MLB Umpires Laz Diaz and Wally Bell welcome Ben, Xavier, Heather, and Greg to Fenway Park as a part of BLUE Crew Tickets. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a non-profit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America's foster care systems. Wendy's Wonderful Kids is the signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Learn more at http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/

Event Comments

Heather Guyette

Even though the Red Sox lost yesterday, we had an AMAZING time! The baseball
experience was incredible. I would like to believe that for one day, while
taking in all of the sights and sounds of Fenway Park, Ben and Xavier felt like
two kids enjoying a ball game rather than two kids in foster care. As an agency
as well as a larger community, I strongly believe that we can offer waiting
children in foster care far more normalized experiences and yesterday's trip to
Fenway was just that sort of experience! While I cannot speak for Ben and
Xavier, I'm sure their feedback would be valuable for you as you assess the
experience and your work with the Dave Thomas Foundation.

Kate Dempsey of the Red Sox Community Relations group was welcoming and personable and escorted us directly on to the field where we stood in wonderment. We were greeted by umpire's Laz Diaz and Wally Bell who were warm, friendly, and genuinely invested in making the experience memorable for Ben and Xavier. I think the boys felt even more special when curious onlookers were not permitted to approach the umpires when they met with Ben and Xavier. Ben and Xavier marveled at the souvenirs that they were given by the umpires as well as a bag of Red Sox goodies from Kate. They pointed out their favorite players, prayed for a home run, sampled the concessions and wore their Red Sox gear proudly. The temperature neared 90 degrees and though acknowledging the heat, the boys did
not mutter a single complaint- with the exception of the game loss....They both
snored in the back seat on the way home.

Greg and I feel equally honored to have shared the game experience with Ben and Xavier. We are truly grateful for the invitation and would be delighted to provide any additional feedback that would make the continuation of the baseball experience possible. I believe that BLUE for Kids and The Dave Thomas Foundation have created something truly incredible.

Carolyn LaCaresse

I met with both the boys who went to the Red Sox game on July 15 and thought you would like their feedback. They were both thrilled at having gone down on the field and expressed their pleasure that other fans were looking at them, wondering what made them that important. Xavier stated that his favorite part was the autographed ball. Ben really enjoyed being able to watch a game, but wished David Ortiz had hit a homerun! Both boys said they wouldn't have changed anything about the game and realize that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. So thank you again for providing these deserving boys that chance to enjoy Fenway Park!

Special Thanks To

• Kate Dempsey and the entire Red Sox Community Relations team for assistance at the ballpark.
• Heather and Greg Guyette for taking time and being with the boys for this special day.
• Carolyn LaCaresse, Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter
• Robin Campbell, Connie Ackert, and Rita Soronen of The Dave Thomas Foundation for working with us to provide experiences for children in foster care awaiting adoption.

Labels: bell, bos, crew, diaz, mlb, wwk