Goldschmidt Gives $186K Raised From Bowling Event to Phoenix Children’s Hospital
By Mike Saucier
Paul Goldschmidt, the all-star first baseman for the Diamondbacks, presented a $186,000 check to Phoenix Children’s Hospital yesterday from his proceeds raised at his bowling party he hosted last year.
The funds will benefit the hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
Steven Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, said Goldschmidt and his wife Amy “say yes to everything” for the hospital. He had met Goldschmidt in 2011 at a golf tournament, where the first baseman said he was interested in taking a tour of the hospital.
That was the beginning, Schnall said, of a six-year relationship between Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Goldschmidts.
“As I watch Paul Goldschmidt talking to the kids here and interacting with the families I am constantly reminded of what a true champion he is,” Schnall said. “His heart is so big and he is so committed to being here and doing the right things for our community and for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.”
Years ago, he said, when the hospital talked to the couple about the need to build a new cancer center at the hospital (which opens next month) they asked if they were willing to step into a leadership role.
“Without hesitation they said, ‘Absolutely, please tell us what we need to do,’” Schnall said.
Goldschmidt told Frontdoors that his frequent visits to the hospital to meet with cancer patients puts things in perspective for him.
“The kids are always saying thank you,” he said. “And we think we’re coming in here and doing something great but they’re having such a huge effect on my life,” he said. “I’m thinking about them every day when I’m playing. Sometimes if you’re having a bad day on the field, it’s keeping that in perspective. They’re never complaining and they’re fighting way harder than I could ever imagine.”
The 30-year-old Wilmington, Delaware native and his wife hosted Goldy’s Bowling Bash at Lucky Strike last year, and with fans and other Valley sports stars helped raise the donated funds for his foundation, Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids.
“Paul and Amy have been a constant part of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital family. On any given day you can see them in the halls of the hospital, Paul talking baseball and signing autographs for his biggest and littlest fans and Amy hosting self-esteem pink parties for girls, patient birthday party celebrations or just doing girl stuff like painting nails,” said Kelly Lane, vice president, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Phoenix Children’s Hospital is grateful to be beneficiaries of their bowling bash event, and to be on Paul and Amy Goldschmidt’s team of life.”
Goldy’s Bowling Bash returns February 22nd, 2018 at Lucky Strike in downtown Phoenix.
