Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is proud to introduce you to some very special folks in our area who give their time, talents, energy and resources to an organization that is near and dear to our hearts. Our community is undoubtedly filled with generous people who expect nothing in return other than knowing they make a difference in someone’s life.
Truthfully, the faces you see on the cover of this month’s magazine don’t really require introductions. You’ve seen them on television, on the fields and out and about in our hometown. But did you know that collectively, this group has come together to make some pretty fantastic magic happen for our Newtown Edgmont Angels?
Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL) is home to our area’s longest-running special needs baseball program called the Challenger Division, which has been in existence for over 30 years now. The program was introduced to NELL by life-long Newtown Square resident Joe Catania, whose two special-needs sons, Jimmy and Luke, were inaugural players. Joe, along with his wife, Maureen and their son, Matt, worked tirelessly to grow the program. Sadly, Joe passed away in 2022, but his legacy lives on; the work continues and the Angels are more than ready for the start of their 2025 season.
Just like NELL’s Little League program, the Challenger Division relies heavily on volunteers and participation from community members. “Getting to know these kids and watching them as they work together as a team is truly a gift,” said Matt. Allan Donato, a Newtown Square resident, is one of the Angels’ volunteers. For Allan, baseball isn’t just his passion; it’s his career. He is the Vice President of ACES, Inc., a full-service professional baseball player representation company. “We handle the negotiation of players’ contracts and represent some of baseball’s biggest names,” Allan said. “It’s safe to say that baseball is my life.”
Allan said that he had known the Catania family for many years, and it didn’t take long before he was out on the field with Jimmy, Luke and the rest of the team. “I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to work with these players,” Allan explained. “I tell people all the time that being on the baseball field with the Angels is what gives me joy. I look forward to every practice and every game.”
When you find something that brings you happiness, it’s natural to want to share it with others. That is exactly what Allan did when his friend and client, Matt Strahm, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2022. Matt, his wife Megan and their daughter Wren settled into a home in Edgmont in April 2023 and quickly got to know Jimmy and Luke through Allan. “All it took was us going to breakfast with them one morning, and I knew that we were going to be great friends,” laughed Matt.
Jimmy and Luke told Matt and his family all about the Angels and invited them to come to watch one of their Sunday night games. Matt’s wife, Megan, recalled how much they enjoyed that first game. “Seeing the team in action and watching how genuinely they supported each other put the biggest smiles on our faces,” she said. “Wren enjoyed herself, too, because as soon as we got there, Jimmy walked over to her and gave her a baseball.” It’s a tradition now that Wren really looks forward to.
As the season got underway, Matt and Megan realized that they were starting to feel that joy that Allan was talking about. “I wanted to be more involved,” Matt said. “So much so that I’d find myself at Citizens Bank Park pitching a Sunday afternoon game, and the minute it was over, I’d be trying to find the fastest route to NELL.” And, on the weeks that the Phillies were out of town, Megan and Wren were there to represent.
It wasn’t long before Matt’s brother, Ben, and his girlfriend, Breanna, heard about the Angels. Like Matt, Ben is a pitcher who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2018 and played in the Minor Leagues for a few years. “Ben started going to the Angels’ games and joined in pitching to them,” Matt said. “He’s now actively involved on the field and quickly became a team favorite!”
Attending and assisting the Angels games has become a family tradition for the Strahms and one that is focused on helping to spread joy to the players, their families and our community. “Matt and Megan noticed that the players were hungry when the games ended, so they arranged for food and ice cream trucks to come to the games,” Allan said. “The Strahms show up and help out in any way they can, and we are so thankful
for their presence and generosity.”
That generosity has been a true gift to the Angels. “My contract with the Phillies contains a donation clause where I am able to choose where that money is spent,” Matt explained. “It makes my family so happy to give these players opportunities, experiences and the gear they need and deserve.”
Allan explained that he and Matt partnered with Victus Sports, based in King of Prussia. “The founders of Victus, Jared Smith and Ryan Engroff, are close friends of mine, and I cannot thank them enough for immediately wanting to be involved when I brought Challenger to them,” Allan said. “They have been amazing to work with and have outfitted our players with everything they need on a field: custom bats, custom gloves and uniforms.”
Another friend of the Catania family is John Newell. He volunteers his time along with his son, Christopher, who currently plays minor league baseball with the Dodgers. John said that having Allan and Matt’s support is incredible. “They are there for the players when nobody is watching, just the players and families,” he remarked. “Allan and Matt don’t do it for the press. They do it for the satisfaction of seeing the Angels play the game they love every Sunday night.”
Allan said he is simply grateful that, through his personal and professional connections, he can put the right people in place to make great things happen for the Angels. “Without Jared Smith, Ryan Engroff and Nate Six at Victus for everything they provide continually, or Charley Stobbs and Kevin Gates at Adidas who provide gear for the players as well every year, or without the Strahm family who have helped shine such a great
light on the league – without any of them I am just another guy giving time on that field to make sure these players enjoy themselves every Sunday,” he said. “I was lucky enough to step into a league started by Joe Catania, Bill Kashatus, and Gary Brooks, who built such a beautiful foundation years ago. It’s those people who have helped make this league so special, and I am just so happy to be a small part of every Sunday that we consider so special.”
“We are one big family,” said Allan. “We watch these kids grow as players and as friends.” He said that in addition to their regular season of games, the team takes time to have fun at holiday parties and end-of-season celebrations. Jimmy and Luke are now regulars at Citizens Bank Park, sitting with Megan and Wren. “Luke likes to give me and my teammates advice after the game,” Matt laughed. “He said he would like to go to Phillies batting practice one day so he can give Kyle Schwarber a few pointers, too.”
Megan and Matt said spending time with the Angels is something they consider a privilege. “We are fortunate to live in this community,” Megan said. “These players and their families bring us more joy than we could have ever imagined.” The Strahms are looking forward to the start of the new season and hope that more of our friends and neighbors join them on the field and in the stands!
Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.