Major League Baseball umpires Alan Porter, Jim Wolf and Mike Muchlinski (above) met with young patients at Boston Children’s Hospital and delivered 100 Build-A-Bear Workshop® furry friends, outfits, activity books and more to young patients undergoing treatment. These kids and their families really loved the experience and their spirits were lifted by the visit. This umpire crew is working the series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox this week at Fenway Park.
In addition, the umpires welcomed some patients in the Seacrest Studio, a broadcast media center that provides programming across the hospital, including on the television in every patient’s room.
This delivery at Boston Children’s Hospital marks our 194th visit to a children’s hospital. To date, UMPS CARE has delivered 19,765 Build-A-Bear® furry friends to children undergoing medical treatment in pediatric hospitals across the country and in Canada. By the end of this season, UMPS CARE will reach a special milestone of delivering 20,000 stuffed toys to children!
“The Major League Baseball umpires are thrilled they were able to return to Boston Children’s Hospital and deliver Build-A-Bear® furry friends to kids who need a dose of joy while they are undergoing treatment,” said UMPS CARE Charities Executive Director Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt. “All of us at UMPS CARE are grateful to be able to run this program in person again.”
Special thanks to our partners at the Arby’s Foundation, Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Umpire Association (MLBUA), the staff at Boston Children’s Hospital and our donors for their financial and volunteer support for the Blue for Kids hospital program.
Thank you, Cindy M. Loo for capturing the smiles!
Build-A-Bears that umpires have delivered to kids in hospitals since 2006
Loved bringing smiles to the faces of so many kids! Thanks to MLB Umpires (L to R) Jim Wolf, Alan Porter and Mike Muchlinski for taking part in this amazing visit at Boston Children’s Hospital. (Photo credit: Cindy M. Loo)
The MLB umpires spent some time talking with kids at the Seacrest Studio!