Lots to celebrate as UMPS CARE hosts its 250th visit to a pediatric hospital since the charity was formed in 2006! MLB Umpires Clint Vondrak, Bruce Dreckman and Todd Tichenor were joined by volunteers from the Arby’s Foundation as 125 Build-A-Bear® furry friends were delivered to patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver.
Children in hospitals have received a Build-A-Bear® from MLB Umpires
MLB Umpires Clint Vondrak, Bruce Dreckman and Todd Tichenor took time out from working games in Colorado to bring joy to young patients in the hospital.
For the last 20 years, Major League Baseball Umpires have been giving back to communities across the country and in Canada through their philanthropy – UMPS CARE Charities. Umpire crews take time out to deliver joy (and Build-A-Bear® fun) to children in pediatric hospitals.
Major League Baseball Umpires working the Colorado Rockies-Washington Nationals series in Denver – Todd Tichenor, Bruce Dreckman and Clint Vondrak – spent the day delivering 100 Build-A-Bear Workshop® furry friends, outfits and more to young patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado. The kids and their families really loved the experience, and their spirits were lifted by the visit.
Today’s visit marked the 250th delivery of Build-A-Bear® furry friends through UMPS CARE Charities, the official philanthropy of the Major League Baseball Umpires.
Joining the umpires in the fun was Colorado Rockies mascot, Dinger, the lovable purple Triceratops!
“UMPS CARE Charities has hit a lot of milestones in this, our 20th anniversary year,” said UMPS CARE Charities Executive Director Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt. “Today marked the 250th visit in our charity’s history to a pediatric hospital and with this visit, Major League Baseball Umpires have now delivered 25,515 furry friends to children undergoing medical treatment. If we tried to fill Coors Field with all of these stuffed toys, we’d fill more than half of the seats in the stadium!”
UMPS CARE Charities wishes to thank the Arby’s Foundation, Major League Baseball, the Colorado Rockies, the staff at Children’s Hospital Colorado and our donors for their financial and volunteer support for this event. The Arby’s Foundation recently awarded UMPS CARE with a generous grant to make this visit possible.
Colorado Rockies mascot, Dinger, proved to be a big hit at this milestone visit!
