MLB Umpires Wally Bell and Laz Diaz welcome Astrudge, Flora, Kelvis, and Russell to Yankee Stadium for a game between the Mariners and Yankees. Astrudge is a Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) recruiter for You Gotta Believe! She works to move children in the New York area from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is the direct-service signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that combines the fundraising of Wendy's and its customers, aggressive grants management of the Foundation, and the talent of experienced adoption recruiters throughout the nation and in Canada to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. About the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program

Guest Comments:

"Kelvis and I were taken down beneath Yankee Stadium by Dan Weiss of the Yankees community relations group to meet umpires Wally Bell and Laz Diaz. Together, we walked out onto the baseball field. Mr. Bell and Mr. Diaz were very friendly and both have a great sense of humor; they had us laughing frequently while they described their jobs.

For Kelvis, a Yankee fan in his heart and soul, this was a very special day. I have never seen a more enthusiastic fan who predicted, rather accurately, that the Yankee would win.

Please thank the umpires and Mr. Weiss of the Yankees for giving another one of our WWK kids a fun filled time." - Astrudge McLean

Additional Photos:



Special thanks from the umpires to:

• Dan Weiss, Yankees Community Relations for taking part in BLUE Crew Tickets. The New York Yankees are committed to promoting and sustaining cordial and cooperative relationships with their neighbors and working with them to enhance the quality of life throughout the surrounding communities. Yankees Community Overview


• Chaperone Astrudge McLean for helping provide an enjoyable day at the ballpark.


• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) for your dedication toward dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America’s foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Learn More about DTFA

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