Lindos Suenos (Beautiful Dreams) with the Red Sox

Joe Roberto participating
in Lindos Suenos

Like many of us in the region, I am an avid Red Sox fan. I do my best watch an inning or two  whenever possible. I spend the winter combing the news for trade rumors and potential free agent signings. And, most importantly, I am training my two boys to root for the hometown team (and not the team in pinstripes). Despite my devotion to the Sox, I'm the first to admit that I haven't tuned into NESN much since the team's September collapse. I'm glad to report that that tomorrow there is good cause for the Nipmuc community to tune back to NESN for a Red Sox update we can all be proud of.

On Wednesday (11/16) at 3pm, 6pm, and 10:30pm "The Red Sox Report" will be showcasing Lindos Suenos - a great program that senior Joe Roberto had the chance to be a part of this past summer. Run by the Red Sox, Lindos Suenos (which translates to "beautiful dreams") is a summer program that allows students to combine their passion for volunteerism and baseball in a unique 10 days of service in the Dominican Republic.

Joe first learned about the program from the team's website. He was excited about the opportunity and made the effort to apply to be part of the experience. Before long, he was called to attend an interview at 4 Yawkey Way where - surrounded by trophies and memorabilia from Red Sox history - he interviewed with team officials. A few weeks later, Joe learned that he was selected to be one of 10 students from across the country to participate in this life-changing experience.

As a member of this select group, Joe travelled to the Dominican Republic for 10 days beginning in the end of July and continuing into August. Each day, Joe and his teammates would spend approximately five hours providing community service including repairing three houses and one school. After volunteering, the team would head to the baseball field where they would get professional instruction from Red Sox coaches and have the chance to compete against local teams.

A student in the Spanish Immersion program, Joe benefitted from having a strong knowledge of Spanish that made it easy for him to carry on conversations with everyone he met. He told me that there was "never any moment when [he] needed someone to explain what they were saying." Rather than spending time trying to master the language, Joe was able to enjoy this opportunity to have a new experience. When I asked him what lesson from his trip stands out the most, he was quick in telling me that the experience has given him "a new outlook on life" and has made him "more appreciative of what [he] has." It was clear to me that while the program may have provided some tips that will improve his ability as a baseball player, the true benefits of the experience are the life lessons that he gained from this "beautiful dream."