HOUSTON -- The Astros are always in the spirit of giving off the field, thanks to the Astros Foundation. It's the official team charity active all year long, raising money and donating time. That's especially true during the holidays, when help is needed the most.
Astros staff volunteered at the Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Center on Friday, assisting with meal preparation and lunch service at the Women and Family Emergency Shelter. They will also be volunteering on Dec. 2.
:: Baseball's Giving Spirit ::
In addition, volunteers from the Astros and KBR will help host the Sunshine Kids Holiday Party at the Children's Museum of Houston on Dec. 2. Volunteers will help children with holiday crafts, photos and gifts from Santa and other fun activities.
Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio is the national spokesman for the non-profit Sunshine Kids, an organization that assists kids with cancer and their families. He attends the holiday party every year and hosts an annual game for the kids at Minute Maid Park each October.
On Dec. 3, Astros Foundation volunteers, season-ticket holders, Urban Youth Academy members and families, and staff will volunteer at the Houston Food Bank's main warehouse sorting food items and packaging items for the backpack buddies program.
The Astros Foundation's mission is to seek to harness the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs serving at-risk children and teens. Its cornerstone initiatives include the Community Leaders program, the Astros Urban Youth Academy and the Astros RBI Program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities).