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Hamelses Hold ‘Friendraiser’ For Inner-City Schools
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| Cole and Heidi Hamels arrive at the Moshulu on Penns Landing on Thursday night for the Hamels Foundation “friendraiser” to benefit inner-city schools. (Courtesy of Cashman & Associates) |
By Adam Taxin, For The Bulletin
Approximately 100 guests turned out to Moshulu on Penn’s Landing on Thursday to support a “friendraiser” for the Hamels Foundation. The foundation was started by Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi, a teacher and former contestant on Survivor.
Run by Kathy Dugas, the mother of Heidi Hamels, the Hamels Foundation is dedicated to supporting inner-city schools throughout the United States. The majority of its efforts focused on the School District of Philadelphia, with which it partners.
The Hamels Foundation went through a selection process involving 131 schools, which applied to receive foundation grants. Thirty schools received interviews, with a critical question. “If you could change one things about your school, what would it be?”
In the end, three Philadelphia schools were selected. According to Heidi Hamels, the critical question was “Will this school be the one that best sustains the grant?”
Stetson Middle School in Kensington received the largest grant, $50,000 for, among other purchases, bleachers, microscopes and a camera for its yearbook.
According to Heidi Hamels, Stetson Principal Renato Lajara was careful in his proposal to take into account the particular needs of each teacher. Heidi Hamels said Stetson asked for the “complete opposite of one big thing. One big thing doesn’t solve the problem.”
The Hamels’ particular interest in public education results in large part from their own personal backgrounds. Cole Hamels’ mother is an elementary school teacher, and his father is an assistant superintendent. Heidi Hamels holds undergraduate and masters degrees in education, and she has taught health, physical education, biology and reading at the middle school level.
The event was put together by Cashman and Associates. Among many other guests were Cozen O’Connor attorney Jesse Rendell, son of Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., and his wife Beka, as well as former Sixers general manager Billy King and his wife.
The Hamels recently became parents for the first time. Heidi Hamels gave birth to Caleb Michael on Oct. 9.
Unlike most Phillies players who leave town soon after the season ends, the Hamels live in Philadelphia year-round. Cole Hamels said that this was an easy decision in large part because “the Philadelphia community is so welcoming.”
The Hamels remain in Philadelphia during the offseason despite the fact that Hamels grew up in San Diego, a locale relatively unparalleled in terms of weather. Philadelphia year-rounders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, both also Californians, are the other Phillies exceptions to this general trend.
“I never knew snow,” Cole Hamels said. “I enjoy the winters here in Philly.”
Cole Hamels added that the weather in the baseball offseason here isn’t quite as brutal as where Heidi grew up, in the Ozarks region of Missouri.
“I can play golf into mid-December,” Cole Hamels said, “which is something I probably need to do since my handicap is 20.”
Run by Kathy Dugas, the mother of Heidi Hamels, the Hamels Foundation is dedicated to supporting inner-city schools throughout the United States. The majority of its efforts focused on the School District of Philadelphia, with which it partners.
The Hamels Foundation went through a selection process involving 131 schools, which applied to receive foundation grants. Thirty schools received interviews, with a critical question. “If you could change one things about your school, what would it be?”
In the end, three Philadelphia schools were selected. According to Heidi Hamels, the critical question was “Will this school be the one that best sustains the grant?”
Stetson Middle School in Kensington received the largest grant, $50,000 for, among other purchases, bleachers, microscopes and a camera for its yearbook.
According to Heidi Hamels, Stetson Principal Renato Lajara was careful in his proposal to take into account the particular needs of each teacher. Heidi Hamels said Stetson asked for the “complete opposite of one big thing. One big thing doesn’t solve the problem.”
The Hamels’ particular interest in public education results in large part from their own personal backgrounds. Cole Hamels’ mother is an elementary school teacher, and his father is an assistant superintendent. Heidi Hamels holds undergraduate and masters degrees in education, and she has taught health, physical education, biology and reading at the middle school level.
The event was put together by Cashman and Associates. Among many other guests were Cozen O’Connor attorney Jesse Rendell, son of Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., and his wife Beka, as well as former Sixers general manager Billy King and his wife.
The Hamels recently became parents for the first time. Heidi Hamels gave birth to Caleb Michael on Oct. 9.
Unlike most Phillies players who leave town soon after the season ends, the Hamels live in Philadelphia year-round. Cole Hamels said that this was an easy decision in large part because “the Philadelphia community is so welcoming.”
The Hamels remain in Philadelphia during the offseason despite the fact that Hamels grew up in San Diego, a locale relatively unparalleled in terms of weather. Philadelphia year-rounders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, both also Californians, are the other Phillies exceptions to this general trend.
“I never knew snow,” Cole Hamels said. “I enjoy the winters here in Philly.”
Cole Hamels added that the weather in the baseball offseason here isn’t quite as brutal as where Heidi grew up, in the Ozarks region of Missouri.
“I can play golf into mid-December,” Cole Hamels said, “which is something I probably need to do since my handicap is 20.”
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