What: The George Springer All-Star Bowling Benefit
Where: Bowlmor Houston
The Scoop: George Springer and SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young hit the ball out of the park at the George Springer All-Star Bowling Benefit held on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Bowlmor Houston. Springer, along with fellow teammates, local celebrities, co-chairs Lara Bell and Melissa DeAyala, junior chair Matthew DeAyala, honorary chair Dr. Carolyn Farb,and 450 fans raised more than $250,000. Proceeds from the event will send children from families-in-need to Camp SAY, a life-changing summer camp for young people who stutter. Springer, a person who stutters, hosted the Bowling Benefit to provide financial aid help and ensure that children from all socio-economic backgrounds have access to Camp SAY.
During a VIP pre-game celebration Taro Alexander, founder of SAY, led with "Hype" — a call-and-response pep rally with Springer and guests forming a huge circle of support around all of the kids who stutter. Alexander continued with the inspiring story of his experience as a person who stutters and how Camp SAY is changing lives because every voice matters. Springer, the national spokesperson for Camp SAY, stepped up to the plate to voice his support for young people who stutter. He welcomed the kids in attendance and all kids who stutter to become a part of his team.
The event was in full swing when Noah Cornman, Executive Director of SAY, welcomed the crowd and cheered them on to provide every young person who stutters access to Camp SAY. The co-chairs and honorary chair kept the hype going as they encouraged the crowd to get excited to bowl and raise funds for Camp SAY. Cornman, along with SAY Director of Programming Travis Robertson, gave a special performance of a Camp SAY "morning song" dedicated to Springer, followed by inspiring speeches from Camp SAY kids Malcolm Venable, and Finn Balan, who presented Springer with the SAY Hero Award. The evening was dedicated to HPD Officer Jerry Flores, a longtime friend of the Astros who is recovering from an accident.
DJ Senega provided the tunes for guests to hit the lanes for dancing and bowling with Springer, celebrities and young people who stutter. The silent auction provoked friendly competition, but everyone came together to cheer Springer and the many celebrities that attended the event.
A Day Camp was held on Saturday, July 7 at the Magnolia Houston Hotel, for young people who stutter. The free life-changing camp allowed kids and teens the opportunity to meet new friends who stutter and participate in exciting activities that help build confidence. Afterwards, the campers and their parents joined SAY for the Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox afternoon game, including a meet and greet with Springer in the Astros press room.
Who: Chita Craft, Ken Hoffman, Deborah Duncan, Michael Garfield, Steve Johnson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Khambrel Marshall, David Nuno, Dan Pastorini, Sarah Pepper, Chester Pitts, Jay Rodriguez, Geoff Sheen, Ron Trevino, Courtney Zavala, Chris Devenski, Tony Kemp, Lance McCullers, Brad Peacock, Tony Sipp, Joe Smith, Gary Pettis, Doug White, AJ Hinch, Reid Ryan, Randy Bates, Dr. Kevin Smith, Toni and Scott Hughes, Lackland H. Bloom III, Justin Ellerton, John J. O'Brien, Jeff Gorski, Liz and Dave Unger, Shaun Smithson, Terry Deckard, Cheryl Sue, Charlise Springer, George and Marie Springer, Lee and Corrine Vela, Rod Windham, Roseann Rogers, and Russell Masraff.
George Springer speaking to the audience
