Matt Holliday and Adam Wainwright announce new Homers for Health co-chairs
JUPITER, FL (March 5, 2015) – St. Louis Cardinals Matt Holliday and Adam Wainwright announced their new co-chairs of the Homers for Health and K’s for Kids program for 2015. Holliday will be “going to the Matt’s” this year with his new co-chairs on the hitter’s side, first baseman Matt Adams and third basemen Matt Carpenter. Teaming up with starter Wainwright will be fan favorite and closer, Trevor Rosenthal.
Homers for Health is presented by Laclede Gas and benefits patients at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Fans can make a pledge for every home run hit by a Cardinal hitter or for every strikeout thrown by a Cardinal pitcher. Since 2012, Homers for Health has raised $1.7 million to benefit the medical center, thanks to the generosity of fans across Cardinals Nation.
“It’s been amazing what we have been able to accomplish in three short years,” said Holliday. “We want this program to last for decades to come, long after we are done playing. Because of the incredible response we’ve received from fans all over the country, year after year, we’re hopeful that will happen. It’s all about improving the lives of sick and injured children,” Holliday continued.
Donations to Homers for Health have gone to improving departments and programs at SSM Cardinal Glennon and creating child-friendly spaces in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Costas Center and Imaging Center, where children receive the lowest dose, safest radiation treatments in a colorful and interactive environment.
Laclede Gas has stepped up to the plate again this year, now as Presenting Sponsor of Homers for Health. They will also return as Presenting Sponsor of the second annual Homers for Health Game Shows event to be held at Ballpark Village on April 14, along with Fox Sports Midwest.
“We’ve been so impressed by the direct impact Homers for Health has had on the children and families of Cardinal Glennon, we wanted to do more,” said Steve Lindsey, president of Laclede Gas Company. “It takes a community to make this happen, which is why Laclede Gas is thrilled to increase our support this year.” Also announced were plans for the third year of Game Ball Relay (GBR15), presented by Tech Electronics. The relay of the official Rawlings game ball from SSM Cardinal Glennon to Busch Stadium will take place on home opener Monday, April 13.
A new component to Homers for Health this year is Team Rally, a volunteer fundraising activation team supported by St. Louis RV & Bus. The team will be outside Ballpark Village each home game with an inflatable interactive baseball kiosk, where fans can donate to take a swing or throw a pitch for a prize, with proceeds benefiting the medical center.
The Lids Foundation will present the Home Run Derby Championships on May 15. This year’s Homers for Health corporate sponsorship partners have expanded with retail collection sites at PetroMart, UGas, Lids, Lids Locker Room, Cardinals Clubhouse, Dierbergs and Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods locations. Additional sponsors include Coca-Cola, KTVI Fox 2, KPLR 11, FM NewsTalk 97.1, Now 96.3, 105.7 The Point, CBS Sports 920, STL Today and PocketTube.
Photo caption: Christine Johnson; Laclede Gas, Matt Holliday, Matt Carpenter, Matt Adams, Adam Wainwright, Trevor Rosenthal and Rally Squirrel at the Homers for Health/K’s for Kids Press Conference at Roger Dean Stadium.