably those leading to the T-ball fields and from the main parking lot to field 10. Additionally, PF2 will be transformed into a regulation-size football field.
3. Build Dreams, One Swing at a Time: Indoor Batting Facility
Imagine a brand new indoor batting facility where MARA athletes can refine their skills, regardless of weather conditions. Indoor batting cages will provide our athletes with year-round training opportunities and a chance to develop the confidence and discipline necessary for success both on and off the field.
Project details: Build a facility for indoor batting cages.
We are looking for volunteers with capital campaign or fundraising experience to join our team. If you are interested, please email Lauren Benjamin at lauren@marasports.net.
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Phase One of the lighting project is underway at the park.
New poles and LED lights have been installed on Field One, and the crew is currently working on installing poles and lights on Fields 9 and 10.
To keep everyone safe, these fields will be closed until the improvements are completed.
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Fields 4, 9, and 12 are getting a few updates this summer!
We will be adding infield dirt and grading our fields which will level the playing surface and promote proper drainage.
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We are extremely excited to report that the batting cage renovations on Field 10 and Field 1 are underway and should be ready to use for fall!
Thank you to all of our players and families' efforts during our Spring Hit-A-Thon!
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Elevation Love Week '24
Monday, July 29
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Elevation Love Week '24 day at MARA was a HUGE success (even with all the rain)!
Our friends at Elevation Church along with our MARA families and players came to the park on Monday, September 29 to help build two Gaga Pits and spread mulch.
Thank you to everyone who gave their time and supplies to help keep MARA beautiful and fun!
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Dick's Exclusive Shop Weekend
Friday, August 16 - Sunday, August 18
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Please share the coupon with your family, friends, colleagues, and teammates. The more the coupon is redeemed, the more DSG will support MARA!
Click here to download the coupon.
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School Supply Drive
Monday, July 29 - Wednesday, August 14
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Justin Evans, our MARA Storm Track Coach, is hosting his Annual School Supply Drive from July 29 - August 14 at Charlotte Christian Athletic Office.
If you have questions or would like to donate, email Justin at impactspeedtraining@gmail.com.
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Join us for our last Spirit Night this season with the Charlotte Knights! | |
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Charlotte Knights vs. Memphis Redbirds
Saturday, August 17, 6:05pm
Truist Field, 324 South Mint St.
Section 102, Tickets $25 each
To purchase tickets, click here.
We hope to see you at the park and don't forget to wear your MARA gear!
*Remember if you purchase your tickets with the link above, the Charlotte Knights will give MARA back a portion of each ticket!
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Fall Swag Bag Stuffing
Saturday, August 31, 9am
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Thank you to our gracious sponsors for once again donating swag! On Saturday, August 31, beginning at 9am, we will be stuffing swag bags for our fall players and we would love your help! Please remember this is a great opportunity to gain sesrvice hours!
If you are interested in volunteering your time to help, click here to sign up!
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Pleasant Plains Beautification Day
Saturday, September 7, Times TBD
Pleasant Plains Baptist Church Baseball Field
If you are interested in being a project leader or volunteer your time, please email Lauren Benjamin at lauren@marasports.net.
More details to come...
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Fall Opening Day
Saturday, September 14
More details to come...
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Upcoming Fall Baseball Dates: | |
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Baseball Hit Night is FREE but please make sure to sign up so DBat knows you are coming.
Click here to sign up!
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For more details and to register for tryouts, click here. | |
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July 15-18 we hosted our very first instructional cheerleading camp for our 5-8 year old cheerleaders! Seven girls attended and we focused on expanding their skills in jumping, tumbling, stunting, and performing. At the end of the camp, the girls performed a showcase to demonstrate their progress and new skills.
A very special (and HUGE) thank you to Pleasant Plains Baptist Church for letting us use their indoor gym.
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Click here for more details and to sign up.
**Late registration ends on August 15.**
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As registration for MARA Colts Tackle Football is wrapping up, we are gearing up for some exciting events in the fall:
- Jamboree will take place at MARA on Saturday, August 17
- Games start on Saturday, August 24
- MARA Colts Football and Cheer Golf Ball Drop Fundraiser, Sunday, October 6 (more details to come)
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Custom Mouth Guards w/ S/P Orthodontics | |
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If you are interested in getting a custom mouth guard, it is not too late.
A few things to note:
- First mouth guard is $15
- Additional guards are $20 each
- If your player has braces, S/P will provide a standard non custom mouthguard.
