Famous Baseball Pitcher Donates $9.4 Million Mansion to Special Needs Camp

There are many ways to help make the world a better place. You can open the door for a stranger, buy coffee for the person behind you, or hand out sandwiches and warm blankets to the homeless. For most people, these are easy ways to “pay it forward.” This is because they require minimal time and funds.

Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife, Heidi, are not most people. In fact, just a couple of years ago, they were building a dream mansion on 100 acres of land in southwest Missouri. After Cole was traded from the Philadelphia Phillies, however, he and his wife had no need for the extravagant abode located near Branson, Missouri. As a result, the family decided to donate the entire $9.4 million house to charity.

Credit: Realtor.com

Yahoo News reports that the pitcher and his wife donated the 32,000-square-foot home to Camp Barnabas, a local non-profit. The day camp offers programs for kids with chronic illnesses and special needs. It is very special because it matches each camper with their own volunteer. The camp also offers scholarships so no kid is turned away. To ensure every kid can have a camp experience, the non-profit even invested in a medical facility — complete with doctors and nurses.

The couple explained their decision to donate the house to charity in a press release. They wrote:

“There are tons of amazing charities in Southwest Missouri. Out of all of these, Barnabas really pulled on our heartstrings. Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it. Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way.”

To no one’s surprise, this is the largest gift in the history of the organization. Because the mansion was only recently donated, it is unknown whether or not Camp Barnabas will incorporate the Table Rock Lake House into its programs, or use it for other purposes.

Credit: nydailynews.com

At the end of the day, the decision to donate the valuable asset can only be perceived as extremely generous. Thanks to the Hamels, thousands of kids with special needs and chronic illnesses, in addition to their friends, siblings, and parents, will benefit

It is always heartening when people with affluence use their platform and resources to better the world. The prevalence of greed has resulted in great suffering across this planet and only through action — not just ideas — will such be remedied.

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h/t Yahoo News, ESPN