(L to R Brock Ballou, David Rackley, Chris Guccione and Edwin Moscoso- members of the MLB Umpire crew working in Kansas City this week – take time out to bring smiles to the faces of young patients at Children’s Mercy.)
Members of the Major League Baseball Umpire crew working the Kansas City Royals-LA Angeles series- stopped by Children’s Mercy this morning to deliver 100 Build-A-Bear Workshop® furry friends, outfits, baseball-themed activity books, crafts and more to children undergoing hospital treatment. Sluggerrr – the Royals’ loveable mascot – joined in the fun!
The goal of the program is to bring some fun and baseball magic to kids who are facing medical challenges.
This visit to Children’s Mercy marks the 238th delivery of Build-A-Bear® furry friends that UMPS CARE Charities since the program was created in 2006. Including the visit today, UMPS CARE has now delivered MORE THAN 24,000 Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys (24,265 to be exact!) to children in hospitals across the country and in Canada.
“Seeing a child’s face light up when they get to choose a Build-A-Bear® cuddy toy is what it’s all about,” said UMPS CARE Charities Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt. “The Major League Baseball Umpires spend most of the summer away from their families and know how much it means to give back to kids who are away from home, too.”
The Arby’s Foundation has been generously funding our UMPS CARE Blue For Kids Hospital Program for several years, and volunteers from local Arby’s restaurants participated in this visit alongside the umpire crew.
UMPS CARE Charities is proud to partner with Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Umpire Association, the Kansas City Royals, The Arby’s Foundation and generous monthly donors to make this event possible. Special thanks also go to the staff at Children’s Mercy for making this visit possible.
