A story written by Dennis McCarthy in the Los Angeles Daily News has inspired someone else to join in a 27-mile walk to Dodger Stadium.

When Mark Steele read about Gary Wolber walking to Dodger Stadium to raise money for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, he picked up the phone.

"I called Gary and asked if he'd like some company on his walk and he said, 'Yes!'" Mark said by cell phone, half way through his lengthy walk. Gary was walking by his side the entire time, navigating the all-day walk from Granada Hills to Stadium Way.

The two men have something in common. Gary is walking to raise an expected $2,500 for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA on behalf of his son, who is autistic. Mark is walking to raise awareness for his project, The Miracle League, which creates an opportunity for children with disabilities to play baseball.

"The Miracle League is a nationwide organization. I learned about it a while back and was intrigued by the idea. I contacted them because I wanted to do it for a while with the Oasis Arena Project, forming a non-profit, and using the building revenue to promote certain events while investing some of the money back into needy organizations and community programs," Mark explained. "We're starting with awareness along with some concerts. I struck a deal with the Canyon Club in Agoura to start producing some shows. The first one is a rock and roll show next Tuesday and we hope to have a show once a month with a series of club dates to raise money for our own Miracle League in the Valley."

As Gary will throw out the first ball at Dodger Stadium for tonight's Dodger game, Mark is hoping Major League Baseball might become a major supporter of The Miracle League.

"When they built a Miracle League field in Chicago, the owner of the Chicago White Sox underwrote the entire cost of the whole field. The cost is $800,000 to $1,000,000. The time frame is variable. In an ideal world, we'd have the money in six months. We're starting to raise awareness for it with donors and sponsors. This is a launching pad as we develop capital. Once people see the need, we´ll get capital behind us to build a field," Mark said. "There's a possibility we could work with a site that is government owned. Typically, they want us to do it near a park or near a little league field program so able-bodied children can interact with children with disabilities. As a result, families learn about giving back and volunteering."

Mark Steele's name is well known in the Warner Center area as he is proposing the Oasis Events Center, a $100 million, 10,000 seat, sports and entertainment arena.

"For the Oasis, by the end of June, we may be in a position to have a negotiating agreement with a site that is owned by an individual. Our financial people and his attorneys will meet a week from today. I hope in 30 to 60 days we could announce that we have a site in the Warner Center/Woodland Hills area for the Oasis," Mark noted.

As an occasional cameraman stops to take pictures of Wolber and Steele on their walk, the two men are reminded of their individual missions that have brought them together.

"The bottom line goal from the walk is awareness. I want people to read about Gary's son and what he's doing for the Mattel Children's Hospital," Mark added, "The Miracle League is for children with disabilities and maybe Gary's son would play at our field one day. Our goals are similar because we both want to do something to help people."

For more information about Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, visit www.mattel.ucla.edu.

For more information about The Miracle League, visit www.miracleleague.com.