Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels may be intimidating from the mound while throwing at rookie Bryce Harper, but when it comes to his work off the diamond he's all heart. Cole and his wife Heidi Hamels have announced plans to donate $300,000 from The Hamels Foundation to renovate Bayard Taylor Elementary School.
Check out the Hamels Foundation press release after the jump:
This year, The Hamels Foundation will provide an educational play yard for Bayard Taylor Elementary School that is both sustainable and environmentally green. For over 100 years, the students of Bayard Taylor have played and exercised in an area that looks similar to an empty parking lot. Our goal is to renovate this space to teach lessons in technology, science, physical education, and teamwork by including a chess/checker station, an iPad/Tech learning center, a greenhouse, a playground, and more. Currently there are 565 students enrolled in grades K-5 and there are no playgrounds or safe outdoor centers within a 10-block radius. The Hamels Foundation believes that the investment in Bayard Taylor will provide significant improvement to the quality of students' lives.
Cole and his wife clearly care about the community around them, last season they donated $200,000 to local Philadelphia schools. The money was used for science labs, libraries and sports equipment. Cole has been involved with community outreach such as Diamonds and Denim, Philly Financial Day and he's even volunteered time at local pitching clinics.