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Field of dreams
Site Services employee leads local ballpark restoration
Jermaine Patterson, Site Services, formed a nonprofit to help restore a sports park in New Ellenton.
Top inset: Patterson and a volunteer examine the athletic facilities. Bottom inset: Patterson works on excessing SRNS equipment in 704-1N.
S RNS is proud that so many employees volunteer to with S’roots in the creation of the Savannah River Site, so it’s great to
see contributions from SRNS and a new generation of SRS employees,
make our region a place for everyone to reach their full
potential. For Jermaine Patterson of Site Services, his like Jermaine, who are emerging leaders in our city.”
dream was to restore his childhood sports park in New Ellenton, And Patterson hopes the restored park will foster dreams for a new
South Carolina. generation: “I wanted to find a way to give back, to support new
The New Ellenton Community Ballpark near Greendale Elementary opportunities for kids, residents and businesses,” he explains. “The
was a big part of Patterson’s childhood, and he was among the confinement that surrounded me growing up never confounded what
many kids who watched New Ellenton Rams baseball games and was in me, and some of that hope came from this place.”
used the park’s playground athletic facilities. He went on to play Click below to watch the SRS YouTube channel “Savannah River Site
college basketball and earn his degree at Hamilton College in Field of Dreams” video.
Nebraska, and he credits sports as helping to open doors for his
academic achievements. “This park created opportunities for kids
like me for competition and fun,” Patterson explains.
Newly moved back to New Ellenton, Patterson has rolled up his
sleeves and formed a nonprofit, “Real Dreamerz,” to help restore
the park. Academy Sports has sponsored new basketball goals, and
SRNS has provided a $10,000 grant for Phase 1 of Real Dreamerz’
planned restoration: materials for new bleachers, repairs to the
dugouts and concession stand, basketball court concrete, a new
irrigation system and new fencing. After several cleanup days, the
improvements are expected to pick up in upcoming months.
“New Ellenton is excited that our community is coming together
around this park,” says New Ellenton Mayor Vernon Dunbar, also