Adaptive Activities

Paint on wooden ornaments with acrylic paint and acrylic paint markers. Kids will learn about color, design, and composition and bring home a special keepsake.

DATE: December 15; TIME: 12:15-1 pm; LOCATION: Strasburg Legion

In Memory of Diego Alvarado

Diego Alvarado, also known as Big D, was a special education student who overcame epilepsy, leukemia, and avascular necrosis on his joints.

After hip and knee replacements, Diego walked away from a wheelchair and walker, so he could play ball! His freshman year, Big D was in a wheelchair but this didn’t deter him from participating in PE classes and striving to get strong enough to play on the high school baseball team. Sophomore year, Big D used a walker and even though he was in constant pain, he continued to work hard so he could eventually run, catch, and throw. His junior year, he had his hips replaced, but continued to work diligently, knowing that baseball tryouts were only weeks away. He made the team knowing that he would have to keep working hard so he could earn his right to play. On March 12th, his 18th birthday, Big D played his first ever baseball game and scored his first run. He didn’t stop smiling.

In 2016, he played with the Eagles adaptive baseball league. Big D was so passionate about baseball that at every game  he would ask to play one of his favorite songs “The Man”, so he could focus and be ready to play. He finished the season scoring, hitting a grand slam, and hit an amazing home run!

His greatest joy was playing ball, watching the Colorado Rockies (his favorite team), and being part of the team. His endearing smile, words of encouragement to his team, and the love for the game will forever be in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Today, Diego’s brother, Daniel, keeps his memory alive by coordinating the Cancer Fighter’s to the Rescue Toy Drive each Christmas. Thousands of toys are collected and donated to Children’s Hospital for use throughout the year.