K-Kid Congrats - On NOC?

I didn't think I'd ever be writing about Northampton on my Nazareth area site, but I just finished reading Morning Call Sports Editor Keith Groller's column (read it here) and felt compelled to recognize and thank the Northampton Koncrete Kids Softball Team and Coach for "making the day" of a group of young children battling cancer, including one from Nazareth.

Gabby Flank is 11 years old, lives in the borough, and has been battling leukemia. She was at Angel Field in Bushkill Township and met the team. Angel Field is a retreat run by Angel 34, a phenomenal organization (visit their web site here). According to the Angel 34 web site, the Northampton team spent the day with 17 children, and did "Arts and Crafts, 1st Annual Egg Hunt, Planting Potatoes and Story Time in the Garden. Each child received a gift basket that their K-Kid Buddy picked out for them."

Groller reported that Gabby, who loved playing softball prior to her chemotherapy, took to the team and they responded. Gabby's mother is quoted as saying: ''They have made her an honorary coach. They made her a special Northampton softball T-shirt with her name on the back, they gave her an autographed ball and visor. They have invited her to their team banquet. They invited us to their game against Nazareth and it was strange to be sitting on the Northampton side because we're from Nazareth.''

Gabby's mother called Groller because she wanted to do whatever she could to thank the team for the lift they gave her daughter.

Hopefully spreading the thanks will also let more people learn about Angel 34 and help the organization to continue to grow and expand so they can help even more children battling cancer.