BLINN DONATES OVER $1200 TO ADAM’S ANGELS

Non-profit organization assists families battling childhood cancer

Five children stepped onto Leroy Dreyer Field Saturday full of excitement.

It was a special moment for a group who is facing the on-going battle with childhood cancer. Prior to first pitch, players from the Blinn baseball team embraced the children of Adam’s Angels Ministry to offer their support as the group continues its fight.

In August, the Blinn athletic department selected Adam’s Angels Ministry, a local non-profit organization that assists families battling childhood cancer, as its sponsored charity through its Adopt-a-Charity program for the athletic season. During the year, each Buccaneer athletic team hosted an Adam’s Angels game in which Blinn honored the children from the organization. Gate proceeds from those games were donated to Adam’s Angels.

During a pregame ceremony Saturday, the athletic department donated $1,212.75 raised through those Adam’s Angels games.

“This has been a real highlight for our kids,” said Adam’s Angels founder Donna Culliver. “The Blinn players for every sport have been so good about getting out there and taking the lead. Our kids have really enjoyed it.”

Donna and Tim Culliver founded Adam’s Angels Ministry in 2003 after they lost their 4-year-old son, Adam Christian Culliver, to acute myelogenous leukemia, a rare leukemia that affects the brain, spleen and liver.

Adam’s Angels assists local families who are facing childhood cancer by offsetting costs incurred that include, but aren’t limited to, living expenses, meal vouchers, fuel costs, and medical parking. According to the organization’s website, www.adamsangelsministry.com, one in 300 children will develop cancer before age 19, and one out of every five children diagnosed with cancer dies.

“Blinn stepping to the plate and taking the lead has really helped raise awareness of our organization,” Culliver said. “Now other companies are stepping forward and asking how they can help. It’s really shed a light on things. The more support we receive, the more we can assist families.”

Blinn founded its Adopt-a-Charity program in 2013 after Athletic Director Scott Schumacher saw the success the baseball team was having with its annual Turn Back the Clock games. During those games, the team would sponsor a charity and donate a portion of the gate proceeds to that organization. A charity for the 2014-15 athletic season will be named in early August.

“It’s important that the athletic department gives back to the community for their support of us,” Schumacher said. “Adam’s Angels is an extraordinary organization that does great things for families in our community.”

For more information on Blinn athletics, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story & photos courtesy: Matt Keyser, Blinn Information)