With the season of giving upon us and everyone doing their best to spread holiday cheer around the world, it becomes all the more important that we do our best to help those less fortunate than us. Whether it's by volunteering at shelters, donating money to charitable causes, or even just lending a helping hand to our neighbors, we can all do our utmost to make sure that everybody has as great a holiday season as possible.
Among those who are well-poised to help out are professional athletes. Of the people of the world who have plenty to give, these people who make millions of dollars per game based on their contracts are often some of the most generous, and plenty of examples already exist of their charitable natures and how dedicated they are to making the world a better place for the less fortunate.
Well, the most recent example of this phenomenon might just put many others to shame: Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife have donated their entire, $9 million house to a charitable cause, and the reasons why are nothing short of heartwarming.
Hamels has offered up the house, which measures a whopping 32,000 square feet and sits on Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri, to Camp Barnabas, a charity organization that organizes camp services for kids with special needs.
According to Jason Brawner, CEO of the organization, the Hamels's donation is the largest ever received by Camp Barnabas to date, and will feature as a major site in the organization's upcoming camps and events. According to their site, Barnabas also runs a two-year, faith-based collegiate program for students with special needs. Barnabas Prep helps the students "realize their strengths and potential, while challenging them to grow into their best selves."
"Our mission is to change lives through disability ministry, and we've been strategically looking for ways to expand our ministry outside of a summer camp," says Brawner. "We have no doubt that this gift will allow us to do just that."
As for Hamels, he seems very satisfied with his decision. In a news release, he comments:
"Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it. Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way."
What do you think of Hamels's good deed?