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Payment for mouth guard(s) will be due at time of pick up or you can prepay online by clicking here.
- If your player needs an additional mouth guard throughout the season, S/P Orthodontics will be able to create a new one for you in a matter of a few days.
Give S/P Orthodontics a call at (704) 594-7171 to set up a free consultation for your mold.
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Our 8U Flex softball team the MARA Mustangs participated in the Top Gun Summer World Series the end of July and placed third overall.
While the tournament was full of ups and downs, we could not be more proud of our players. Their hard work, team spirit, and dedication make them champions in our books!
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Upcoming Fall Softball Dates: | |
For more details and to register, click here. | |
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Softball Hit Night is FREE but please make sure to sign up so DBat knows you are coming.
Click here to sign up!
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Charlotte Knights/Sunbelt Rentals Little Knights Field Renovation Grant | |
Thank you to the Charlotte Knights and Sunbelt Rentals for awarding us the Little Knights Field Renovation Grant, and most importantly, providing our athletes a fun and memorable experience! | |
Matthews Chamber of Commerce
After Hours Event
Thursday, September 18, 5pm
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The Matthews Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with Pentagon Group Insurance for their September Business After Hours event on Thursday, September 18 at Moo & Brew Matthews.
Join us for live music by Firebyrd, food & drink, and a raffle! Raffle items will be donated by local businesses with all proceeds going to support MARA. If you are business owner and would like to donate to our raffle, please email dana@marasports.net.
If you would like to attend the event, click here to register!
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MARA Digital Sponsor Directory | |
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Do you need a plumber, an orthodontist, a realtor, a facial or a scoop of ice cream? Don't stress. We have all of your needs covered in one spot - our 2024 MARA Digital Sponsor Directory!
Click here to access our sponsor directory complete with their phone numbers and direct links to their website.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors!
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Refer a New Sponsor - Get a Banner! | |
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Are you a current sponsor and would like to have an additional banner for no additional cost?
Refer a new sponsor and when they sign up for a sponsorship, we will hang additional banner for your business at the park!
Please emails all referrals to Dana Bouque at dana@marasports.net.
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Are you looking for an additional opportunity to advertise your business? Our new banner wall located at Field 1 will give your business more visibility to our members and to the Matthews community. With different sizes and price points available, if you are interested, please contact Dana at (704) 491-6857 or at dana@marasports.net.
Thank you to Tony Huezo with Dimension Building Specialists for constructing our new banner wall.
If you are in need of his services and expertise, click here.
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Interested in sponsoring at MARA? | |
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Do you own a local business in the Matthews area and want to advertise with MARA? Are you interested in sponsoring your player's team or displaying your business' logo around the park?
To learn more about partnering with MARA, please contact Dana Bouque at (704) 491-6857 or dana@marasports.net.
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2400 Crownpoint Exec. Dr., Suite 500, Charlotte, NC
704) 846-8660
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15720 Brixham Hill Ave., Suite 400, Charlotte, NC
(704) 604-2423
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11710 Buckstone Lane, Charlotte, NC
(704) 940-0777
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9305 Monroe Rd., Unit G, Charlotte
(704) 842-9508
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615 South College St., Charlotte, NC
(980) 287-2920
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100 W. John St. E., Matthews, NC
(800) 359-5767
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4209 D Stuart Andrew Blvd., Charlotte, NC
(704) 659-6985
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Dr. Alexis McRae, MD
300 E. John St., Suite 118, Matthews, NC
(704) 635-1229
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Cantina Louie Matthews
2225 Matthews Township Pkwy, C
(980) 339-3007
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Smooth Summer Savings
From August 5 - 23, CEENTA will be offering 10% off all our medical-grade skincare products. From moisturizers to quality sunscreen to exfoliators and more, see how smooth your skin can be.
Click here to learn more about our products.
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BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH: Aug. 25, 3-5 pm for Kids & 5-7 pm for Youth. $15 per child or Max $50 (Family of 4+ kids). Inflatables, Food Trucks, Games & More. Purchase dinner from Food Trucks!
FAMILY Worship August 11 at 9:30 am in the Gym, Fall Sunday Morning SMALL Groups, BACKPACK Blessings & More Fun Family Events at MatthewsUMC.org.
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Do you have something you would like add to our MARA Monthly Newsletter? Would you like to showcase your teams' accomplishments or promote an upcoming MARA event?
Please email Dana Bouque at dana@marasports.net with your newsletter additions and pictures before August 25.
We are happy spread your good news!
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