MLB Umpires Todd Tichenor, Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman and Bruce Dreckman welcome Yamil, Joey, Lindsey, and Elsa to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. Through the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide VIP game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

MLB Umpires applaud the efforts of Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption recruiters. 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 to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Wendy's Wonderful Kids

A special thanks to Kate Dempsey, Sarah Stevenson and the entire Red Sox community relations staff for support of BLUE Crew Tickets. See how the Red Sox are making a difference in the community. Red Sox Community Overview

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, bos, crew, davis, dreckman, gorman, mlb, tichenor, wwk

MLB Umpires Fieldin Culbreth, Gary Cederstrom, Jim Reynolds, and Tim Timmons welcome Thomas, Santiago, Joe, and Ruven to Kauffman Stadium for a Royals game. Through the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide VIP game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

MLB Umpires recognize the direct and lasting impact that adult mentors have in the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the United States. About Big Brothers Big Sisters

A special thanks to Toby Cook, Ben Aken, and the entire Royals community relations staff for support of BLUE Crew Tickets. See how the Royals are making a difference in the community. Royals Community Overview

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, bbbs, cederstrom, crew, culbreth, kc, mlb, reynolds, timmons

MLB Umpires Brian Knight, Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman and Bruce Dreckman welcome Lakeisha, Don, Connie, and Aaron to Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game. Through the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide VIP game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

MLB Umpires applaud the efforts of Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption recruiters. 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 to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Wendy's Wonderful Kids

A special thanks to Jessica Illert, Mark Taylor and the entire Cardinals community relations staff for support of BLUE Crew Tickets. See how the Cardinals are making a difference in the community. Cardinals Community Overview

GUEST COMMENTS (from Connie)

Lakeisha and Don had so much fun. They said "it was so cool going on the field." Our host umpire, Bruce Dreckman, was really nice and engaging. He spent a lot of time with the teens on the field, even though it was incredibly hot! After a come from behind win by the Cardinals on a sweltering Sunday afternoon, the teens said "This was so much fun! Thanks for bringing us." Thank you to the entire umpiring crew and the St. Louis Cardinals for offering such a special experience.

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, crew, davis, dreckman, gorman, knight, mlb, stl, wwk

MLB Umpires Laz Diaz, Wally Bell, Paul Schrieber, and Kerwin Danley welcome Nima, James, Rob, and Mustafa to Rogers Centre for a Blue Jays game. Through the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide VIP game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

MLB Umpires recognize the direct and lasting impact that adult mentors have in the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the United States. About Big Brothers Big Sisters

A special thanks to Penni Wheeler, Holly Purdon, and the entire Blue Jays community relations staff for support of BLUE Crew Tickets. See how the Blue Jays are making a difference in the community. Blue Jays Community Overview

GUEST COMMENT (Mustafa)

We had an amazing time! Thank you to the Major League umpires and the Toronto Blue Jays for making this outing possible for us. We truly appreciate it. Mr. Diaz and Mr. Bell were really inspirational to the two young boys.

GUEST COMMENT (Rob)

I would like to thank you for a wonderful day at the game and the opportunity for the littles to enjoy a unique baseball experience.

ADDITONAL PHOTOS

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, bbbs, bell, crew, danley, diaz, mlb, schrieber, tor

MLB Umpire Bob Davidson welcomes Kim, Alfredo, Javier, and Arnulfo to Angel Stadium for a game between the Mariners and the Angels. Kim is a Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) recruiter for Kinship Center in Los Angeles. She works to move children in the Los Angeles 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. Learn More about the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program

Guest Comments:

"We had a great time! The brothers had never been to a game before so it was very exciting to them. Lindsay McHolm of the Angels introduced us to Bob Davidson who made the day possible. All of the umpires (Bob, Mike Reilly, Alfonzo Marquez, and Andy Fletcher) signed their baseballs and the boys kept pointing the men out on the field while we watched the game. They said they liked baseball before but now LOVED it!!! This was an amazing day for the boys and I loved seeing it through their eyes! Thank you so much for the great day even though the Angels lost :( It meant so much to the kids." - Kim Felder

Additional Photos:



Special Thanks From The Umpires To:

• Lindsay McHolm, Community Relations Coordinator, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels have been active in the community throughout the team's 45-year history. Angels Community Overview


• Kim Felder of Kinship Center for helping provide an enjoyable day at the ballpark and for all that you do to find loving homes for children in the Los Angeles area.


• 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

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, crew, davidson, laa, mlb, wwk

MLB Umpires Rick Reed, Jeff Kellogg, Mark Wegner, and Chad Fairchild welcome Staci, Jessica, Marcus, and Cameron to Minute Maid Park for an Astros game. Through the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide VIP game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

MLB Umpires applaud the efforts of Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption recruiters. 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 to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Wendy's Wonderful Kids

Guest Comments (Jessica)

"Dear Mr. Mark Wegner: It was a pleasure meeting with you down on the field. The boys were excited from the moment they heard they were going to have the opportunity to go to a live game. It was great to meet all the wonderful people that made this day possible. Shawn Bertani of the Astros took us on a tour while we were heading down to the field. Marcus had the opportunity to get a baseball that the Rockies had just hit during practice. Mark you asked us to cheer for you in case there was a call that you had to make that the fans did not agree. Trust me when I tell you that behind all the fans uproar we were cheering for you. We were able to capture a picture when the Astro’s coach became heated with the umpire.

Thank you again for giving the children the opportunity to attend this event. This night was the first Astros game that Marcus and Cameron had attended."

Additional Photos:



Special Thanks From The Umpires To:

• Shawn Bertani, Astros Director of Community Affairs for meeting our guests at the ballpark. The Houston Astros consider being a part of the community just as important as throwing strikes and hitting home runs. Astros Community Overview


• Staci Prince and Jessica Trapani of Spaulding for Children for enjoying the game with the kids and for all that you do to find loving homes for children in the Houston area.


• 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

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, crew, fairchild, hou, kellogg, mlb, reed, wegner, wwk

MLB Umpires Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman, Bruce Dreckman, and Sam Holbrook welcome Connie, Liz, Charles, and Johnetta to Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game. Through the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide VIP game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

MLB Umpires applaud the efforts of Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption recruiters. 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 to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Wendy's Wonderful Kids

GUEST COMMENTS (from Liz)

"Mr. Holbrook, the kids loved their experience and being able to see the umpires behind the scenes...all of the umpires and Mark Taylor (Cardinals Community Relations) were very engaging and friendly. Most important, the kids were made to feel very comfortable and special and will be able to keep these memories for a lifetime. Johnetta asked “when can we come back?” and Charles stated that he had a great time and loved having great seats to watch the game. Thank you so much!"

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS



SPECIAL THANKS TO

• Mark Taylor, St. Louis Cardinals Community Relations for taking part in BLUE Crew Tickets. Learn more about what the Cardinals do for nearby communities. Cardinals Community Overview


• Connie Doty and Liz Johnson of Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition for helping provide an enjoyable day at the ballpark and for all that you do to find loving homes for children in the St. Louis area.


• 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

Labels: 2008crewsponsors, crew, davis, dreckman, gorman, holbrook, mlb, stl, wwk