More than 125 kids took part in Darien Little League baseball clinics on Sunday run by New York Mets World Series Champion Howard “HoJo” Johnson. The clinics raised donations and awareness for Americares, the Stamford-based relief and development organization focused on health.
— an announcement from Darien Little League
More than 200 items were donated at the event to benefit the children of Americares Free Clinics patients. The kids enjoyed fielding and batting stations with HoJo and his son, Glen Johnson.
“I was so impressed with the kids and families of Darien who came out to play ball and donate to Americares,” said HoJo. “We have some great ball players here too!”
Photo from Darien Little League
From top left to bottom right: Diane Bosek (Americares); Glen Johnson, Howard Johnson (HoJo), Vanessa Bendinelli (Americares), Charlie MacLane (Darien Little League ball player), Katherine MacLane (Darien Little League)
In lieu of payment, all participants brought a backpack donation for Americares at check-in. These backpacks will be distributed to children of patients at each of Americares four free clinics, to ensure they have the tools to succeed in the school year ahead.
“We were honored to have HoJo and his son Glen here to work with our youth baseball community on fundamentals,” said Katherine MacLane, Darien Little League Board member. ”And the outpouring of support for Americares from this community was incredible.”
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization based in Stamford, CT that helps save lives and improve health for people affected by poverty or disaster.