Chamberlain Pitches in for Charity

Joba Chamberlain is in town this weekend for two different charity events, both centered around helping children.

The first is for Camp Acorn, a camp for autistic children in Northern NJ. Chamberlain stopped by yesterday to meet the kids, hang with them for a bit and help lift their spirits. Tomorrow night, he is hosting a dinner to help raise funds for Camp Acorn where attendees will donate money to attend the dinner to meet Joba. People interested in donating for Camp Acorn can log on to their website at www.campacorn.org

On Tuesday, Joba is hosting New Yorkers For Children's Annual Wrap to Rap Event. NYFC is a charity that was started by FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scopetta to help youth in foster care transition into adults. A lot of the times in NYC, children are left to fend for themselves when they turn 18 and are no longer eligible for foster care. They also don't always have access to the tools and support they need to succeed, and New Yorkers For Children is a great resource for them. There are nearly 17,000 youth in foster care in New York City. Through college scholarships, tutoring, job training, and networking opportunities, New Yorkers For Children helps these youth to become successful, self-sufficient adults.

NYFC was interested in Joba as their host because of his success in New York playing baseball, being a role model as a Yankee, his off-the-field work with children, but also the fact that his father, Harlan, was in foster care as a child. NYFC is a cause that is very close to Joba's heart.

The Wrap to Rap Event is being held at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. 100 teenagers in Foster Care will wrap 1500 donated gifts for younger children in Foster Care. In addition to providing much-needed holiday gifts for young children in foster care, Wrap to Rap reminds teens about the importance of volunteerism and giving back to their communities.

Anyone interested in learning more about New Yorkers for Children can log on to www.newyorkersforchildren.org