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 Attire, Melanie 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
2023 Hospital Visits – Photo Galleries
MAY 31
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, MA
Photos By Cindy Loo
JUNE 1
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
New York, NY
Photos By Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
JUNE 21
UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s
Chicago, IL
Photos By UChicago Medicine
JUNE 27
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Seattle, WA
Photos By Ben Vanhouten
JULY 18
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Photos By Abigail Dean
AUGUST 15
Rady Children’s
San Diego, CA
Photos By Chuck Hunter
AUGUST 16
UCLA Mattel Children’s
Los Angeles, CA
Photos By UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
AUGUST 23
Cleveland Clinic Children’s
Cleveland, OH
Photos By Ken Blaze
AUGUST 23
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Baltimore, MD
Photos By Johns Hopkins Medicine
AUGUST 29
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
St. Louis, MO
Photos By William Greenblatt
SEPTEMBER 19
Primary Intermountain Children’s
Salt Lake City, UT
Photos By Primary Children’s Hospital
OCTOBER 26
Children’s National Hospital
Washington, D.C.
Photos By Mike Buscher
NOVEMBER 7
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida
Photos By Natalie White
NOVEMBER 10
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Hartford, Connecticut
Photos By Katie Pinette Studios
2022 Hospital Visits
JULY 19
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
Los Angeles, CA
AUGUST 2
Comer Children’s Hospital
Chicago, IL
AUGUST 9
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Baltimore, MD
August 17
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
New York, NY
AUGUST 31
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, IL
SEPTEMBER 14
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
St. Louis, MO
SEPTEMBER 14
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, MA
SEPTEMBER 27
Primary Children’s Hospital
Salt Lake City, UT
October 27
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado
2020 Hospital Visits
JUNE 16
Comer Children’s Hospital
Chicago, IL
JULY 7
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Baltimore, MD
August 11
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
New York, NY
2019 Hospital Visits
May 13
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix, AZ
May 22
The Hospital for Sick Kids
Toronto, Canada
May 29
Comer Children’s Hospital
Chicago, IL
June 5
The Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
June 18
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Seattle, WA
July 17
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Baltimore, MD
July 23
Children’s National Medical Center
Washington, DC
July 24
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
July 30
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center
Cincinnati, OH
August 13
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
New York, NY
August 15
The Zone at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
August 21
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
August 27
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital
San Francisco, CA
August 28
Rady Children’s Hospital
San Diego, CA
September 4
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, MA
September 10
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
Houston, TX