Each season, the Midwest League collects fines from players and coaches who violate the On-Field Behavior Policy. Then the league distributes the fine money evenly to each member team, and asks them to give it to a deserving group or organization in their community.

"The Midwest League does a great job in turning a negative thing into a positive one," said Bees general manager, Chuck Brockett. "The Make-A-Wish Foundation is such a wonderful organization that helps children through difficult times, and we felt they were very deserving of this donation."

Since its creation in 1987, the Iowa Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 2,500 wishes to children ages 2 1/2 to 18. Children who receive the wish have a life-threatening medical condition, but not always terminal. The wishes granted generally fall into four categories:
* Trips - Disney World, Hawaii, cruises, etc.
* Gifts - computers, hot tubs, room makeovers, etc.
* Occupational - be a train engineer or police officer for a day
* Meet celebrities

Revenues to pay for the wishes come from fund raising events, corporate contributions, foundation grants, individual contributions, memorials and bequests. The average cost to complete a wish in Iowa is approximately $9,000.

The Iowa Chapter serves all 99 counties of the state, and consists of nine staff members and 12 volunteer area committees. There are currently nine dedicated Wish-Granting volunteers in the Southeast Iowa area. A Walk for Wishes fundraising event is scheduled for Dec. 2 at Westland Mall in West Burlington.

For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to become a volunteer, please log onto www.iowa.wish.org or call 1-800-797-WISH (9474).