We want to take a moment to thank the Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA) for all that it provides the town and the county.

When thinking of what it provides, thoughts initially turn to abundant opportunities for young athletes to enjoy recreation. They’re able to be physically active, gain important experience socializing with peers and interacting with adults, like their coaches and the umpires, and they also get to absorb all of the remarkably valuable life lessons that can be learned through sports.

PEFYA also creates incredible opportunities for the county and town — all of its diverse threads — to come together as one. The unity on display during the recent spring season opening ceremonies was awesome.

Representatives from almost all of the baseball and softball teams playing in the association this spring filed out onto a field at the PEFYA Field of Dreams complex. These representatives ranged in age from the youngest eligible players to the oldest, and coaches were there too. Coaches included moms, dad, pastors, prominent business people, a Farmville town councilman and more.

Everyone doffed their caps and bowed their heads as the ceremonies were opened in prayer. Then James Redford led his 5-year-old daughter, Savannah, a softball player, to the mound where she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” as everyone turned to face the flag flying beyond the outfield.

Members of the 2017 PEFYA Ponytails, Minors and Debs teams were summoned to the infield to recognize their achievement of reaching their respective World Series tournaments.

Representing the county government was Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Pattie Cooper-Jones, who briefly addressed the crowd and threw out the ceremonial first pitch for both baseball and softball.

It was a time of unity made possible by the mutual desire of all to come out to the field and watch their children and grandchildren play ball together. Thank you for providing that opportunity, PEFYA.