Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley

In The News

Phillies making a difference

Several players spend a day with Make-A-Wish Foundation kids
By Leigh Tobin / Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies News The Phillies have been busy this spring, not only getting ready to defend their 2008 World Series title, but also in making wishes come true.

Several children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation had their wishes granted by Phillies players during Spring Training.

High school senior and North Carolina native Shaquille Jacobs wanted to meet and talk baseball with Jimmy Rollins. Rollins took it one step further and had the 17-year-old work out in full uniform with the team prior to a game. As a special bonus, Rollins took Jacobs with him on his media tour of Disney World, so he could see firsthand what it was like to be a Major Leaguer. The two will be featured on an ESPN special later this year.

Daniel Koernig, of West Chester, Pa., had a main wish to meet Utley. Chase granted his wish and spent one morning with Koernig and his family. After an early morning tour of Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., Koernig was whisked away by Utley for a clubhouse tour, a game of catch and a few instructional lessons in the batting cage. The 11-year-old walked away with Utley's bat, glove, batting gloves and, most importantly, memories of a lifetime. He repeatedly said, "This is soooo cool!"

Anthony Salvino, 9, attends Franconia Elementary School in Souderton, Pa. Not surprisingly, his wish was to meet Franconia alumnus Jamie Moyer. Like Koernig, Salvino was treated to a clubhouse tour, as well as a little batting practice, a lot of good tips and plenty of goodies to commemorate his visit. According to his mom, Terri, Salvino has been on cloud nine since that spring day.

Lauren Ryan, of Schwenksville, Pa., had a different kind of request of the Phillies: she wanted to throw out the first pitch. The normally quiet 15-year-old was ready for her big day and left all sense of shyness behind her as she met and charmed most of the Phillies team. She then strolled confidently to the mound and without hesitation hurled in the first pitch prior to a Phillies vs. Pirates game.

Finally, 13-year-old Kyle Hagerty of Sellersville, Pa., just wanted to meet the Phillies players, but he got a whole lot more on St. Patrick's Day. After Raul Ibanez personally escorted him on a tour of the clubhouse, where he met several of the players, Ibanez took Hagerty to the cages where he threw him a little batting practice. Hitting coach Milt Thompson joined in and provided some hitting tips. But the biggest surprise of all came when Ibanez invited Hagerty to be the honorary bat boy for the game against the Reds. His mom, Felicia, watching him from the stands claimed, "This is the most he has smiled all week."

courtesy of philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com

More Stories

Make A Wish: Hanging With the Phillies

A Dream Come True For Souderton Phillies Fan

US Restaurants Partners with Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Philadelphia & Susquehanna Valley to Make Wishes Come True

"Golden" wish comes true for Matt

Print news stories about Convoy '08: story #1 story #2 story #3

Junior zookeeper gets her wish

A Christmas wish come true

Mother, Make-A-Wish, body shop make teen's wish come true

Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms Sponsors 9 Children's Wishes

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia & Southeastern Pennsylvania Announces Merger with Susquehanna Valley Chapter

Keenan Auto Body, Inc. Exceeds Prior Record Donation Raising $20,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation