Committees
OUR PRESIDENT -- CHUCK BONDY
Positions: President
Vice President Amherstburg Minor Baseball Association
Career: Owner/Operator of C.J. Bondy Plumbing
Previous owner of Helpers Home Hardware 1993 - 2003
Married 34 years to Ann, father to Emily & John
Community Contributions:
Member of Knights of Columbus in Amherstburg since 1979
Held coaching positions in a multitude of Minor Hockey and Minor Baseball teams.
Head Coach to General Amherst Baseball Team
Coach on the Men’s Amherstburg Senior Baseball Team
Committee Member on the Amherstburg Recreation Board
Miracle League Involvement:
Amherstburg’s Wigle Park. The love of playing this sport has been passed down from father to son and has resulted in many memorable moments our family has treasured. Whether it’s playing, coaching or watching, summer means baseball. In 2008 members of the Amherstburg Minor Baseball Association and Amherstburg Rotary Club began discussions on how to build and operate a Miracle League Diamond.
2009-2010 Funding was secured from 3 levels of government and construction was completed on the First Miracle League Diamond in Canada.
2010 – In September of 2010 league operations began.
2011-2012 – The league consists of a spring and fall session, fielding 9 teams of 15 players.
2013- lst session May-June 2nd session Sept. – Oct.
MIKE BONDY
Positions: Vice President and Sponsorship Director
Career: Partner Shoreline Tours.
Tour operator specializing in group travel for the 55+ travelers.
Community Contributions:
Involved with Goodfellows, Hospice of Windsor and the M.S. Society.
Miracle League Involvement:
I have been a long time Amherstburg resident. My good friend Chuck Bondy was instrumental in my initial involvement with the Miracle League. Participation in a tournament a couple summers ago gave me a first hand opportunity to witness this incredible project.
DIANA HUNT
Positions: Secretary
Career: Legal Assistant, Gatti Law Professional Corporation
Former Medical Typist -- Windsor Regional Hospital
Married 20 years to Tim, mother to Michael, Holly and Austin and Oma to Dayton and Caleigh.
Community Contributions:
Manager Amherstburg Minor Hockey
Secretary Royal Canadian Legion Dart League
Secretary Super B’s Golf League
Miracle League Involvement:
I was introduced to the Miracle League by John Holzel, a fellow photographer, who asked if I would take pictures on Opening Day. On that beautiful Saturday afternoon I took the picture of a young player whose smiling face coming to home plate stole my heart. Since then the Saturdays I spend on the diamond give me great pride to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Truth be told I also do it for selfish reasons, the players give me more than I could possibly ever give them.
ANN BONDY
Positions: Registration/Admin. Director
Career: C.J. Bondy Plumbing
Married 34 years to Chuck, father to Emily & John
Community Contributions:
Committee member Amherstburg River Lights, Shores of Erie International Wine Festival, Roots to Boots Festival and Women’s March 2013.
MICHELE VIGNEUX
Position: Public -Media Relations &Media
Career Registered Social Worker & System Navigator
Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County
Community Contributions:
Throughout my life, I have volunteered and held memberships on a number of Boards and Committees. Currently my representation on Boards is primarily with agencies that provide services and support for adults with intellectual disabilities and with individuals who are vulnerable. I am also a strong supporter for the fight against cancer and those affected by Alzheimer disease and other dementias.My greatest volunteer experience to date, has been as a Board member with the Miracle League of Amherstburg.
Miracle League Involvement:
As a parent of a child with an intellectual disability, I have longed for a sporting event that allows him the opportunity to participate fully without barriers and with the built in supports that allow him to feel like a baseball star!! The Miracle League is an amazing opportunity for the players, the coaches, the fans, the volunteers, the families, the sponsors, and anyone else who believes in an inclusive community. I am excited and honored that I have the opportunity to work with a number of caring individuals who volunteer numerous hours each week who work hard to make the dream of playing baseball come alive for kids and adults who may never otherwise have the opportunity to play the sport they love. My son loves baseball but we have never quite found the right league for him. I love to watch Max hit the field every week!!
BRIAN MCGEE
Positions: Capital Projects Director
Career: Automotive
Tool & Die Maker
Tooling Supervisor
Program Manager
Technical Sale Representative
Account Manager
Community Contributions:
Coached Minor Soccer
Coached Minor Hockey (House league & travel)
Minor Hockey Board 1 year
Miracle League Involvement:
2 years ago when I was asked to help with the pre-Miracle League tournament the team that I coached had people young and old that were so excited about playing baseball that day. Soon I realized this group wasn’t being held back by disabilities, only the lack of venue. By helping out with this vision the road blocks will be eliminated, all people will be able to enjoy the sports I had the pleasure of playing and watching other kids play while coaching them.
GAYE MCGEE
Positions: Entertainment Director and Supervisor Miracle League Mascot "Hunter"
Career: Former Receptionist for Deloitte Haskins and Sells of Windsor.
