Warwick, NY - November 3rd, 2011 - At their recent annual Sports Celebrity fundraising dinner and auction, Beautiful People found ways to thank and praise some of the 120 children and young adults that they serve in their team sports programs for children and young adults with disabilities. It was an upbeat party of over 200 at the Falkirk Estate that began with original music and songs provided by Camp Venture Academy’s ROCKADEMY, a band of musicians with special needs.

Baseball legends, Rick Cerone and Mike Torrez were featured guests signing autographs and sharing great moments of their careers. Nine-year-old Joshua Decker of Waywayanda received the Golden Glove Award. His spinal bifida does not limit his determination to bat, run and field the ball with hustle. The organization’s long standing pitcher, John Hutting of Pine Bush, never having missed a game in 5 years received the first annual Volunteer of the Year Award. It was a great way to end the fall seasons of baseball and soccer.

The year round fitness and fun continues with indoor swimming and martial arts in November, and the holiday bowling party in December. Visit the website to learn more about the mission of (non-profit) Beautiful People to build out a fully accessible, safe surface sports park. Property is being sought in central Orange County. If you have skills or resources to assist, please call 845-986-5944, or email sportspark@beautiful-people.com.

Warwick, NY - October 18th, 2011 - Beautiful People will hold its 3rd Annual Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction on Friday, October 28th at 6pm at the beautiful Falkirk Estate in Central Valley, NY. One and all are invited to attend!

Baseball legends, Mike Torrez and Rick Cerone, will join friends of Beautiful People for an evening of great food, rocking music and a lively auction of sports memorabilia and other exciting items. This year for the first time, live music by Camp Venture’s band RockAdemy will entertain the crowd as well.

Tickets are $85 for adults and $25 for children.

This year’s fundraising efforts center on raising donations to help build a rubberized, fully accessible ball park that will make it safer and easier for the children with assistive devices to navigate and play ball.

To purchase tickets, or simply donate to Beautiful People sports programs and sports park build-out, go to www.beautiful-people.us, or contact Jan Brunkhorst at 845-986-5944 or e-mail: jbrunkhorst@beautiful-people.us

About Beautiful People:
Beautiful People, is a non-profit organization which provides adaptive sports for children and young adults with disabilities. Based in Warwick and established in 2007 by Peter Ladka, it now serves over 100 Orange County families and continues to grow.

September 19th, 2011 - Opening Day for Beautiful People fall baseball and soccer are always special days when families get back together and trade summertime stories and news. Sunday was no exception, only to add to the excitement of the day, Beautiful People announcer, and Minisink Senior, Daniel Fratto surprised the families by presenting a supersized check to the organization for his recent fundraising efforts. With the help of the Minisink Kiwanis Key Club, Daniel organized a Walk at his High School in June to raise money to help with Beautiful People’s goal to build a rubberized, fully accessible sports park for the Beautiful People players, many of whom use assistive devices and are in need of a safer playing surface and facilities. The giant sized check – an amazing $15,552.69 – reflects the giant effort and spirit of a young man who, although challenged with his own health issues, is an inspiration to all who know him.

Daniel has recently been asked to join the Beautiful People Sports Park Task Force, comprised of Board members and accessibility experts, who are currently seeking an ideal parcel on which to build the special surface sports park. If you are aware of an opportunity for central Orange County or Goshen property that might be appropriate, please contact Jan Brunkhorst at 845-986-5944. In the meantime, the fundraising efforts took a huge step forward thanks to Daniel and Key Club friends!

May 18th, 2011 - Not only is Daniel Fratto only the second person to EVER to announce Derek Jeter to bat (after the infamous Bob Sheppard) but he is also an industrious Junior at Minisink High School who is organizing a fast-growing fundraiser along with the Kiwanis Key Club. The goal? To fund the build out of a safe surface rubberized sports field for his Beautiful People teammates - children with disabilities who do not or cannot play mainstream team sports.

Daniel Fratto happens to also be the official sports announcer for Beautiful People, a non-profit organization which provides adaptive sports for children and young adults with disabilities who live in and around Orange County.

Beautiful People’s new spring baseball season just kicked off on May 1st with a growing roster of players and 6 full teams. Players are paired with adult and teen buddies to assist. In Daniel’s role as announcer, he has become very aware of the need for safer playing conditions for his teammates as well as locating a field they can call home. (The last two seasons of baseball have been played on fields generously provided by the Town of Wallkill Little League.)

Simultaneous to the fundraising efforts, a task force has been formed to identify ideal locations for the fully accessible sports fields and facilities. If you are aware of an opportunity for central Orange County property, please contact Jan Brunkhorst at 845-986-5944.

