Community Champions Spotlight: Keith Wallace, Miss DeSoto Fast Pitch Softball

The Patterson Foundation believes that individuals, organizations, and communities can achieve their goals by working together. By engaging people, businesses, nonprofits, government, and media around shared aspirations, The Patterson Foundation fosters wide participation to create positive changes that impact us all. In this Community Champions Series, we are spotlighting Keith Wallace, Miss DeSoto Fast Pitch Softball


How long have you lived in DeSoto County?
In my youth, my only memory of Arcadia was driving through town on our way to our family's annual month-long hunting trip to the Everglades. Growing up in Bradenton, Arcadia was simply a place we passed through. Over the years, though, my connection to Arcadia grew. As early as the mid-1990s, my in-laws owned and operated Brenda Lee's Deli, and I spent enough time there that my name found its way onto the wall more than once. In 2010, I made Arcadia my home full-time, and I've loved living here ever since. What began as a town I only drove through has become the community I'm proud to call home.

What programs, organizations, or initiatives are you involved in within DeSoto County?
Over the years, I have been fortunate to serve the DeSoto County community through a variety of programs, initiatives, and organizations focused on youth development, education, and community engagement. As a coach with Miss DeSoto Fastpitch Softball, I help mentor young athletes while also assisting with the maintenance and improvement of our softball facilities. I coached Varsity Softball at DeSoto County High School for 5 years.

I coordinate the Suncoast Remake Learning Days Softball Clinic, which is entering its fourth year. What began as a community event has grown into one of the area's largest youth softball experiences, welcoming 84 players and more than 580 attendees this year. The clinic brings together coaches, families, and volunteers to provide free opportunities for young athletes to learn, grow, and build confidence.

I also volunteer with the DeSoto County Historical Society, helping with educational field trips for local students. During these visits, I demonstrate and explain aspects of history through hands-on experiences with items such as a hand-operated water pump, an outhouse, a telegraph, a typewriter, and even an old-fashioned orange juice squeezer, helping students better understand what everyday life was like in earlier generations.

In addition, I assist with Pioneer Days, helping preserve and celebrate DeSoto County's rich history for residents and visitors alike.

Another way I give back is by bringing joy to children around Christmas, throughout the
community. I've partnered with organizations, including the DeSoto County Library, Step Up Suncoast, Pop-Up Neighbor Through Laundry events, West Elementary School, and other local organizations to create memorable experiences for children and families. In 2019, I volunteered in my wife's classroom and helped out at West Elementary and was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year.

The opportunities and level of involvement I've had throughout DeSoto County are a direct result of my wife, Tonya, and the incredible network of people and organizations she's been involved with over the years. It all started with a simple question from her: "Would you be willing to volunteer?" That one invitation opened doors I never expected and springboarded me into meaningful opportunities to serve, coach, mentor, and become actively involved in our community. I am deeply grateful to Tonya for encouraging me to step forward and for connecting me with so many people who are making a positive difference in DeSoto County. I look forward to continuing this work for many years to come.

What is your favorite thing about DeSoto County?
One of my favorite things about DeSoto County is how generous the community is. The citizens always step up and help support those in need, from those experiencing loss to families with unmet needs, and even local sports organizations. The sense of community continues to reinforce the feeling, as a local resident, that you are welcome and important.

What positive changes have you seen in DeSoto County over the years?
One of the biggest changes I've seen, and I know it's because of my wife's involvement, is the number of people locally who devote so much of their time to providing opportunities and resources to those in need.

What are your aspirations for DeSoto County?
My aspirations for DeSoto County moving forward are for more community engagement, new people stepping up and taking the torch of continuing to build on the many great things that are already taking place. I will continue volunteering, but my passion is to provide as much knowledge to those involved in youth softball as I can, so they continue providing a great experience to the kids playing.

What community members shared:
“Always going above and beyond for Miss DeSoto Softball program.” — Nancy Garcia

“Keith has dedicated years of his free time to the youth softball here in DeSoto and has put on many softball camps for free. He loves mentoring and building these girls up and shows up without question anytime he’s asked for help. He’s never done it for money or appreciation but for the love of our youth and the game of softball. ”He’s a phenomenal man and coach. — Justin Woods