A true calling. (Cover Story).

Tim Wakefield is a professional baseball player. As a right-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he was among the league leaders during the 2002 season with an ERA (Earned Run Average) of 2.81 and a .204 BAA (Batting Average Against) that placed him second in the American League. Tim earns millions of dollars a year doing something that he loves--but ask him what his real passion is, what it is that truly brings him joy, and he won't talk about baseball.

Over the past nine years, the Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf Classic and Auction has raised a total of nearly $2 million for the Space Coast Early Intervention Center in Tim's hometown of Melbourne, Florida. The work that he has done to help these children with special needs is what he considers one of the greatest achievements of his life so far. As he explains, "It doesn't matter how many cars you have, how much money, a big house--it matters if you make a difference in the life of a child--that shows your character, your personality. We can all be selfish at times, but it's amazing to be able to make a difference in someone's life."

When ,Tim was playing baseball in the minor leagues, a coach told him to "never forget where you came from"--and he hasn't. Growing up in Melbourne, Tim played football, tennis, baseball and surfed. While he was in college at Florida Tech, a family friend introduced him to a school that three families had started for their own children with Down syndrome. At the time, it was in a small, unused church building. Tim took an immediate interest in helping to develop the school and promised that if he ever made it to "the big leagues" he would do what he could to help the center meet it's annual budget. In 1992 Tim held true to his promise. The first annual tournament raised almost $40,000 and--as he did for several years following--Tim matched that amount from his own pocket.

The Space Coast Early Intervention Center (SCEIC) is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit pre-school and therapeutic center that offers care and maximizes the development of both children with special needs and typically developing children. SCEIC depends solely on grants, fund-raising and donations to support the cost of operating the center. Over the years, the school has provided services and support for families and children with Down syndrome, William's syndrome, Rett syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, P-4 deletion syndrome, PDD and Apert syndrome as well as children with visual, speech and hearing delays. SCEIC is a model of community collaborative effort. Through their inclusive programs, family support and parent education and training for professionals, they affect what happens for their students in the present and future. Through their student educators and nurses, they are helping to mold tomorrow's educators and parents.

Sally Shinn, Executive Director for SCEIC, is fully aware of the impact that Wakefield has had on the school--and on the children. As she explains, "Tim has lent his insight to help us toward a stable path though these current difficult financial times." Having Wakefield as a benefactor has expanded the school's annual budget to almost one million dollars--a sum that certainly aides in caring for the more than 500 children that have attended the school and the many more waiting to enroll.

It is the personal impact that Wakefield has on the students, however, that Shinn seems the most impressed by. "When Tim comes to visit the school, I am always drawn to what a great touch he has with these children ... He is undaunted by even the most severely impaired and their individual needs. He makes a huge impression on the children. They know him by name and reach up to be scooped into his arms. He remembers them--knows their names--remarks on their growth."

The Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf Classic and Auction has brought names such as Andre Agassi, Tim Allen, Michael Jordan, Dan Marino, Shaquille O'Neil and Derrick Jeter to the school over the years. The Thursday and Friday before the Saturday tournament provide the celebrities with the opportunity to visit the children and, as Tim explains, "see where the money goes." The children go to the golf course and each celebrity is provided with a team captain. The students at SCEIC truly enjoy the event. Shinn recalls one sixth-grade girl who listed the tournament as one of her favorite events of the year in a report on holiday events in her community.

Wakefield recruits the participants by sending invitations and relying on word of mouth in the community--which has been very positive. Celebrities have been telling each other to attend over the years, referring to it as a first-class event and a "great time." The popularity has reached such a point that they have now been forced to monitor the invites.

Sports stars and celebrities often get involved with fundraising and charities. It's recommended to them by their representatives and management. Philanthropy makes them look good in the public eye. Giving back to those in need shows their humanitarian side. But there are those who genuinely believe in their cause and put their hearts into the work that they do for it. Tim Wakefield is born from this brand of stardom and he genuinely feels that the celebrities who take part in his event are not doing it merely for the recognition. As he explains, "A lot of athletes do it on the quiet side--they aren't the selfish people that people make them out to be."

Tim frequently visits the children at the Space Coast Early Intervention Center. A permanent resident of Melbourne, Florida, he takes advantage of his proximity because, more than anything, he is grateful to the center and to the children whose lives he has become a part of. He feels fortunate to have been able to compete at the major league level and give back; he feels that it "humbles" him.

When you sit down with Wakefield you understand all of this. In his words and in the smile that comes across his face as he thinks of the times that he has spent with the children, you realize how greatly important they are to him. As a young man with the hopes of one day playing major league baseball, Wakefield made a promise to help kids with special needs receive the care and opportunities that they deserve. In 1992 his talents and determination earned him a spot playing for a professional ball club, but it was the children of SCEIC who made it worthwhile. "So many people are afraid to help, but the love I get from these kids is unconditional," he explains. "I thank them for what they do. It's not easy--but it's rewarding."

Baseball season is an unhappy time for the SCEIC. They miss seeing their friend as the Boston Red Sox require Wake field's services from the months of April through October. Tim does have options, however. Sally Shinn feels pretty confident in his abilities, referring to him as "exactly the role model we need to lead the way to embracing those with special needs, believing in what they can accomplish and then DOING something about it!" She is always sad when he leaves the area to return to his profession--as she clearly feels that his true calling may be something other than base ball. "I have been a teacher trainer for 20 years and I know a 'natural' when I see one," she explains. "He will always have a job here waiting!"

You never know Sally ... we'll see how the season goes.

For more information on SCEIC or the Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf Tournament contact: Space Coast Early Intervention Center 3661 S. Babcock Street, Suite D, Melbourne, FL 32901 [phone] * [e-mail]