To register for the Walk, with an option to have friends and family pledge for your effort, contact Daniel at abeautifulfield@yahoo.com or simply come to the Minisink Valley High School track at noon on June 4th and start walking! Families are welcome and bring your friends! A suggested donation is $10. To learn more about Beautiful People’s adaptive sports programs, visit www.beautiful-people.us

Fifteen children and their families from non-profit Beautiful People enjoyed a “Barn Experience” at Winslow last Sunday. In the course of their visit, they were taught about grooming horses, and given hands-on time to do just that. With careful and trained guidance, they mounted their horses, learned commands, and strode about high and happy in the saddle. They made figure eights, and even trotted. The healthy snacks and a craft activity were just another layer of hospitality. Beautiful People provides adaptive sports for children and young adults with physical and developmental challenges. They play full seasons of baseball and soccer, spring and fall. Off-season events bring the kids together for fun and exercise. No doubt that this Winslow happening will be long remembered. Eight year old Andy Cesarz, speaking of his helper, Iris Conques, who volunteers for both of these organizations, said “Iris, my baseball buddy was helping me steer my beautiful horse, Lilly. Thank you Iris!” Andy’s mom, Christine, shared “Winslow showed such compassion, patience, and friendliness towards our children. What a fine team.” Therapeutic riding utilizes the natural movement of a horse to help riders regain physical strength, mobility, and coordination, as well as a variety of other skills that help promote independence and self-confidence. It is “Healing with Horses”

For more information on Beautiful People or to register players for baseball beginning May 1st, visit www.beautiful-people.us

To learn more about programs at Winslow, visit www.winslow.org

Warwick, NY - March 9, 2011 – Beautiful People baseball players and friends gathered at Warwick Beautiful People office to receive a generous donation from the William Froelich Foundation. The $5000 gift was presented by Foundation Board Member, David Rimmer. Before Mr. Froelich’s passing a few years ago, he was a long time supporter of Pacem In Terris, frequenting Warwick from his homes in NYC and Saba Island in the Dutch Caribbean. The Foundation continues the good work that he began, supporting a wide variety of artistic, environmental and community-oriented causes.

When asked about the donation, Mr. Rimmer replied, “We know that Bill would approve of the great services being provided to these wonderful kids by Jan, Peter and the Beautiful People organization and we are very glad to be a part of it.”

Beautiful People, is a non-profit organization based which provides adaptive sports to children with disabilities. It currently provides baseball, soccer and many off-season activities throughout the year and serves over 100 families in Orange County.

To donate, volunteer or register your child for the upcoming spring baseball season, visit www.beautiful-people.us.

Warwick, NY – August 17th, 2010 – As part of its continuing “Fairgrounds” Grand Opening and special community outreach in the Warwick area, Price Chopper will host a Fun Fair and Barbecue open to the public on August 27th from 2 to 7pm. The afternoon’s proceeds will benefit Beautiful People, the adaptive sports organization for children, headquartered in Warwick, which serves all of Orange County NY as well as surrounding towns.

Bring your kids to enjoy the bounce house, games and prizes! Take your best shot to sink some familiar folks in the dunk tank or try your hand at a pie-in-the-face! Kevin Ryan, the Oakie Dokey clown will be there to add to the fun. Don’t cook dinner, just bring your appetite to take advantage of the many food booths sponsored Price Chopper, Boar’s Head and Eddie’s Road House (soon to open in Warwick).

In case of rain, the barbecue will be moved to Sunday from 11am – 4pm.

About Beautiful People:
Beautiful People is a non-profit, adaptive sports organization, founded my Peter Ladka, which now serves 100 Orange County families with special needs children. Peter, owner of Warwick software development company, Parse3, wanted to give Orange County’s Beautiful Kids an opportunity to play team sports (currently baseball and soccer) and to build bridges between these families and the broader community of Orange County. Future plans include building a fully accessible, rubberized surface ball field to more safely accommodate every child who wants to play ball! Visit www.beautiful-people.us for more information on how to help with donations.

Peter Ladka didn’t have to do any of this. He had his own business, a beautiful home, a loving wife and two perfectly healthy children. He was living the dream in bucolic Orange County, N.Y.

“The idea came to me in 2005,” Ladka recalled. “I was playing T-ball with my daughter Brooke, and thinking about how I could do something in the community. I thought, ‘How cool would it be for kids who have a difficulty or a disability and can’t be in a standard organized league to be able to play?’ I wanted to get a bunch of kids together and have a game to see how that went.”

What he discovered was a community full of people willing to lend a hand.

