Phillies Charities Holiday Party

Ken & Katie join the Phanatic! 

Ken, our Executive Director, and Katie, our Development Manager, attended the Phillies Charities Holiday Party on Monday at the Diamond Club at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark. The room was filled with representatives from nearly 50 charities that received support from the Phillies over the past year.

Each group was spotlighted throughout the course of the program, and we were thrilled to feature one of our Wednesday’s Child Philadelphia clips that told the story of a family we have helped to create. Ken also had the opportunity to address the crowd, describing the need for adoption among older youth living in foster care. 

Ken with Phillies' Manager Charlie Manual

One of the highlights of the evening – apart from getting an autograph from Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel! – was learning about the inspiring work taking place in nonprofits across Philadelphia. Their causes and missions were varied, from housing for veterans to care packages for families with ailing children, but the passion was the same. It felt good to be a part of this community of care.

PS – We’ll be auctioning off our Charlie Manuel autographed-Phillie Phanatic at our fundraising gala on April 25th at the Crystal Tea Room! Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event!

Umps Really Do Care!

Michael and Frank with Umpire Tichenor

On Friday, July 29th, participants from the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program got the chance to not only attend a Phillies game, but also received the VIP treatment from the UMPS CARES Charities and Phillies staff.

The day started off with a tour of the media room, where Michael and Frank (both New Jersey youth awaiting adoption) got the chance to sit in the “hot seat” usually occupied by Phillies' Manager Charlie Manual for interviews after the game. We then got to go onto the field to watch the visiting team (Pittsburgh Pirates) during batting practice. While on the field, umpire Todd Tichenor talked to everyone about his experience with becoming an umpire, and the importance of making good calls on the field and in life. Todd even showed everyone how the umps are able to view instant replays. As the tour concluded, we were all lucky enough to run into Phillies outfielder, Shane Vicotorino who gave us a quick hello.

Michael and Frank with Recruiter Crystal

Everyone was able to stay for the game. We had great seats near home plate where Todd was located. He made sure he found where we were seated and gave us a thumps-up during the game.

UMPS CARE Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established by Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America’s youth and families in need. Through our youth-based programs, professional baseball umpires enrich the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising awareness for foster care children waiting to be adopted.

The Adoption Center of Delaware Valley would like to thank the UMPS CARES Charities, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Philadelphia Phillies organization (especially Ryan Hayes) for making this a fun and memorable day for everyone!

On Deck for April 8th: Celebration of Family

CLICK HERE FOR: Sponsorship and Registration Information
or please contact:
Michelle Smolka
215-735-9988, ext 343
msmolka@adopt.org

Celebration of Family!

For those of us residing in the Northeast (or any cold climate for that matter), the words “pitchers and catchers report in two weeks” is music to our ears. What better way to escape the winter doldrums than by fantasizing about spring training??

Guests at the National Adoption Center’s annual Celebration of Family can do more than just imagine what it’s like to be a big-league ballplayer! Take a tour of Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies? Run the Bases? Take a few swings in the batting cages? You and your children can do all these and more at our April 8 event where we celebrate what adoption means to all of us - Family. All the exciting details are posted on our website. See you at the ballpark!

Kept Promises

Today we got word that one of our youths, Miguel, is going to tonight's Phillies playoff game against the Cinicinatti Reds. Besides the hope of another amazing game like Roy Halladay's no-hitter, this is exciting news because it is a promise kept. Earlier this year, the Phillies hosted Miguel at Citizens Bank Park to fullfill a dream of his--meeting the Phillies. He and NBC10's Vai Sikehemia took a tour of the stadium and then went to the clubhouse where they met Mike Sweeney. Sweeney presented Miguel with his personal bat that had handwritten on it words of encouragement for this young man. They all then headed to the field where the entire team was practicing. Miguel met many players, including Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins.

Exciting enough, right? Well during this visit a member of the Phillies' PR staff promised Miguel playoff tickets if the Phillies made it. The Phillies played hard and made the playoffs and the promise was not forgotten. Miguel will be at tonight's game.

While promises to any person, especially a child are important, in this case think of how much more this means. How many times have the adults in Miguel's life let him down? His parents were unable to keep the unspoken promise of parents everywhere to take care of their childern no matter what. What other promises, big or small, have been made to this child only to end up broken? This action is one adult's effort to prove to Miguel that many people do keep their promises, that he isn't forgotten. What can you do to help remind these children that they matter and that what is said to them is important? (And go PHILS!)