PHILADELPHIA -- Kyle Schwarber knows what it's like to grow up in a family of first responders – and he also knows that experience isn’t the same for everyone.
"I always say that I was one of the lucky ones who got to say 'Hi' and 'Bye' to my dad and my mom and my sister every day," Schwarber said. "I know some people aren't that lucky. It's not something I ever take for granted."
Schwarber's dad, Greg, was a longtime police officer and police chief in their hometown of Middletown, Ohio. His mom, Donna, was a police dispatcher before becoming a registered nurse. His sister, Lindsey, served in the Army National Guard before also becoming a police officer.
It's a path Schwarber may have gone down himself if the whole baseball thing hadn’t worked out.
But since it did, Schwarber instead used his platform as a Major League Baseball star to give back and honor first responders in ways he never imagined. It all started in May 2017 when he launched Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes "to express gratitude for the unique sacrifices of first responders and their families by creating positive experiences, as well as funding wellness, education and crisis needs for first-responder families."
More simply, Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes goes above and beyond to support families and foundations any way it can -- both financially and emotionally.
There are the numerous fundraisers and community initiatives. There's the annual block party that has become the foundation's marquee event. In fact, it was at this year's block party in May that the foundation surpassed the $1 million mark in grants for non-profit organizations serving first responders, their spouses and children.
As important as all of that is, it's the personal aspect that sticks with Schwarber the most.
Take, for instance, the tragic death of Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 18, 2023. Less than two months later, Fitzgerald's family was invited to attend the Phillies' home opener at Citizens Bank Park through the Neighborhood Heroes program.
The invitation was one thing. But it’s what Schwarber did once they arrived that turned it into a day none of them would ever forget.
Fitzgerald's four kids, his wife (Marissa) and parents (Joel and Pauline) were on the field for batting practice. They got autographs and took some pictures. Then, Schwarber escorted emerged from the dugout to escort them down into the tunnel where the kids got some impromptu hitting lessons in the home batting cages and a private tour of the Phillies’ clubhouse.
Marissa said she saw her children smile for "what felt like the first time in forever" that day.
"It brought some smiles to our faces in the darkest time of our lives," Joel added.
Seeing others experience that pain never gets any easier for Schwarber, but that's why it's so important to him.
"Look, we know with the nature of what we do as an organization we’re going to be meeting these families and young kids as they’re going through the worst things you can imagine; things nobody should ever have to go through," Schwarber said. "So, we’re here to try to put smiles on faces, and maybe just give them that little bit of an escape from what’s going on."
That’s exactly what they’ve done not only for the Fitzgerald family, but countless others that Neighborhood Heroes has hosted at the ballpark over the years. Those experiences vary from family to family, but one thing that never changes is Schwarber's presence.
Even on days when the team isn't taking batting practice or inclement weather wipes out pregame work on the field, Schwarber is always sure to pop out and greet the family. Of course, that prompts autograph and picture requests from every other kid in the vicinity -- and Schwarber sticks around to handle each and every one.
"If that's the smallest thing that we can do -- bring some kids out to the ballpark and get them smiling for a few hours -- that’s great, right?" Schwarber said. "Obviously, we're trying to make a bigger difference in their lives with the grants, which just surpassed $1 million this year, and all these different initiatives, but sometimes those little things can be the most impactful."
As much as Schwarber enjoys bringing some of these families to him, he also seeks out opportunities to go to them. He routinely visits police/fire stations, local VAs (Veteran Affairs) and other non-profits benefitting military personnel and veterans.
"It's obviously rewarding to bring them into my environment," Schwarber said, "but it's also fun to go see everyone in their own environments and in the places where you're really trying to make a difference."
Plus, that's how this all started nearly a decade ago.
Schwarber would stop by a Chicago firehouse or police station -- often with his Dalmatian, Blu, at his side -- and hand out gifts while grilling some food. Then, he'd invite everyone to a ballgame that night.
The number of those gifts and invitations has grown exponentially over the years.
So, too, has the foundation's impact.
"It's been unbelievable," Schwarber said. "As a family, we've been so happy with what we've been able to do and we're looking forward to, hopefully, being able to do so, so much more."