Yankees' 'Hope Week' wraps up honoring non-profit 'Street Lab' in the Bronx
Yankees Hope Week block party
Friday is the last day of Yankees Hope Week, an annual event putting a spotlight on people and organizations making a difference in their communities. Friday's honoree is Street Lab, a non-profit housing pop-up events in under-served neighborhoods. FOX 5 NY's Jennifer Williams has more.
BRONX, N.Y. - The 14th edition of Hope Week wrapped up in the Yankees' backyard with the club honoring the non-profit organization, Street Lab.
"Oh, it's fun," says Yankees Pitcher, Ron Marinaccio. "You see all the kids—they're having fun, laughing, playing. It's a really good time."
'Street Lab' is a non-profit organization that creates "pop-up" playscapes for city streets and public places throughout all five boroughs.
The event took place on a blocked-off street in the Morrisania section of the Bronx —and included everything from hoops to chess—to drawing to corn hole... and of course, pizza!
Yankees kick off Hope Week
In honor of their late son Ty, Cindy and Louis Campbell created the Muddy Puddles Project to celebrate childhood while also raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. This year, the Yankees surprised families at the event and donated $10,000 as part of the team's Hope Week.
"We're always 'go, go, go' and playing baseball and traveling a lot," says Yankees Pitcher, Clarke Schmidt. "It's good to just be out here with the kids and bring a little life to the street today."
Giancarlo Staton, Jose Trevino, Clay Holmes, Clarke Schmidt, Oswaldo Cabrera, Billy McKinney, Ron Marinaccio, Ian Hamilton and Nick Ramirez were among the Yankees players who played with local children from the area in Street Lab’s open-street event.
"I couldn't sleep last night knowing that the Yankees were coming today. I was so excited," says Yolanda "Lonnie" Hardy with Street Lab.
While some players supervised the action, like slugger Giancarlo Stanton who monitored the hopscotch section.
"It's a great time, we're all having fun," says Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees DH/Outfielder. "You know, I think my feet are a little too big for these boxes, so I'll just supervise and make sure everything's going according to plan.
While others got to be a kid again.
"So I was playing soccer with the kids, and I was the goalie. I was the best goalie," said Yankees Outfielder Oswaldo Carerra.
And somehow—the day got even better as the Yankees organization also presented Street Lab with a check for $10,000.