Posted at: 04/03/2009 10:32 AM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 04/09/2009 6:38 PM
By: Jennifer Johnson

2009 ESL Jefferson Award Winner: Casey MacClaren

Right in the middle of the fun is Casey MacClaren and why not - he makes fun possible. He makes sure kids "have a ball" - literally and figuratively.

"I love it, it's the best feeling because you just know that you helped someone and made their day better," Casey said.

Casey is a freshman at McQuaid Jesuit High School now but as a 5th grader he was home schooled by his mom. Her idea of homework? - exposing her kids to all walks of life.

Casey visited homeless shelters and noticed something about the kids there. "When they came into the shelter they actually didn't come with anything of their own and when they left they didn't really leave with much more than they started with."

When assigned a service project he thought up a way to change what he saw. "I figure a ball is really something you can play with on your own or with a friend and it's doesn't break easy and it doesn't need batteries." That's when "Have a Ball" was born.

Casey went to organizations like the Rochester Red Wings, Brockport Lions Club and ball manufacturers. He asked - will you donate balls? They said yes and he made deliveries to places including Catholic Family Center's Sanctuary House which is an emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness with their children.

Sue Barnes is head of Homeless and Housing for Sanctuary House and says, "A lot of times we do get donated toys but (the balls are) something brand new that's theirs and they are excited to have something that is just for them."

Casey knows there will be other families in need. His goal this summer? Get and give one-thousand more balls. "I make time for it because I love the feeling when I see kids playing with it and I know they love having them and having something of their own to keep."

To contact Casey about helping him on this project, send him message at cmhaveaball@aol.com.