Carlos Correa has spent most of the season batting cleanup for the Astros. On Monday, he took a swing at helping the city itself clean up after Hurricane Harvey. Correa was part of a bed distribution at Texas Mattress Makers for the Houston Children’s Charity. The goal is to raise $500,000 to help get beds and linens for 5,000 children and families who lost theirs in the storm.
“I wanted to help, Correa said. “I pray for these families.”
Correa was joined by veteran newsman Dave Ward and several local sports radio personalities for the event.
“It went really well,” said Rachel Gordon, who works at Texas Mattress Makers with her father, Youval Meicler. Both have been active in charity in Houston for years.
Gordon is in charge of the Young Houstonians for Houston Children’s Charity and helped spearhead the distribution. “Carlos has been great. All of the volunteers were great. Our goal is 5,000 beds and we hope to raise $500,000,” she said. “We are close — we have raised almost $300,000 so far.”
Gordon had flood damage of her own during the storm, but is happy to be able to help others.
“I think it’s great the way Houston has come together,” she said. “We are all just trying to make a difference, especially for these children. Children sleeping on the floor...you don’t want that. I’m really fortunate to be a part of this initiative and to be able to help out.”
Applications for those in need are available here and in Spanish here.
Donations can be made though the Houston Children's Charity Harvey Relief web page or through Correa’s YouCaring crowdfunding site. Also, the Young Houstonians for Houston Children’s charity will be hosting their fall mixer at Hotel ZaZa on October 19 at 6 pm.
“All the proceeds are going to benefit this program,” Gordon said.
Meanwhile, Correa has donated 500 beds already. “I know how important this is,” he said.
On Sunday, Correa’s Astros clinched the AL West. A day later, he was helping another team of winners distribute mattresses to people in need.
And this group of volunteers and charity workers did what Correa always does in uniform — stepped up to the plate big time.
Fred Faour is editor-in-chief of SportsMap.
Carlos Correa, center, poses for a photo with volunteers at a bed distribution at Texas Mattress Makers for the Houston Children’s Charity.
