NewsToys For Kids program reaches 15th year
Rizzs, Henderson give toys, happiness to homeless kids
By Jim Street / MLB.com
11/13/09 1:01 PM EST
A news report on a local television station almost 15 years ago sparked an idea that Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs and former outfielder Dave Henderson have turned into a Northwest tradition."Dave and I were sitting in a place in Pioneer Square watching TV when they had a story on the homeless situation in Seattle," Rizzs recalled. "I got to thinking, 'Where are the kids?' I told Hendu that one thing I had always wanted to do was to buy toys and give them to kids who probably wouldn't be getting any Christmas presents and he said, 'Let's do it.'"
And so they did.
What started out as a small party for 50 homeless or underprivileged kids receiving gifts 14 years ago has grown to more than 5,000 kids last year receiving toys and gifts from the Toys For Kids program.
The bulk of the money is raised at an annual Toys dinner and auction, which will be held Saturday night at the Bellevue Harbor Club. Autographed items from some of the Major League's biggest stars can be purchased, along with a trip for two to Australia, a round of golf at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, a fishing trip with former Mariners closer Norm Charlton and an inning in the Mariners' broadcast booth next season.
More than $143,000 was raised last year to benefit several hospitals and organizations that serve homeless and needy families. The fundraising efforts -- including a bowling event on Dec. 7 -- culminate in a massive toy-buying spree at Toys R Us, followed by a series of holiday parties to distribute the gifts.
"We have the Toys R Us store to ourselves for two days from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.," Rizzs said. "We work with 16 homeless agencies in King County and meet with representatives of eight of them each day. It's two fun days of shopping, believe me."
But the most fun is seeing the happy reaction from the kids at the various parties.
Talk about your "happy totals" -- the phrase Rizzs uses after each Mariners win.
Rizzs and Henderson, who played for the Mariners from 1981-86, recruited several Seattle-based players that first year, including Dan Wilson, Edgar Martinez, John Moses, Bill Hasselman, Omar Vizquel, Jamie Moyer, Dave Valle, Charlton, Bill Haselman and Jeff Nelson.
"We had dinner amongst ourselves and pooled our own money," Rizzs said. "We raised $18,000 that night. I went down to see a friend of mine at the Broadview Women's Shelter and we ended up having a party for about 50 kids at Harborview Medical Center."
The program has steadily grown over the years and nine years ago, the RBI (Real Baseball Involvement) Club, which was the Mariners booster club, became involved in the Toys For Kids, donating $2,000 the first year.
"With the help of people like Bill King and Virg Fassio of the RBI Club," Rizzs said, "this has gone to new heights.
Christmas parties are held during December at three different locations each year, including Harborview Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House.
One of the highlights at Saturday night's fundraiser is the "Moose Clausen Community Service Award" which will be presented to Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln.
Those who are not attending the dinner-auction and want to make a donation can do so by logging on to www.rickstoysforkids.org.
Among the big league players who have contributed autographed items for the auction are: Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Justin Morneau, Lou Piniella and Willie Mays. A complete list of auction items is available at the same Web site.
Beneficiaries of Toys For Kids include Seattle Children's, Harborview Medical Center, First Place, Atlantic Street Center, First Avenue Service Center, Union Gospel Mission, Hopelink, Broadview Women's Shelter, YWCA Women's Shelter and seven other organizations in the greater Puget Sound area.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
