Waco Thunder Baseball proudly supports the Shriners Hospitals for Children® which is an international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. It's how Shriners Hospitals for Children® has been Changing the World through Caring for Kids since 1922.
Through youth baseball/softball events organized by Dustin Johnson, Director of Operations for Waco Thunder Baseball, our players, coaches, and parents actively participate in raising funds and spreading awareness for this one-of-a-kind international system.
11U Black Visits Shriners Hospital for Children® - Houston
On June 10, 11U Thunder Black visited Shriners Hospital for Children® - Houston which specializes in pediatric orthopaedics. This same hospital has also assisted members of the Waco Thunder family. This trip concluded a season-long awareness campaign in which players and coaches wore alternate white vests with Shriners Hospitals for Children® logos to spread awareness to the non-profit organization while they compete across the state of Texas.
While at the hospital, Thunder players visited with patients and presented several children with their own Waco Thunder cap. The team also received a private tour of the facility and were even able to test the hospital's Motion Analysis Lab, which is a ten-camera motion collection system integrated with four force plates and a twelve sensor EMG system that assists the medical staff to provide patients with the opportunity to walk and run normally. This same software is used in the development of sports video games.
Players Raise Funds for Salvation Army
Members of various Thunder teams assist the Salvation Army in their fundraising efforts throughout the holiday season. Funds are used to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless, in keeping with the spirit of the season. Donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need. Financial assistance also helps with basic necessities, along with seasonal aid, and families of prisoners often are included.
On Saturday, December 18, members of the 11U Black and 11U Blue raised $384.53 outside of the Sports Authority in Waco.
