Nelson Cruz hits home run in West Seattle launch of Boomstick23 Foundation, with gift for Chief Sealth IHS

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One night after hitting a home run to help his team win its eighth straight, Mariners star Nelson Cruz was in West Seattle last night, going to bat for local students. An all-star list of attendees helped celebrate the launch of his Boomstick23 Foundation at The Sanctuary at Admiral. A big reason to launch it here – Cruz’s foundation is supporting Chief Sealth International High School, whose principal Aida Fraser-Hammer and athletic director Ernest Policarpio were at the launch.

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Fraser-Hammer accepted a check for $10,000 last night and “a promise to provide us with gear for our baseball team,” as she wrote in a message to the CSIHS community this morning, explaining:

… It has long been Nelsonā€™s dream to start a foundation to support education. Both his parents were teachers and he often speaks of their strong commitment to education and to ensuring that all students graduate from high school. Nelson has always wanted to take up the charge to support education as a way to honor his parents and to give back to the community. In looking for a school to partner with, Nelson visited our school in the spring, where he met some of our students and learned a lot about our strengths and challenges. …

Others from the Mariners organization and extended family were there – including Edgar Martinez!

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The event at The Sanctuary also included a silent auction – with memorabilia like this:

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Donors/supporters on hand included Kirk Keppler from Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village, showing the diamond “Boomstick” his business contributed:

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Others in attendance included King County Executive Dow Constantine and family:

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Mayor Ed Murray stopped by too. This isn’t the first philanthropic venture for Nelson Cruz – he is also involved with the community in his Dominican Republic hometown, Las Matas de Santa Cruz. Meantime, he and the M’s go for their ninth consecutive win tonight at Safeco Field, 7:10 pm vs. the Astros.

9 Replies to "Nelson Cruz hits home run in West Seattle launch of Boomstick23 Foundation, with gift for Chief Sealth IHS"

  • cil September 16, 2016 (9:05 am)

    Great story! I love Nelson Cruz and CSIHS!

  • dsa September 16, 2016 (10:29 am)

    Makes me feel warm all over, thank you Nelson Cruz.  You are fabulous.

  • Robert September 16, 2016 (2:04 pm)

    Did they have parking valets? :-)

    • WSB September 16, 2016 (2:28 pm)

      Don’t know! Our photographer found street parking, same as I did when I covered the Admiral Neighborhood Association there on Monday….that meeting (downstairs) was concurrent with some event upstairs that erupted in frequent cheering and applause!

  • MARY September 16, 2016 (2:09 pm)

    EDGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!

  • kirstin moe September 16, 2016 (2:57 pm)

    It’s nice to see CSIHS get some love!  Thanks, Nelson Cruz! 

  • TheKing September 17, 2016 (5:15 pm)

    Mr. Cruz is helping all over in this community. He’s really setting an example. Thanks Boomstick!!!!

  • Out for a Walk September 17, 2016 (9:22 pm)

    Thank you to Mr. Cruz and  business supporters. You are all so precious and we appreciate your viligence and care in providing for our West Seattle neighborhood. 

  • Cid September 19, 2016 (8:57 am)

    Cruz has proven time and again that he’s a great teammate, and great member of the community and a great person. 

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