x
Breaking News
More () »

Ripken and Maddon Join Together for HIP

Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation President and Executive Director Steve Salem made the announcement. “Why don’t we renovate this gym? We’ll build an ...

Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation President and Executive Director Steve Salem made the announcement.

"Why don't we renovate this gym? We'll build an indoor park and so that's what we're going to do," said Steve Salem.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet CEO and Ripken Board Chairman Mark Butler then presented a check for $180,000 dollars to Joe Maddon and his Hazleton Integration Project.

"Tonight's the first night Cal being in town here his presence really means a lot to us and to the community, but it's something that 's starting to grow slowly but well-slowly but surely," said Joe Maddon.

"We as a foundation the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation has developed some momentum. We can help. We can assist in many ways programmatically or helping build facilities which we're doing all over the country and in the end we have a common interest. The common interest is to help the kids," said Cal Ripken Jr.

Several children from the Hazleton One Community Center after school program presented the Hall of Fame Baseball player with a special framed picture to say thanks.

"So now that we have a pure form of a human being-being a child we can actually get them in this building and hopefully point them in the right direction and give them direction whether academically or athletically whatever. Just show them that you care," again said Joe.

Maddon's other project involves giving the city of Chicago and Cubs fans a World Series title as their new manager.

"I'm in New York for the Lehigh-Lafayette football game two weeks ago and I'm walking down Times Square. It's like 10 o'clock at night. It's freezing, and people are banging on windows within the restaurant knowing that I'm the Cubs manager. So you get this kind of support or acknowledgement from this crazy fan base, and I like crazy," added Joe.

With the $180,000 dollars from the Cal Ripken group and Ollie's Bargain Outlet they're hoping to break ground here sometime in the first part of 2015.

 

 

{

Before You Leave, Check This Out