Bartolo Colón opted to visit Camp Simcha, which serves 430 children and teens with cancer and other blood disorders, in New York’s Catskill Mountains in order to inspire the campers.
“I wanted to come to make every child in camp feel happy,” the four-time all-star Major League Baseball pitcher, who now plays professionally for a Pakistani team, told JNS in Spanish.
The 51-year-old Dominican American signed baseballs, shared stories with the campers, played catch and offered words of encouragement.
“I didn’t really expect to see something so organized and beautiful,” he told JNS, noting “the excellent atmosphere of the camp and their facilities.”
The pitcher, who won 247 games for 11 Major League teams over a 21-year career and was an American League Cy Young Award winner in 2005, told JNS that he was particularly moved by “feeling the affection of each child and seeing that joy and willpower on their faces.”
The camp is a program of Chai Lifeline, a more than 35-year-old nonprofit.
“When athletes like Bartolo visit, it’s a grand slam for our campers,” stated Rabbi Simcha Scholar, the nonprofit’s CEO.
“Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they interacted with a sports legend was truly heartwarming and is a reminder of the power we all have to bring joy to those who need it most,” he added.
