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'Every player is valued, included and celebrated' in Donnie Jones's league

Donnie Jones

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 14, 2026

The city of Hendersonville this month honored Donnie Jones, whose belief that everyone deserved a chance to play team sports and congregate socially has created opportunities for hundreds of children and adults with disabilities across Western North Carolina for 25 years.

Jones founded Special Needs Sports in 2001 after recognizing a gap in recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Henderson County. The Special Needs Baseball League he created has grown to serve more than 200 participants across seven counties.

The proclamation issued by Mayor Barbara Volk and the Hendersonville City Council on June 4 cites Jones’s tireless volunteer leadership in building a program that provides what it describes as “a welcoming environment where every player is valued, included and celebrated.” It also recognizes his efforts to ensure that financial barriers never prevent participation, relying on community partnerships, volunteers, sponsors and charitable donations to keep the program accessible to all.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to belong, participate, and succeed,” the proclamation says, noting that Jones has long referred to the athletes he serves as “my kids” — reflecting the love and personal investment he has brought to his work.

Jones’s commitment to inclusion has extended beyond the playing field. The proclamation noted his advocacy for accessible recreation facilities and programs serving individuals of all abilities throughout the region.

Henderson County previously recognized Jones by naming the Donnie Jones All-Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park in his honor, ensuring that “his legacy of inclusion and service will inspire generations to come.”

The proclamation praises Jones’s “outstanding service, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to the special needs community,” and encourages all citizens to emulate his commitment by “creating opportunities, building community, and demonstrating that there are no limits to what can be accomplished through service, compassion, and inclusion.”