CLEVELAND — With only a few days until the highly anticipated total solar eclipse, UMPS CARE Charities was in Cleveland to hand out stuffed animals and eclipse glasses to patients at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
UMPS CARE Charities, the official philanthropy of the umpires of Major League Baseball, delivered over 100 Build-A-Bear stuffed animals at the "Total Ecclipse Of The Heart" event at the hospital.
Along with the stuffed animals, they also handed out baseball-themed activity books and crafts.
“We wanted to bring the excitement of the upcoming solar eclipse to kids in the hospital,” said Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt, Executive Director at UMPS CARE Charities. “There is a lot of excitement in Cleveland with the eclipse, the Guardians’ home opener and the NCAA Women’s Final Four, and this was a way we could capture that fun for kids who are facing medical challenges.
"The umpires could deliver Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys and solar eclipse glasses as a way to let these kids get their minds off of their treatment for a bit and have fun.”
Former MLB umpire and resident of Northeast Ohio Jerry Meals was joined by a minor league umpire crew to help deliver the stuffed animals and eclipse glasses to the children.
The event at the Cleveland Clinic marked the charity's 210th delivery.