Last month, Team IMPACT brought kids, families, college athletes, coaches, and community members together in Dallas for a Field Day filled with connection, competition, laughter, and plenty of fun.
While the day was packed with activities and opportunities to try something new, it was about so much more than sports. It was a celebration of what happens when kids are welcomed into a team, athletes have the chance to make a difference beyond their sport, and an entire community comes together to make sure every child knows they belong.
For 12-year-old Amelia, matched with the Texas Woman’s University gymnastics team, Field Day was a chance to get out there and experience it all. When asked her favorite part, Amelia said, “Doing all the sports and meeting new people.”
And when it comes to her team, Amelia doesn’t just see a group of college athletes. She sees family. “They’re awesome people!” she said. “They are all like my sisters. They are the best and they make me determined to do as good as they do!”
For Amelia’s parents, Robin and Henk, and her sister, Emily, the magic of Field Day comes through creating memorable experiences for participating families and seeing all the kids and families have fun. “I loved all the activities that were there. It was planned so well for so many different people who like to different things,” Emily said. “There was something for everyone! The adults that were helping all the kids were all so nice and so kind.”
Not only do Field Days help bring families and athletes together, but they also help introduce Team IMPACT’s mission to a broader community. “Events [like Field Day] help the community learn more about Team IMPACT,” they said, “and helps increase the support and participation from the community.”
That sense of belonging and community is at the heart of every Team IMPACT match—and it was on full display throughout Field Day. For Amelia’s family, that support means even more and goes even further for their daughter since she joined her team. “Amelia did not have a typical childhood and was unable to do many of the activities her peers participated in. That left her feeling left out,” her parents shared. “Team IMPACT in its partnership with Texas Women’s University has given her a place where she is accepted, welcomed and encouraged. She feels a part of the team and looks forward to every practice and meet.”
Matt, a Team IMPACT Fellow and member of the University of North Texas track & field team, matched with Colton, events like Field Day create something that can be difficult to find in the busy world of college athletics: time to simply connect. “Events like Team IMPACT field day are important because it can bring people together and create opportunities for the kids and athletes to build a closer relationship,” Matt said. “It gives everyone a chance to step away from their busy lives to have fun while also spreading awareness!” Win-win!
That time together can make a lasting impact. Matt has seen firsthand how a Team IMPACT match can grow from a simple introduction into a meaningful relationship. His favorite moments are the ones where athletes and kids can simply be themselves.
“My favorite part of Team IMPACT is the times where we all just get to go out and act like ourselves around Colton and seeing him open up when he originally wouldn’t speak a word to us,” he said. “Seeing his growth in his socialization has been mind-blowing!”
For athletes like Matt, Team IMPACT is a reminder that being part of a team means more than what happens on the field. “Being a part of Team IMPACT is being a part of something bigger than you and your team beyond your sport,” he said. “Getting to spend time, have fun, and make kids truly a part of our athletics community is a feeling that we don’t have no matter the sport you play.”
That inclusive spirit is what made the day so special. Whether kids were trying a new sport, meeting local teams and families, cheering on their friends, or simply enjoying time with their families, everyone had a place to participate. “Field Days are so important for our entire community,” said Courtney Echols, Team IMPACT’s Director of Individual Giving. “All kids get to be kids and participate in the same activities, and volunteers get to meet our amazing families and student-athletes who bring our program to life.”
A special thank you to Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Plano, Goldman Sachs, The Dallas Foundation, FC Dallas, Coca-Cola, the Dallas Regional Advisory Board, and the Voom Group for supporting Dallas Field Day.
Team IMPACT Field Day is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful moments happen outside of the traditional game, when an entire community comes together and says, “You belong here.”
In Dallas, Field Day gave kids and athletes the chance to play, laugh, compete, and connect. Thank you to all the attendees, volunteers, staff, and sponsors who made the day so special.
