New York may be all about the Yankees right now, but there's another local team worth talking about -- the Long Island Bombers, an adaptive baseball team for those who are blind or visually impaired. Baseball for those who can't see? You bet. And those who play, dive on the ground to field balls and run full speed toward the [...]
Everyone knows about Derek Jeter's legendary career with the New York Yankees. But, did you know his work as a philanthropist is just as storied? The Miami Marlins owner hosted his 21st annual Turn 2 Foundation Dinner Wednesday night and raised more than $1 million for its programs, which foster academic achievement, healthy living, positive behavior, social change and leadership [...]
You don't have to be a super star athlete to make a big difference. Jake Gallin, 14, started Stars for Cars to honor and remember military families. In 2011, the 8-year-old from New Rochelle, NY was watching a segment on the Oprah Winfrey Show featuring Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. The women talked about the sacrifices that "Blue Star" and [...]
By Eric Mergens In March, Purpose2Play interviewed Richard Albero just north of Ocala, Florida as he was making his way from George M. Steinbrenner Field (spring training home of the New York Yankees) in Tampa to home plate of Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. If you heard Albero’s story when he set out for New York, you’ll recall that this [...]
Photo courtesy of Anthony Ianni March was a great month for Purpose2Play. We talked to a Yankees fan, who is walking from Florida to the Bronx to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, and to honor his nephew who was killed in the 9/11 attacks. We chatted with U.S. Women's National Team star Meghan Klingenberg about her [...]
By Eric Mergens Juan Acevedo, Cy Barger, Andy Cannizaro...Derek Jeter, Mickey Mantle, and finally, at last, Babe Ruth. Photo courtesy Richard Albero That’s how Richard Albero is counting the miles from home plate at George M. Steinbrenner Field (spring training home of the New York Yankees) in Tampa to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Each of the 1,200 [...]
Purpose 2 Play went to New York City to cover Derek Jeter as he surprised hundreds of children during his annual Turn 2 Holiday Express event. Jeter serves as the founder of the Turn 2 Foundation while his sister, Sharlee, serves as president. We were lucky enough to snag both of them for exclusive interviews about their organization, which guides [...]
By Brittany Alvarado When thinking about the responsibilities of a 10-year-old, what comes to mind? Certainly not being a caregiver for a parent. In an ideal world, it should be the other way around. Quai (pronounced Kway) Jefferson didn't mind that he was the exception. When Quai was just 6-years-old, his mother, Vaida, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. By the age of 10, [...]
CC and Amber Sabathia with their four kids. Photo courtesy of Amber Sabathia By Kim Constantinesco Ask any professional athlete that has ever played for a New York area team. The microscope is as intense as the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Since 2009, Cy Young Award winner and six-time MLB all-star CC Sabathia has [...]