Mets Community Insider

As students prepare for the upcoming school year, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, the New York Mets players, and their wives, have come together to provide local youth with essential resources for academic success.

On Wednesday, August 14, Pete and Haley Alonso, along with the Alonso Foundation, collaborated with Nike to donate and distribute Nike backpacks and school supplies to students from P.S. 7 in Elmhurst, Queens. The following week on Monday, August 19, Francisco and Katia Lindor teamed up with New Balance to provide New Balance backpacks filled with school supplies and Oakley sunglasses to children from P.S. 54 in Richmond Hill, Queens.

Later that month, Mets Owner and President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, Alex Cohen, joined Francis Mendoza, wife of Manager Carlos Mendoza, and Mrs. Met at the Queens Public Library to distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies. This was made possible by the Foundation’s $203,000 grant to New York Cares, which will provide 12,000 backpacks and school supplies to local Title I schools and community organizations.

New York Cares will continue distributing these backpacks and supplies, 4,000 of which were packed by Mets Front Office and New York Cares volunteers at Citi Field, throughout the community to ensure an exciting return to school for local children.

The Amazin' Mets Foundation remains dedicated to helping students thrive both in and out of the classroom, from funding much needed school supplies to creating engaging educational opportunities.

Francisco Lindor hosted young girls from PowerPlay NYC on Tuesday, August 13, as part of his Smile Tuesdays program.

PowerPlay NYC’s mission advances the lives of girls through sports, helping them grow physically, emotionally, and academically stronger. PowerPlay NYC’s programming focuses on teaching girls fundamental skills in a variety of sports so they become confident in their athletic abilities and enjoy playing.

Before attending the game, the young girls arrived early to watch batting practice and later met with Lindor to learn about his career, how he maintains a consistent routine, and the importance of dental hygiene. All guests received dental tips from Dr. Gia Chen, DDS, and took home Mets swag and dental kits.

On Wednesday, August 14, Brandon Nimmo hosted the Long Island Bombers beep baseball team, as part of his Nimmo’s 9 program.

Through the game of beep baseball, the Bombers provide athletes that are blind or with a vision disability the opportunity to play the game and offer a support network to its members.

The Long Island Bombers are dedicated to educating the community about blindness and during the visit, Brandon learned about their mission and met with each athlete to take pictures, and sign autographs for them.

Jose Quintana visited pediatric patients at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, as part of his Quintana’s Crew program on Friday, August 16. Quintana gifted the children Mets swag, Quintana’s Crew t-shirts, and autographed photos. Throughout the season, Jose is partnering with Northwell Health to meet with pediatric cancer patients and their families to connect and show his support.

In celebration of Women’s Equality Day, on Saturday, August 17, the Mets teamed up with Topps to host local little leaguers for a girls’ softball clinic at Citi Field. Women from the Mets front office led the young female athletes through infield, outfield, hitting, and baserunning drills to help develop and improve their softball skills.

All participants received a special goody bag from girl dad Francisco Lindor which included his bobblehead, Oakley sunglasses, a voucher for tickets to an upcoming Mets game, and special words of encouragement.

On Monday, August 12, more than 523 units of blood were collected at the Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s annual Summer Blood Drive, presented by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

The Foundation thanks all fans for donating, which will benefit the New York Blood Center and can help save more than 1,500 lives.

For more information on upcoming MetsGiving initiatives and service drives this offseason, please visit Amazinmetsfoundation.org.