The St Louis Cardinals nominee for the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award is Albert Pujols. All 30 Major League baseball teams select one player that “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”
Fans can vote for the player they believe is the most deserving. You can go online and join Commissioner Bud Selig and Vera Clemente, wife of the late Roberto Clemente for whom the award was named.
Here is the description that highlights the work of Albert Pujols:
“Albert and Deidre Pujols founded The Pujols Family Foundation in May 2005. Over the past six years it has served more than 800 families affected by Down syndrome in the greater St. Louis area. Through various charity events Albert raises almost $500,000 yearly for his foundation and the Albert Pujols Adult Down Syndrome Wellness Center. His donations have allowed the center to become a pioneer in the field of offering specialized care for adults with Down Syndrome.
This program has sent medical assistance to more than 2500 impoverished children in his home country of the Dominican Republic. He has funded a vocational school at the Orfanato Ninos de Cristo orphanage along with 300 beds in earthquake stricken Haiti. All together, the Pujols Family Foundation has hosted more than 55 different programs and events in 2010, and is already on pace to exceed that number in 2011. In addition, Albert has signed thousands of dollars in memorabilia benefiting more than 45 organizations, including Ronald McDonald House, Autism Speaks, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Albert is also active with the Make-A-Wish® Foundation and the Caps for Kids.”
Please show your support for Albert and the Pujols Family Foundation by casting a vote for Albert, and spread the word!