The Carroll Chamber of Commerce named Pat and Alie Tigges of Carroll the 2022 Humanitarians of the Year for their work creating one of the only all-inclusive playgrounds in western Iowa, Kellan’s Kingdom and the Miracle League ballpark. For years, the Tigges’ had dreamed of having a park for their son Kellan, who was born with a condition similar to cerebral palsy, to play like any other kid his age. During Monday’s banquet, Jon Heim presented the award and called the couple a force of nature.
After countless fundraisers and city meetings, Kellan’s Kingdom finally opened in Carroll’s Northeast Park in 2019. However, the Tiggeses weren’t finished. The outpouring of support from the community inspired them to fundraise for an all-inclusive Miracle League field, which allows athletes of any ability to play America’s pastime. The surfacing for that field was laid in 2020, and official Miracle League play is expected to begin later this summer. Pat says it was their dream, and the community was 100 percent behind them from the start.
Their efforts on Kellan’s Kingdom and Carroll’s Miracle Field have inspired others in western Iowa to start similar projects in their communities. Alie says it is now common for people to reach out and seek guidance on how to make their own all-inclusive playground happen.
Pat and Alie joined Carroll Broadcasting on KCIM Wednesday morning. That full interview is included with this story on our website. Other award recipients from Monday’s Carroll Chamber of Commerce banquet include: Citizen of the Year, Matt Greteman; New Business, Journey Senior Services; Heritage Business, Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home; and two Public Service Awards, Rod Roberts and Sharon Olerich. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more from these winners in upcoming newscasts.
