For the seventh consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox are sending a group of lucky teens to the Dominican Republic to help out in the community and have some fun while they’re at it.
The program, called "Lindos Suenos" — or "Beautiful Dreams" in English — will have 10 American teenagers team up with 10 Dominican teens to help the disadvantaged communities surrounding the Red Sox Dominican Academy.
The group will spend mornings at Futuro Vivo, a school in Guerra that was founded over 20 years ago and serves more than 900 children and families in the areas surrounding the Red Sox Dominican Academy. The teens will paint and repair outdoor furniture, refurbish a baseball field and spend time with the school’s children.
In the afternoons, the teens will have the chance to play baseball on professional fields under the expert supervision of Jesus Alou, the Red Sox Dominican Academy director. Alou played 15 major league seasons with the Giants, Astros, Athletics and Mets.
Essay applications were received from 23 different states, and each participant underwent an interview process before they were chosen. Applicants were selected based on their love of baseball and passion for community service.
The program will be primarily funded through the Red Sox Foundation and the Charles Engelhard Foundation.
