8-year-old signs letter of intent with Heidelberg University softball team

TIFFIN, OH — Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit group, is helping a Tiffin girl fulfill one of her dreams.

Majoli Henkel, 8, of Tiffin, was diagnosed in 2017 with Type 1 diabetes. On Wednesday, Heidelberg University in Tiffin hosted a special Draft Day celebration with Team IMPACT for Majoli at the Saurwein Wellness Center located on Heidelberg’s beautiful campus.

Kelli Williams, head coach of the Heidelberg softball team, delivered special remarks at the event. “We’re always looking to make an impact in our community. And I thought if we can make an imapct in a little girls life, even that young, why not?”

Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, MA that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes.

Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,700 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 49 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes.

The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child’s support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can’t learn in a classroom.