Over the past few years, we have voiced our support of the Charles Town Cannons baseball team, a collegiate team that makes its home in the summer months at Sager Field at Jefferson High School. The only collegiate team in West Virginia, the young men who fill the roster are have high ambitions of moving ahead into major league baseball. Many of them have seen those dreams become a reality.

But to get there, they have to first be selected to a team such as the Cannons and then have to give their summer to playing and living away from their homes.

Many of the players who come to Jefferson County to play travel from states around the nation. Coming here, they need a temporary home.

The Cannons are currently seeking “adoptive homes” for their players. While it is a commitment to have a young man stay in one’s home including providing housing, some meals and companionship-the benefits are many.

Adoptive families become close to their players and often follow their progress long after they leave their temporary housing. But while they reside in your home, they become your child. They look to you for advice, encouragement and guidance. These young men live by the rules of their adoptive families and are respectful, courteous and as self-sufficient as necessary. They practice or play games nearly every day of the week so they are not “underfoot.” They all know how to do their own laundry!

They simply seek families who welcome them and shelter them as they pursue their dreams.

We encourage those who may be able to house one of these players to contact the Cannons via their website at www.charletowncannons.com. Of all the host families we have spoken with and seen at the ball games, we have yet to find one who regrets their decision to open their homes. In fact, they find that they have also opened their hearts and now have extended family members around the nation.