Five years later, the organization he founded, You Are Beautiful People, has built bridges between children with disabilities and their families and the broader community in Orange County. By providing adaptive sports, currently baseball and soccer, for children ages 5 to 21, Beautiful People has given youth with special needs the same chance as mainstream children to socialize, exercise, and enjoy the benefits of team sports.

Children who used to ask why they can’t take part in activities with other kids now have a place to go that invites them into the warm embrace of not just other similar families, but the larger Orange County community — a feeling underscored by the fact that most of the volunteers do not have special needs children of their own.

The name of the organization comes from what Ladka and his other organizers wanted to express. In his words, it was a way to say, “You are beautiful people to us. We want to reach out and be a part of your lives.”

The organization’s baseball program is an affiliate chapter of the Miracle League — a national nonprofit organization that has been providing baseball for children with disabilities since 2000. Each player is paired with a “buddy,” a mainstream youth or adult volunteer, who stays with the player when he or she hits, rounds the bases and fields the ball.

Since the first official Beautiful People gathering, the game has grown from eight players, their families and 20 volunteers to over 60 players their family members and 65 volunteers.

Children taking part in the games have physical disabilities and/or developmental challenges, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and a range within the autism spectrum. Regardless of the individual obstacles, participating as a team is rewarding for all.

Approximately 40 percent of “buddy” volunteers are local mainstream teenagers, allowing the children the chance to establish relationships with young mentors who they would never otherwise meet if not for this setting.

“What makes these games so beautiful is that no one takes anything for granted,” Ladka said. “For everybody involved, each swing is an answered prayer.”

Special-needs children from the Beautiful People organization will be paired with Yankees players, coaches and staff in a baseball game on the field at Yankee Stadium following the club’s Aug. 19, 1:05 p.m. game vs. Detroit. The Yankees, the children and their families will also enjoy an early dinner and dessert together on the field.

Sixteen year old Daniel Fratto, who is small in stature, wheels a portable oxygen tank behind him, and faces each day with physical challenges due to severe combined immune deficiency syndrome, contacted Beautiful People in the hopes of becoming involved. Though playing in a game was too demanding given his condition, he and Beautiful People found a different role for him to play — public-address announcer. He exemplifies the spirit of the organization, which values inclusion above everything else. Daniel will be joining the group on their Aug. 19 visit to Yankee Stadium.

March 17, 2010, Warwick, NY Beautiful People, a non-profit organization providing adaptive sports programs for children with disabilities, has made a huge stride in solidifying their future.

Five new additions to their Board of Directors were announced today. Peter Ladka, founder and Board Chairman welcomes Captain Edward DeFalcon, Peter Dowling, Alexandra Romano, William Staples, and Joseph Zaccaro. “Each have been integral supports in advancing our mission, and bring strength, expertise and determined commitment,” says Ladka.

Captain Ed DeFalcon has been with the Air National Guard since 1999, and is currently responsible for 200 full-time and part-time personnel. He also runs the base process improvement office for the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart. He is the former president and treasurer of the 105th Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer Council, and has experience with AXA Financial focusing on planned giving for non-profits. He graduated with a B.S. Summa cum Laude; and an MBA distinguished with the Silberman School of Business Graduate Dean’s Award from Farleigh Dickinson University. Ed is married with two sons, 15 and 8, and resides in Goshen

Pete Dowling, and wife Jeanne, have been a constant hands-on support with our players and their families for Beautiful People games and events. Pete, with United Parcel Service for fourteen years, is a Senior Business Analyst. Previously as a Captain, for the NYPD (employed 22 years) he was tasked with performing medical and physical reviews and background investigations as Commanding Officer of Applicant Processing Unit. He has served as Treasurer and Pension Consultant for the Superior Officers Association, treasurer and VP of the Orange County Shields, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Washingtonville 5 WTC Firefighters Fund. The fund raised over $200,000 to erect a memorial monument honoring lost lives. Pete has been a lifelong coach for youth sports.

Joe Zaccaro served as Chairman and spearheaded the 5 WTC Firefighters Fund and memorial monument project. He brings leadership skills, having 34 years of service with IBM, currently as Manager of the Disaster Recovery Project management team, and his passion and enthusiasm are reflective in his IBM role as Spirit Leader. Joe has also coached K to grade 12 baseball, basketball and soccer and played Phillies Minor League baseball in the 70’s. He and wife, Laurie, have two sons, Joe is the Chairman of Fundraising for Beautiful People, and received their charter Vision Volunteer Award in fall of 2009, following a hugely successful dinner featuring Dwight Doc Gooden.

