Matt Holliday announces fifth year of Homers for Health and K’s for Kids

Home run and strikeout program benefits
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

JUPITER, FL (March 6, 2016) – St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday announced the kickoff of his 2016 Homers for Health and K’s for Kids program today, benefiting patients and families of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Holliday is joined again this year by his co-chairs, fellow home run hitter Matt Carpenter, along with Trevor Rosenthal and Adam Wainwright representing the pitchers.

The home run and strikeout pledge program, once again presented by Laclede Gas, invites fans to make a pledge for every home run hit by a Cardinal hitter or for every strikeout thrown by a Cardinal pitcher. Last season, fans from every state in the United States supported Cardinal Glennon kids, raising $1 million, helping the hospital continue to provide world-class pediatric health care to children in our region and beyond.

“We’re proud of our commitment to deliver safe and reliable service every day. But what matters to us more is the people we serve – that’s the real heart of what we do,” said Steve Lindsey, president of Laclede Gas Company. “And what better way to rally this baseball town than with our hometown heroes, who give so much of their time to supporting the kids at Cardinal Glennon. It’s been an honor to sponsor this program, now heading into our third year of support.”

Since the program began in 2012, Homers for Health and K’s for Kids has raised more than $2.7 million to benefit the hospital, thanks to the generosity of fans across Cardinals Nation.

“When my wife Leslee and I started Homers for Health in 2012 we never imagined it would spread all across the country. We’ve really enjoyed watching it grow and seeing the impact it has had on the patients,” said Holliday. “When it comes down to it – we are doing this for the kids and their families, it’s that simple. Cardinals Nation continues to rally around us – who knows what we can accomplish next.”

Donations to Homers for Health and K’s for Kids have gone to support departments and programs at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Improvements have also been made through 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.

Donations to the program benefit the Children’s Fund to meet the immediate needs of the hospital. A portion of the funds from 2015 and 2016 will go to renovating the fourth floor inpatient cancer care unit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The area is part of the original structure of the hospital and plans are in place to create a beach-themed, child friendly environment. This atmosphere will help alleviate stress on patients and families while they are in the hospital for extended periods of time.