Since 1949 the name Richie Ashburn has been synonymous with Philadelphia baseball. His love for the game was matched only by his love of watching kids learn and play the game. His love of children is evident in the quote above which was passed on to all Philadelphians in Phillies’ broadcaster Harry Kalas’ eulogy of my father. Dad’s dream was to help and influence in a positive way as many kids as possible. Thus, The Richie Ashburn Baseball Foundation, a registered 501 ©(3) charitable organization, was founded to carry on his dream. The Richie Ashburn Baseball Foundation, founded in 1998, is dedicated to helping kids in the city and surrounding communities. Our goal is to provide children in the city and suburbs the opportunity to learn baseball by offering free camps throughout the area. Using the game as a teaching tool, we touch on the more valuable lessons in life, such as sportsmanship, drug and alcohol awareness and the importance of a quality academic education. The Foundation also helps to fund academic grants to local private schools.
My father’s dream of helping kids will live on through me. In order to continue this dream, we need your help. Dad strived to bring Philadelphia’s corporate, civic and political leaders together for the sake of our youth. He believed that our community leaders, along with major league players and coaches, are role models for the future success of our children.
In recent years our program has grown from five co-ed baseball camps serving 350 kids with two academic grants to 23 camps and clinics for over 1,400 kids and a third academic grant. The Foundation is also looking forward to its first Richie Ashburn Baseball Classic for players ages 13 and under, as well as establishing the “Ashburn Alley Cats”, a 13 and under travel team.
We are also participating with an 18 and under youth handicapped league and sponsoring the first youth program for the blind and visually impaired in the Tri-state area. These teams will be known as the Ashburn Whiz Kids. Looking to expand our outreach even further, we will be supporting a local cause, “Pitch for Baseball”, which seeks to collect and distribute baseball equipment to the under privileged worldwide. I know my father would be proud of anyone helping this cause. Please help us support Philadelphia’s Youth.
Sincerely,
Rich Ashburn Jr.
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