NEW YORK -- Approximately 40 volunteers from Major League Baseball’s Central Office spent Tuesday’s lunch break contributing to a worthy cause. In the spirit of togetherness and giving back during Black History Month, MLB Community partnered with Jersey Cares to assemble “First Night Kits” that will be distributed to families who are temporarily displaced to homeless shelters.
The kits include hygiene products such as shampoo, soap, lotion and lip balm, and families also received a blanket, created by the volunteers, in an effort to make a human connection between volunteers and families. Recipients of the care packages will receive a letter entitled, “You Matter,” encouraging them to stay positive and move forward in life.
“I’m seeing the good side of humanity,” said Evan Lewis, the director of corporate and foundation relations at Jersey Cares. “I’m so lucky I get to work with different communities -- so many volunteer groups --- and I get such positive responses, people with great attitudes [who] give back. I’m proud to do that work and I live in communities where people are willing to give back.”
The First Night Kits will go to Better Tomorrows, located in Newark, New Jersey. The organization will provide the essential items to their clients, supporting them during and beyond their first night at the shelter.
April Brown, MLB’s vice president of social responsibility, is pleased her company played a role in this endeavor.
“We have employees here who care about others,” Brown said. “... We want [families] to know that there are people who are thinking about them. We may not meet them, but we want them to know that we care about the community.
“We want those residents in Newark to know that they might be going through a tough time right now. This is your first night at a shelter, but know that someone that you might never meet is thinking about you and wishing you the best.”
Lewis was pleased to see the turnout at MLB and hopes to see the volunteers continue to help people in need.
“This is our first partnership with MLB, and it’s a pleasure,” Lewis said. “I love sports and I love seeing sports organizations give back, of course. Sports is supposed to be about community. It’s supposed to be about fun, teamwork, of course. Being a volunteer, you have to have all those qualities.”