Former Photo Lab Technician for Shoppers Drug Mart of Amherstburg.
Married to Brian McGee. Mother, Teacher, Cook, House Cleaner, Nurse, Referee, and Judge to two sons Danny and Jeff, one daughter Bethany and one dog Darla(God bless her soul). Presently part time care giver to Charlie and Hank my darling grand puppies who bring so much joy and challenge to my life.
Community Contributions: Coached many years of soccer when my children were small. Made sure everyone ran up and down the field and handed out lots of Popsicles!
Past Chairperson to Malden Central Public School's Parent Council.
Taxi Driver and #1 Fan to all of my kid's sports teams! Go Team!!!
Miracle League Involvement: A few years ago when our first Miracle League game took place, I was there as a spectator and took a few pictures. The photos were very much appreciated by our Miracle League president Chuck Bondy. We now have 3 excellent photographers who attend every game taking priceless photos and creating awesome video, allowing us to show our website viewers Canada's first Miracle League Baseball organization in our home town Amherstburg Ontario. Our Miracle League mascot "Hunter" joined the Miracle League the following year and is at every game and is loved so much by our players, fans, buddies and volunteers. We then introduced half time entertainment to every game in the form of children's organized dance clubs, singing groups and just about anyone who has talent of some sort. That's when I became Director of Entertainment. I grew up playing baseball, love the game, love dance, song and drama performances. I attend every Miracle League game day, organize the volunteers for our mascot, schedule the entertainment for each game and the easiest part of all of that is having fun. If you are having a bad day, you'll feel much better after watching a Miracle League game. Come on out! You won't be disappointed!
MARYLYNN HOLZEL
Positions: Buddy Director
Volunteer Coordinator
Career: Registered Nurse at Hotel Dieu-Grace Hospital for 28 years
Married to John and mother to 2 teenagers
Community Contributions:
President of the Windsor Essex County SIDS Chapter 1996-2006
Peer Grief support work though the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
Developed and taught a “Safe Sleep Practices for Infants” Workshop to Health Care workers and Parents
Coach for several Amherstburg Minor Soccer teams
Manager Amherstburg Travel Minor Soccer
Hockey Trainer for Windsor, LaSalle and Amherstburg Minor Girls Hockey
Hockey Trainer at Large for Amherstburg Minor Hockey
Manager for Amherstburg Midget Minor Travel Hockey
Treasurer for St. Bernard School Council
Miracle League Involvement:
My husband John who does photography for a hobby was asked if he would be interested in taking photos for the Miracle League. He instantly fell in love with what was going on and became a board member. I happened to fall into being part of this wonderful organization because I do all of the editing of his pictures. Slowly I took on other duties when there was a need and finally was asked to be on the Board and eventually take on Volunteer Coordinator. I have been involved in many organizations but was particularly drawn to this organization because of the wonderful people both organizing and participating in this League.
JOHN HOLZEL
Position: Game Day Photographer
Audio Video Director
Career: Retired from GM Transmission
Presently working part time at Shoppers Drug Mart Amherstburg (Delivery)
Community Contributions:
Manager for Amherstburg Minor Travel soccer
Manager for Amherstburg Minor Travel Hockey
President Reckless Drivers Golf League (20 years)
Coordinator “Buck-Chuck” charity Golf Tournament (10 years)
Unofficial Photographer for AMHA
Miracle League Involvement:
When the Miracle League was in its initial stages Diana Hunt and I thought that this would be a great organization to be involved with. Shortly after this conversation Gaye McGee contacted me to see if I was interested in being a photographer. Because of my love of photographing athletes, I said YES and have never looked back. Absolutely love being a part of and having the ability of capturing the spirit of the athletes on film. P.S. My YMCA dance is slowly getting better
Christina Elder
Position: Buddy Co-Ordinator
My name is Christina Elder. I am currently finishing up my first year of the Child and Youth Worker Program at St. Clair College. I first got involved with the Miracle League when my aunt and uncle told about it when it was first starting. They told me to come out and to see what I thought. "Hey it could be a good way to earn my community service hours for high school". My first day there I fell in love with all of it. The community services hours became an afterthought. I started off as a buddy and was then asked to join the board as a Buddy Liaison. With my involvement with the Miracle League it has showed me what my passion is, and that is to work with children with disabilities. Now I am working with Family Respite Services. The Miracle League has been an amazing opportunity for me and I have loved it!
TIM HUNT
Positions: Umpire Director/Audio & Video Director
Career: Tooling Engineer, Veltri Canada for last 21 years.
Community Contributions:
Miracle League (4 years)
Miracle League Involvement:
My wife, Diana Hunt, and I started getting involved with the Miracle League in 2010. We offered our services as photographers and video promotions. It soon became something we enjoyed beyond taking pictures and video. I now provide support on the committee as Umpire director and enjoy every minute of the time spend supporting the players. Watch the promotional video’s, they say it all.
Louanne Miron
Positions: Team Mom Director and Team Mom for Team Thunder
