A Real Sport

Thanks to a generous 11-year-old, the boys at Texas Baptist Children’s Home started the New Year with all the right stuff for sports.

A December birthday baby, Patch Pape has been sharing his birthday by giving back to others since he was 4 years old. This time, he wanted to share it with Texas Baptist Children’s Home.

“We decided to have a sports extreme birthday party for Patch when he decided to enlist his friends to give the sports equipment to boys at TBCH instead,” said mom Judy Pape.

The timing for his desire to give to others could not have been better, since normal wear and tear had depleted the sporting good inventory on campus. Thanks to Patch, that is no longer the case.

When Patch had his party right before Christmas, he had accumulated more than 41 gifts – balls, bats, helmets and more – for boys in the Campus Life Program.

“It was one of the best feelings of my life, seeing those gifts come in for those kids,” Patch said.

This isn’t the first time the Papes have given Patch’s birthday presents to TBCH. In fact, they were the first recipients of this would-be tradition back when Patch turned 4.

“We knew we didn’t need hundreds of presents,” said Judy. “So, he decided he wanted to let someone else benefit from his birthday.”

Now it’s a yearly tradition. For the past seven years, local nonprofits have been on the receiving end of Patch’s generous nature. Donations have included books for libraries, toys, clothing and, this year, sporting equipment.
 
“If you are going to get a lot of people together for a party, why not do something to help someone else?” Judy said. “I think Patch just realizes there are a lot of kids out there who don’t have parents and he wants to help them out.”

“Not every kid’s environment is perfect,” he said. “I guess I just want to try to make it as perfect as I can. We want to do more to help.”

Like, for instance, spending time with the boys helping them break in their new gear. After delivering the truck load of gifts to the cottage, the Papes have been invited back for a game of kickball and dinner with the cottage family.

“We’re very excited to do it,” Judy said.
   
“I’m looking forward to it,” Patch agreed. “I love kickball, so it’s going to be really fun for me.”