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Another Achievers Opening Day Success

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: January 17, 2009

HUDSON - Entering its ninth year serving handicapped and challenged individuals throughout West Pasco and surrounding areas, the Achievers of America launched another successful softball season Wednesday afternoon at Hudson's Veterans Memorial Park.

The opening day for the Achievers took place a week late because rain washed out last Wednesday's game, but about 20 athletes and numerous other volunteers and supporters participated in the first of 27 weekly events.

A clear azure sky and bright sunshiny day mirrored the confident, smiling faces and congratulatory high fives visible from the infield to the stands.

"It was a really good opening day," the Achievers' founder, Steve Biondo, said afterward. "Everyone was having a great time."

Biondo, who founded the nonprofit organization in his native New York in 1998, said that the events are not to simply get these challenged residents outside and active.

"It's not so much the softball game itself," he said. "It teaches these people self-esteem. They get to socialize and some really come out of their shells so they are not intimidated by doing it anymore."

New players and volunteers are welcome to participate at anytime. Biondo said the Florida group has continued to expand this year. Special education schools and related agencies from as far as Springstead to the north, Land O' Lakes to the east and Palm Harbor to the south, have come to take part, he said.

Volunteers are present on the field during game time to assist in fielding or running the base paths, but the players themselves are the ones taking care of the rest. There is even some competitive fire being put on display.

Beyond softball, the Achievers operate a successful bowling league during the warmer days of summer and autumn months. Biondo said he his looking to expand both throughout the region and possibly beyond.

One potential opportunity being discussed is working in a partnership with Best Buddies, another nonprofit outfit that strives to enhance the lives of intellectually disabled people. Best Buddies is coming on 20 years of service and has a nationwide and global reach. As of right now Biondo said he is just happy the group is taking the Achievers into consideration.

Biondo and his partners are also hoping to soon erect a three-building complex on Hicks Road near Veterans Memorial Park that will serve as the Pasco County Achievers of America Center. With the assistance of Terri Conroy, who ran for the District 3 county commissioner's seat this past fall, Florida State Rep. Peter Nehr and State Sen. Mike Fasano, the Achievers have been trying since 2006 to attain a $2.3 million government grant to help buy the parcel of land and construct the desired complex.

Biondo is interested in yet another facility to house a sort of Achievers Workshop. It would employ roughly 150 challenged individuals to do simple assembly line-type tasks.

"I'd like to work this program out to where, no matter what these individuals' disabilities are, they can get some kind of salary," he said. "They'll be able to come to the Achievers Workshop and work for a few hours and earn themselves the self esteem to say they have a job and have worked for their money."

For more information on participating or volunteer with the Achievers of America, visit its Web site, www.achieversofamerica.info>, or call 727-868-5084.

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