Evergreen Elementary could get its own field of dreams

Jim Williams (from left), founder and CEO of the Beth Williams Field of Dreams Foundation, Kevin Johnson, president of the Evergreen Athletic Association, Lars Wiechmann, the foundation's executive director, and others are raising funds to refurbish the sports field at Evergreen Elementary School. Most sports teams have games on their home field. That's not the case for the kids who play baseball, softball and football for Evergreen Athletic Association.

"These kids have never played a game on their home field because it's not safe," explained Kevin Johnson, the association's president. "It's not a field that kids look forward to coming to. We want to give these kids something that is better for them."

That's where the Beth Williams Field of Dreams Foundation steps in. Founded last March, the foundation plans to refurbish the field at Evergreen Elementary School, creating a full-size football field with lighting, a multipurpose youth baseball field, a concession stand and picnic area, restrooms and a trail with fitness stations. They hope to raise at least $700,000 to cover the cost of the project - all in the name of Beth Williams, a Chesterfield resident who lost her 10-year battle with breast cancer last November.

Before her death, Williams had become an advocate for breast cancer awareness, sharing her story with the nation - she was the subject of a CBS "48 Hours" Medical Miracles program with Paula Zahn. Zahn is now honorary chairman of the foundation.

Williams found out she had breast cancer before giving birth to her son, Mac, who is now 9. She was able to carry Mac and her fourth child, Patrick, now 8, to term during her breast cancer treatment. A University of Richmond Law School graduate, Williams lobbied for the enactment of federal and state legislation to help women fighting breast cancer. Her activism was recognized by the White House.

"This foundation is not about Beth," explained Williams' husband, Jim. "She was the inspiration, but this transcends her; it's about the goodness in all of us."

When Williams knew that her death was near, she requested that in lieu of flowers, friends and family make contributions to rebuild the football field at Evergreen Elementary where her children play sports. The family received about $5,000 in donations.

"I started thinking more about it and realized there was no fund devoted to rebuilding sports complexes," recalled Jim. "We decided to establish the foundation. Initially, we thought about Chesterfield, but we would like to make it a nationwide effort."

After the Evergreen project, the foundation wants to continue identifying, refurbishing and building projects throughout metro Richmond and also plans to spread the concept to other communities around the country.

"There is not enough local government funding to keep up with the needs of communities," noted Lars Wiechmann, the foundation's executive director. "As many nice facilities as Chesterfield County has, it's still not enough. There's a huge shortage of facilities."

The foundation already has been approved for a $29,000 grant offered by Chesterfield County because of the Low Impact Development design feature of the project, making it environmentally-friendly.

"The environmental improvements, which include flushless toilets, will help to promote Chesterfield County's water quality initiatives, regional Chesapeake Bay protection efforts and water conservation," explained Wiechmann.

Wiechmann hopes to use the Evergreen project to help students learn about environmentally friendly design techniques.

"It illustrates the importance of water quality, water conservation and the recycling and reuse of storm-water runoff," he explained.

Since the approval of the first grant, the foundation has applied for a $25,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Wiechmann explains that many of the grants require the organization to raise matching funds.

"We're getting our feet wet in the grant world," he said. "We plan on trying to get every grant we are eligible for."

The foundation will end the year with its first Field of Dreams Gala on Nov. 2 at the Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center in Midlothian. For more information, call 201-4365.

Johnson believes the Evergreen project will have a positive effect on the area.

"Kids today are into video games and virtual games rather than learning a sport and getting exercise," he commented. "Sports teach them about commitment and coaching. They are part of growing up. It's vital for the community, and it's not there."

"A lot of people think it can't be done," he added, "but we think it can be done and will be done."