(L to R) Roberto Ortiz, Alex MacKay, Alan Porter and Jim Wolf – members of the Major League Baseball Umpire crew working the Chicago White Sox-Pittsburgh Pirates series celebrated National Teddy Bear Day at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital (Photo by Melissa Ferrara)
Children in hospitals have received a Build-A-Bear® from MLB Umpires
Members of the Major League Baseball Umpire crew working the Chicago White Sox series against the Pittsburgh Pirates took time out to deliver 100 Build-A-Bear Workshop® to young patients undergoing treatment at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, September 9 – which just happens to be National Teddy Bear Day!
MLB Umpires Alan Porter, Jim Wolf, Roberto Ortiz and Alex MacKay participated in the visit, delivering stuffed toys, outfits, goodie bags with baseball-themed activity books, TOPPS baseball cards and more to children in need of comfort.
Through UMPS CARE Charities – the official philanthropy of the Major Lague Baseball Umpires – more than 25,000 children in pediatric hospitals have received a new Build-A-Bear Workshop® furry friend since 2006. The charity, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, started making hospital deliveries with the simple goal of lifting the spirits of kids near ballparks where the umpires worked.
“What is more fun on National Teddy Bear Day than delivering new furry friends to children in hospitals?” said UMPS CARE Charities Executive Director Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt. “This is one call that is very easy to make – bringing comfort to a child.”
Special thanks to Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Umpire Association (MLBUA) and to longtime UMPS CARE supporter Melanie Ahern for their financial and volunteer support for the Blue for Kids hospital program and to the staff at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital.
