Build-A-Bear Furry Friends Delivered to Kids In Hospitals By UMPS CARE Since 2006!
In the middle of the World Series, Major League Baseball Umpires Brennan Miller and Chris Segal delivered baseball fun to young patients at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
They took time out to deliver 100 Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys to young patients at Children’s National Hospital. In addition, the umpires will bring outfits for the new furry friends – including some Halloween costumes – along with baseball-themed activity books, crayons and crafts and more.
Including the visit today at Children’s National Hospital, UMPS CARE Charities, Major League Baseball Umpires has delivered more than 22,500 Build-A-Bear® toys to children undergoing treatment in hospitals across the country and in Canada. Our visit at Children’s National Hospital marks our 222nd hospital visit since 2006.
Miller and Segal, who grew up in Northern Virginia, hosted the East Coast Classic Golf Tournament earlier this month to raise funds for this hospital visit. It was the fourth year in a row the two umpires have run the tournament to make visits to Children’s National Hospital an annual event.
Joining in the fun was the Washington Nationals’ mascot, Screcch, who is always a hit with kids (of all ages)! Thank you to our friends at the Nats, for making that magic happen!
“The Major League Baseball umpires know that many young patients cannot go and trick or treat this Halloween, so they decided to bring the fun to the kids,” said UMPS CARE Charities Executive Director Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt. “The umpires know that helping people is an easy call to make, and they are excited to bring a dose of joy to these kids.”
Special thanks to our partners at Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Umpire Association and our UMPS CARE Charities donors for their financial and volunteer support for the Blue for Kids hospital program. We are grateful for the continued support of the staff at Children’s National Hospital for their help with this visit.
Thanks also to photography David Starry for capturing so many special moments from the day! To view the photo gallery from this visit, click HERE or on the button below!
