HOUSTON -- Pitcher Lance McCullers has teamed up with 2017 American Most Valuable Player Jose Altuve and 2015 Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel for the second annual Team Up for Kids and K9s fund-raising event, to be held on May 17 at Tootsies in Houston.
The event will help raise money for causes that the three players support, highlighted by the Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation and its efforts to promote pet adoptions and fight animal cruelty. Last year's inaugural event raised more than $100,000 in support of McCullers' dog-rescue efforts as well as local children's charities, including Sunshine Kids.
The 2017 event saw most of the Astros and many coaches and other celebrities in attendance in support of the cause.
"Last year, Jose and I teamed up with Kids and K9s and raised a lot of money and brought some great awareness to a lot of great causes," McCullers said. "Dallas was really supportive of our event and just has always gone above and beyond to show his willingness to help a lot of people. A lot of it is unknown. He's not going to tell you about it.
"Both guys love Houston, love to give back, so I thought this year we would make it all three of us, and we're really excited for the event. It should be a great time, and hopefully another evening of raising a lot of money for a great cause and bringing awareness to those causes."
The Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation -- managed by Athletes and Causes Foundation -- has helped rescue hundreds of dogs left homeless by Hurricane Harvey by purchasing and providing beds, food and shelter, even relocating animals to shelters throughout the country when local facilities couldn't accommodate them.
Altuve and Keuchel are lending support to McCullers' efforts and using their own platforms to enlist community support and corporate sponsorship. Sponsorship levels include Presenting Sponsor ($50,000), VIP Reception ($25,000), Hall of Fame ($15,000), All-Star ($10,000) and Champion ($5,000).
Last year, Altuve unveiled the Jose Altuve Foundation, which raises money to support the Sunshine Kids, a foundation that benefits kids with cancer.
"I did it last year and raised a lot of money for a great cause, and now to have Dallas next to us in this kind of event is even better," Altuve said. "Hopefully, we're going to have a good night and we're going to raise a lot of money again."
Keuchel supports a host of charities in the Greater Houston area.
"I like to give my time to other people's charities because it means so much to them," Keuchel said. "Anything I can do for Lance or Altuve is the least I can contribute."