Blue For Kids

Blue for Kids Hospital Program

In the game of life, it’s not just about balls and strikes. That’s why baseball’s men in blue are giving back to Major League Baseball communities across the country. Umpires, along with UMPS CARE Charities volunteers, take time out to hand deliver Build-A-Bear® furry friends, outfits, baseball-themed activity books and more to kids undergoing medical treatment at pediatric hospitals across the country and in Canada. 

 

 

+ Build-A-Bears® Delivered Since 2006

Hospital Visits Since 2006

The Blue for Kids hospital program brings a crew of Major League umpires to the bedside of children with life-threatening illnesses, and they don’t come empty-handed. Each crew brings a Build-A-Bear® Workshop experience right to the hospital room!

While a hospital stay can be a frightening time for children and their families, the Blue for Kids program lifts the spirits of all involved. Children outfit stuffed teddy bears, puppies or monkeys while sharing high-fives and words of encouragement with the Blue for Kids crew. When available, the home team mascot tags along making it a fun and memorable day.

In a typical season, UMPS CARE makes between 15 to 17 hospital visits, and we are THRILLED to be returning to in-person visits!

We are grateful to the following sponsors who help make this program possible: Arby’s Foundation, Eisai, Inc., Major League Baseball, Ares Management, Huron, the MLBUA, Ump AttireMelanie Ahern, Peter Marcus, Stephen Joseph, Friends of Jimmy Miller, Official-ly FORE Kids, MLB umpires Brennan Miller and Chris Segal (hosts of the East Coast Classic), among others.

To join this crew of supporters, email Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt at Jenn@UmpsCare.com.

Melanie Ahern

 

Jody Cox and Mike Barile

Peter Marcus

 

Stephen Joseph

 

Gail Rosewater

 

Stephen J. Wolfe Foundation

Our BLUE for Kids program visit at The Children’s Hospital At Montefiore in The Bronx was spotlighted by USA TODAY! Check out the story and VIDEO!

2024 Hospital Visits – Photo Galleries

February 13

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital

Houston, TX

Photos By Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital

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2023 Hospital Visits – Photo Galleries

MAY 31

Boston Children’s Hospital

Boston, MA

Photos By Cindy Loo

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JUNE 1

Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

New York, NY

Photos By Children’s Hospital at Montefiore 

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JUNE 21

UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s

Chicago, IL

Photos By UChicago Medicine

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JUNE 27

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle, WA

Photos By Ben Vanhouten

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JULY 18

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

Photos By Abigail Dean

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AUGUST 15

Rady Children’s

San Diego, CA

Photos By Chuck Hunter

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AUGUST 16

UCLA Mattel Children’s

Los Angeles, CA

Photos By UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital

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AUGUST 23

Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Cleveland, OH

Photos By Ken Blaze

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AUGUST 23

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Baltimore, MD

Photos By Johns Hopkins Medicine

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AUGUST 29

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

St. Louis, MO

Photos By William Greenblatt

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AUGUST 30

Children’s Hospital Colorado

Denver, CO

Photos By Children’s Hospital Colorado

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SEPTEMBER 19

Primary Intermountain Children’s

Salt Lake City, UT

Photos By Primary Children’s Hospital

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OCTOBER 26

Children’s National Hospital

Washington, D.C.

Photos By Mike Buscher

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NOVEMBER 7

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

St. Petersburg, Florida

Photos By Natalie White

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NOVEMBER 10

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Hartford, Connecticut

Photos By Katie Pinette Studios

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2022 Hospital Visits

JULY 19

UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital

Los Angeles, CA

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AUGUST 2

Comer Children’s Hospital

Chicago, IL

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AUGUST 9

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Baltimore, MD

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August 17

Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

New York, NY

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AUGUST 31

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Chicago, IL

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SEPTEMBER 14

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

St. Louis, MO

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SEPTEMBER 14

Boston Children’s Hospital

Boston, MA

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SEPTEMBER 27

Primary Children’s Hospital 

Salt Lake City, UT

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October 27

Children’s Hospital Colorado

Aurora, Colorado

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2020 Hospital Visits

JUNE 16

Comer Children’s Hospital

Chicago, IL

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JULY 7

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Baltimore, MD

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August 11

Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

New York, NY

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2019 Hospital Visits

May 13

Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Phoenix, AZ

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May 22

The Hospital for Sick Kids

Toronto, Canada

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May 29

Comer Children’s Hospital

Chicago, IL

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June 5

The Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, OH

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June 18

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle, WA

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July 17

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Baltimore, MD

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July 23

Children’s National Medical Center

Washington, DC

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July 24

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

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July 30

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center

Cincinnati, OH

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August 13

Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

New York, NY

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August 15

The Zone at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

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August 21

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

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August 27

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

San Francisco, CA

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August 28

Rady Children’s Hospital

San Diego, CA

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September 4

Boston Children’s Hospital

Boston, MA

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September 10

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital

Houston, TX

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