Elledge is Difference Maker of the Year

On this field, it’s not about the best at-bat, getting a no hitter or who had the highest score.

It’s not about the color of your uniform, or the name on your cap.

Only one thing matters.

Joy.

It is the smile as a child who might otherwise not be on this field, with this bat, in this moment, has an opportunity to experience the thrill of America’s past-time, the acceptance of a team and the encouragement of a cheering crowd.

Dave Elledge, the 2020 Difference Maker of the Year, helps give this experience to dozens of children through his involvement with Buddy Ball.

Buddy Ball is a non-profit organization which provides sports services at no cost to persons with mental and physical developmental disabilities.

It’s not the only non-profit Elledge helps lead, or the only one that serves children.

Elledge is also involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a volunteer effort that provides beds to children who would otherwise not have their own place to sleep, and Bright Futures, which meets many needs for Poplar Bluff youth.

Elledge, a co-pastor at The Bluff Church in Poplar Bluff, says he loves to serve the community. He was chosen from 10 finalists who have all found ways to serve and improve their communities.

“Personally, it’s great satisfaction … seeing kids on the baseball field that don’t normally get to participate in sports or as we deliver a bed to a child who has been sleeping on the floor,” said Elledge. “Just the excitement that they show makes it all worthwhile … all the work that goes into both those activities and I just enjoy them so much.”

The announcement was made during a virtual event on the Daily American Republic’s website and Facebook page. Video can be viewed in those locations, including the announcement, keynote speaker Byron Beck and interviews with all of the nominators and finalists.

“The people we (recognized) are the type of people that don’t want to be recognized,” DAR Publisher Chris Pruett said during the virtual event. “They are the volunteers who would prefer to be behind the scenes and not get recognition. To be perfectly honest, they were the type of people who are very uncomfortable with this.

“The DAR believes it’s very important to highlight these types of people in our community because without these people, a lot of things wouldn’t get done.”

Elledge was nominated for Difference Makers by Carol Ann Huck, who has seen first hand the joy her own granddaughter experiences through the Buddy Ball program.

“The joy given to these players is palpable,” Huck wrote in her nomination, and has said, “I can’t even tell you how much our little one looks forward to it.

“They run for all their worth, and they are grinning from ear to ear. If the kids are in wheelchairs, their buddies push them along the bases. It’s just something you can’t put value into words.”

Elledge said he was very humbled by the recognition.

“It’s not what I do, it’s what all the people around me, allow me to do,” he said after the virtual event.

Elledge has touched many lives by making sure all area children have the same opportunity, no matter what their physical ability or financial background may be, Pruett said, in addition to his work making sure every child has a bed.

The DAR has been a fixture in the community for 152 years, and enjoys being able to bring programs like this to the area, said Pruett.

“It’s programs like this that we really get excited about, that we can highlight good people and good things about our community,” he said.