Alexandra Romano is the Director of Marketing for PARSE3, Peter Ladka’s Warwick based custom software development company; she serves as Marketing Committee Chair for Beautiful People. Her previous marketing experience began in 1993 with Sony Music in Production Management and Release Planning, and ended as VP of Marketing and Acquisitions for children’s division, Sony Wonder in 2000. She was also a Television Research Analyst with WBZ in Boston. Alex holds numerous professional memberships in Orange County. Her husband Paul is also an active volunteer of Beautiful People. They have two daughters, 7 and 9.

Billy Staples is an author, educator, and baseball historian. His book, Before the Glory: Baseball Heroes Talk about Turning Hard Times into Home Runs is a best seller. He has received two nominations for being Disney’s National Teacher of the Year. His encyclopedic knowledge of baseball history and statistics enable him, as a frequent speaker, to reach a vast audience and inspire children. Bill is co-founder of BEST (Building Education Support Teams) of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, a non-profit. The organization is promoting education through scholarships and mentoring, by identifying students with financial needs. Bill is also a board member of the Miracle League Chapter of Lehigh Valley, with fundraising resulting in the build-out of a fully accessible, safe surface ball park. Bill is committed to see that same park become a reality as a permanent home for Beautiful People and other adaptive sports organization in Orange County.

The Beautiful People organization was established in 2006. Baseball begins its 7th season in May, as the Orange County Chapter of Miracle League. This fall, Beautiful Kids Soccer will be added as they transition in an 8 year old, Newburgh based Challenger soccer team.

Warwick, NY. Beautiful People, a non-profit sports program organization for children with disabilities, presented Joe Zaccaro, with their charter recognition, the Vision Volunteer Award, at the close of the Field Of Miracles Fundraising party held Friday, October 23rd. Zaccaro is the organization's Fundraising Committee Chair, and also emceed the hugely successful event. Major league baseball legend, Dwight "Doc" Gooden, was on board for a Q&A segment and signed autographs. Auctioneer, author, and baseball historian, Billy Staples, also captured the audience. Players and their families, as well as volunteers' families and friends were present that night to applaud the commitment of Joe Zaccaro, who spearheaded the event. He was thanked for his tireless effort toward the mission of seeing that every child has a chance to play team sports. Joe shares the vision of founder Peter Ladka, for the build-out of a customized, fully accessible, rubberized surface ballpark. Beautiful People sponsors fall and spring seasons of baseball as the Orange County New York Chapter of Miracle League. Many will recall that Joe Zaccaro was also part of the core team of visionaries for the Washingtonville, NY 9/11 Memorial.

Warwick, NY. Dwight "Doc" Gooden, legendary Mets and Yankee pitcher, delighted nearly 100 guests with a Q & A appearance at the first big fundraiser for Beautiful People, the Orange County NY Chapter of Miracle League Baseball at Anthony’s Pier 9 on Friday night, October 23rd.

He began the buzz for the auction that followed packed with baseball memorabilia, including both teams’ jerseys autographed by Doc that raised more than $300 each. Grateful founder of Beautiful People, Peter Ladka, wishes to thank Doc and bestselling author, baseball historian, Billy Staples for the excitement generated for the organization’s goal to build a ballpark in Orange County. The park, designed specifically for children with disabilities, will include a rubberized turf and will be a fully accessible sports facility that is safe and comfortable for the players and their mainstream “buddies” who work one-on-one to see that all the children get all they can out of the games. Currently baseball is played spring and fall seasons at Thomas Bull and other area parks. Monthly off-season indoor events enable Beautiful kids and their families to continue to socialize, exercise, and have FUN!

Doc showed great empathy for the organization’s cause and praised the many people who are committed to giving these children a wonderful outlet to enjoy themselves. During his remarks, Doc also credited numerous people who helped him in his formative years when he was developing into a major league talent. When asked what player he admires and likes to watch play ball, he said, “I’d have to say Jeter.” Doc is onboard with Beautiful People with future support, as is Billy Staples who donated $5 of each book sale at the evening’s event. Doc signed photos and balls and even spoke on the phone to a few supporters’ family members for a cause he that feels is truly deserving.

On Friday, October 23rd, Beautiful People, the Orange County, New York Chapter of Miracle League Baseball will host its first big fundraising event. BP is a non-profit organization that provides adaptive sports programs for children with disabilities. Major Leaguer, Dwight Gooden, former New York Mets and Yankees pitcher will be a guest speaker. Doc's career statistics include a Win-Loss record of 194-112, and 2,293 strikeouts, and his May 1996 no-hitter remains an exciting memory for fans. Gooden and Billy Staples, bestselling author and baseball historian, are on board for an evening of dinner, music, silent and live auctions, and much more!

