The miracle of caring is celebrated at Longwood Park in Sarasota

Miracle League of Manasota Executive Director Chris Cushman was trying to find the words to describe the late Joanne DiCarlo, who was one of the Miracle League's biggest supporters.

"Funky," Cushman finally offered.

Those who knew DiCarlo from the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge shook their heads affirmatively.

Yes, DiCarlo, who died Aug. 16 at 83, went about doing things in a different manner than most. Cushman noted that for a few years, he couldn't contact DiCarlo through any means other than talking to her in person or a phone call because she didn't want to use social media.

But Cushman always made the extra effort, because DiCarlo always was there when it came time to raise money for the Miracle League — which is played at Longwood Park in Sarasota — or to just show up to support the "differently-abled children and adults" who played in the league.

On Dec. 7, the Miracle League celebrated its first "Joanne DiCarlo Christmas Party. The party itself is a longstanding tradition, but now will go forward bearing her name.

Photo by Jay Heater

"Her passion was the Miracle League," said Elks Club member Sarah Davis, who has taken over DiCarlo's role as the contact person between the Elks and the Miracle League. "We have sponsored the Miracle League ever since Joanne joined the Elks. We sponsor the (Miracle League's) Pirates."

Elks Golf Tournament Director Mark Liddell presented a check of $1,500 to the Miracle League during the Christmas Party. It was a percentage of the proceeds of this year's tournament. The Elks Riders motorcycle group donated another $1,100 to the league in funds raised through a lottery ticket raffle.

"Joanne is looking down on us today," Liddell said to those at the Christmas party.

Sarasota's Misty Sneperger, whose 8-year-old son De'andre McKinon has autism and is a member of the Miracle League, talked about how important it is for the Miracle League to receive support from people like DiCarlo.

"If the Miracle League didn't offer something like this, De'andre wouldn't have anything social in his life," Sneperger said. "This is an outlet for him."

When De'andre arrived at the event, he was disappointed to hear there would not be a game.

"He was so sad," Sneperger said. "He told me, 'Get my green bat.'"

She said she truly appreciates everything the sponsors, such as DiCarlo and the Elks, have done for the league.

"Joanne just loved kids," Davis said. "She had a motherly nature and a heart of gold."

Davis also said DiCarlo was relentless in getting things done for a cause.

"She was the typical Italian woman," Davis said.

"She made things happen," said Robyn Graham, who is board president for the Miracle League. "Without the loyal sponsorships, we wouldn't have a league. She made a difference. And she got me to join the Elks."

Cushman eventually did come up with other words to describe DiCarlo.

"She was tenacious, but so supportive," he said. "She cared deeply. She would come to games by herself, and just sit with the kids. The Christmas Party was near and dear to her heart.

"Her legacy and involvement will live on."

DiCarlo did have other passions as well. She was an avid bridge player and golfer, who once won the club championship at St. Andrews Golf Club in St. Charles, Missouri and also served as the president of the St. Louis Women's Golf Association.

At the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge, she served as the chaplain along with leading other fundraising committees. She was the Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch.

The Miracle League of Manasota, which started in 2012, is an affiliate of the National Miracle League that has leagues in more than 200 communities around the nation.