Houston Astros’ players giving back to the community

With the holiday season upon us and nearing the end of 2018, let’s shine a light on the Astros’ players for their contributions to the community.

We are midway through the offseason, Winter Meetings have passed us by and the 2019 Spring Training season is right around the corner. Top baseball executives, team owners and the player’s agents are in full negotiation mode. The sports pages and websites are dominated by rumors, trade news and free agent signings. What better time than the holiday season, to reflect on the good tidings of the charitable contributions by the Astros’ players to our community.

A perfect example of the humanitarian efforts by an Astro took place as recently as this past Saturday. Justin Verlander hosted a Christmas event, held by the Wins for Warriors Foundation, for veterans, military members and their families. Verlander has donated $1 million dollars to various veteran nonprofit organizations and has hosted over 5000 veterans and their family members to attend games in his suite at Minute Maid Park.

Wins for Warriors, founded by Verlander in 2016, also had their 4th annual Grand Slam Adoption Event at Minute Maid Park in September. The event was hosted by Verlander and his wife, supermodel Kate Upton, also in attendance were Lance McCullers Jr. and his wife, Kara. The annual event is to raise funds for adoptable dogs to be trained as service animals and donated to veterans.

"“We’re excited to have this event for the first time ever in Houston,” Upton said. “The Grand Slam Adoption event pairs together our passions of finding loving homes for adoptable dogs, and providing service dogs for military veterans.” via abc13"

Lance McCullers Jr. and his wife are no strangers to donating their time and resources to helping the animal community of the local area. The Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation is dedicated to raising the awareness and funds for pet adoptions and no-kill shelters throughout Houston. The foundation is responsible for relocating 100’s of animals per month to safe havens, that lead up to adoptions.

Prior to Thanksgiving, Alex Bregman and Max Stassi teamed up with Jim McIngvale, to hand out 500 turkeys to local families in need. Bregman has even set up a YouTube channel that features his philanthropic events.

"“It’s awesome,” Bregman said. “[McIngvale] has done so much for this Houston community, and any chance we have to give back and help out, we’re going to take that opportunity and hopefully impact some lives.” via MLB.com"

Josh Reddick and Carlos Correa assisted in another event held at Minute Maid Park, where more than 100 children with developmental and physical challenges could live out there dreams of playing ball in a big-league park. The Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Astros Foundation teamed up to increase awareness for the health care system that gives care to all children, whether they have the ability to pay or not.

The Dallas Morning News has nominated Jose Altuve as one of their nine finalists for Texan of the Year, for his contributions on and off the field. These are just a few examples of what your favorite Astros players are doing to help better the community, and the list goes on and on. So as we approach closing out 2018, and look forward to next season, let’s give thanks to the Astro community for all they do.