The "Field of Miracles Fundraising Party" will be held at Anthony's Pier 9, from 6 to 10 pm. The ultimate goal of the fundraising is to build-out a customized, rubberized, accessible ball field with dugouts, lighting, restrooms, a concession, and adjacent playground so that Beautiful People can have a home field park. The current baseball program, in spring and fall, is for children ages 5-18 with physical and/or developmental challenges, team up with non-disabled adult/peer "buddy" volunteers who assist as they hit, round bases, and field the ball. This partnership benefits both sides as they share the great American pastime to find common ground and friendships. Long term goals include expanding to other sports, such as soccer, football, and field hockey.

The "Field of Miracles Fundraising Party" will be held at Anthony’s Pier 9, from 6 to 10 pm. Beautiful People, the Orange County Chapter of Miracle League Baseball, is host to special guest speaker, legendary major leaguer, former Yankee, Doc Gooden. Beautiful People is a non-profit organization providing sports programs for children with special needs. The dinner theme is “Build a Ballpark for Beautiful kids”. Funds raised will go directly to the effort of building out a custom, rubberized surface, fully accessible sports field to enable those children with physical disabilities and developmental challenges a level playing field, literally.

Billy Staples, baseball historian and bestselling author of Before the Glory is on board for the evening’s live auction. A silent auction is also featured, both packed with sports memorabilia. Autographed photos (16x20) will be offered up of Tom Seaver, Jon Lester, 1955 Dodger, Duke Snider and other greats. Your bid could take home a Ron Guidry signed ball or a Pete Rose and Ty Cobb commemorative certificates or a framed photo of NBA star Jason Kidd.

A Doc Gooden autograph is included with each dinner ticket. Photos of Doc and baseballs are available for purchase, or if preferred, he will sign an item you bring. Adults $75 Children $25 (age 12 and under).

Warwick, NY — August 1. 2009-- Peter Ladka, founder and President of the Beautiful People Organization, announced the appointment of Jan Brunkhorst as Director. Beautiful People, a non-profit, which began in 2007, is focused on providing adaptive sports for children with disabilities. Their fifth season of baseball is planned this fall, with over 50 participating member families, established as the Orange County chapter of Miracle League.

Brunkhorst will be charged with the furthering awareness of the organization, generating funds to fuel the sports program, and to oversee on and off-season events, She brings experience as a successful entrepreneur, as VP and founder since 1989, of a Warwick- based national market recruitment firm. Previously, as division director for a business solution services company, she focused on sales, marketing and training.

"We are particularly excited about Jan’s talent to create and build. She is a networker who shares our pride for the bounty of resources in Orange County, and is eager to engage them in our goals.” Ladka said. “We look forward to a growing roster so more kids can have more fun!” Ladka added, “Our sincere thanks go to Jacque Rubino for her dedication and commitment for our mission to date, and our best wishes for her continued success."

Play ball! The Fall season of the Miracle Baseball League for children with disabilities who reside in Orange County will take place Sundays, September 14 through October 19 from 9am to 12 noon. The games will be held at Veterans Memorial Park, Forester Avenue, Warwick, NY. . The games are being sponsored by Beautiful People and co-hosted by the Orange County Department of Parks and Recreation and Inspire, Inc. Players ages 5-18, as well as volunteers ages 12 and up are wanted. No experience is necessary. Registration is required before the day of the games. Players and volunteers can participate in some or all of the games. Participation is free.

Here's how Miracle Baseball works. Each player is paired with a “buddy”, a mainstream youth or adult volunteer, who stays with them as they hit, round the bases, and field the ball. No experience is required of the players or volunteers. A soft t-ball is used and all players in the field and at bat wear helmets that are provided for them. Bats are also provided. Players must bring their own baseball gloves. In Miracle Baseball, everyone plays, everyone hits, everyone wins.

According to Peter Ladka, founder of Beautiful People, “The children enjoy themselves tremendously. In addition to having fun, they get the physical, social, and psychological benefits that physical activity and team sports provide. There are several thousand children with disabilities in Orange County. It’s important to have as many opportunities for sports participation as possible.”

Beautiful People is a non-profit organization based in Warwick and formed in 2007. The organization provides adaptive sports for children with disabilities in Orange County, NY. Mr. Ladka says that in the future, the organization “will be building a customized, rubberized field that will make it easier for children with assistive devices to navigate and enjoy organized sports.” Long term goals include expanding to include other team sports, such as soccer, football, and field hockey.