Tommy Ellenson & the New York Yankees Giving Back to Support Cerebral Palsy

As despicable as the New York Yankees are on the baseball diamond (we're Texas Rangers fans around here- and Boston Red Sox fans), their actions off the field this week have proven the opposite. Each year, the Yankees organization sponsors Hope Week which stands for Helping Others Persevere & Excel. Hope Week is currently taking place this week in New York.

Each day during Hope Week, the organization reaches out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support. The majority of the events take place at Yankee Stadium, however many of the outreach programs occur at different locations. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, along with every Yankees player, are involved with this year's festivities.

Last night, the Hope Week ceremonies involved a young Tommy Ellenson who has a severe case of cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Several Yankees players traveled to his little league stadium to meet his little league team and develop a relationship with Tommy. The Yankees Foundation presented a check for $10,000 to the United Cerebral Palsy in Tommy Ellenson's name.

The festivities did not stop there though. Tommy and his team traveled to the stadium to watch the Yankees game last night. Tommy was invited onto the field to throw out the first pitch. Since he could not physically throw the ball, the Yankees passed the ball down a line to the catcher, a very touching moment. After the game, Tommy and his team participated in the on-field congratulations, high-fiving many Yankee players.

Tommy's father described his son's excitement to participate in the activities, saying all Tommy could talk about the week before was "Yankees, Yankees, Yankees!"

The Yankees have ceremonies and plans for other people that are affected by debilitating diseases. Hope Week is something special, for everyone involved. It is great to see such a prestigious organization taking time out to foster relationships with their fans and encourage hope to everyone who needs it.