8.22.06: Pujols Foundation Raises Money with Golf Classic
Celebrity fundraiser benefits local kids with Down syndrome
By Conor Nicholl / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Kaitlyn Trower enjoyed a terrific Monday morning. She was one of three children who had their picture taken with Albert Pujols at his golf tournament at the Country Club of St. Albans.

"He's a nice man," Trower said with a huge smile.

Trower, 12, a beautiful girl with Down syndrome, was directly affected by the reigning National League MVP's event. The Albert Pujols Celebrity Golf Classic helps raise money for the Down Syndrome Foundation and the Pujols Family Foundation, an organization that reaches out to families with Down syndrome and impoverished families and children in the Dominican Republic.

"This is what it's all about," Pujols said. "God gave me an opportunity, and I feel blessed to take advantage of every opportunity I have." And the golf tournament is a huge showcase to help families and raise awareness of Down syndrome. The event even helps the Pujols family: They have a daughter, Isabella, with Down syndrome.

"With Albert and [his wife Deidre] having a child with Down syndrome, it hits close to home," Todd Perry, Executive Director of the Pujols Family Foundation, said.

Many other families also benefited from the tremendous support by former and current Cardinals players, other athletes, local celebrities and citizens in the community. Paying $3,500 a group, 52 fivesomes -- four players and one celebrity per group -- teed off at St. Albans' two courses. In 2005, the Classic alone raised approximately $200,000 and would likely surpass that total this year.
"I would say right now that this is our top fundraiser," Perry said. "We've doubled in size since last year. This event is fantastic, and with the support of the community, the support of the players and the support of Albert and [Deidre Pujols] themselves, it is always successful and continues grow."

The event also continues to help the local chapter for Down syndrome -- a foundation that has grown exponentially over the past five years. "For the local Down syndrome community, the Pujols Family Foundation is the catalyst to build the awareness," Perry said. "It's not to say that we are writing all the checks, but I do know that in 2001, when Albert came to town, the Down Syndrome Association was an answering machine in a mother's home. Now, they have an office and they have a director."

And Monday provided another big boost, including 18 holes at one of St. Louis' premiere golf courses, dinner, memorabilia items and an evening auction. The auction itself will likely raise thousands of dollars. On a long table, many different items were on sale, including game-used apparel from Pujols, signed items from David Wright, LaDainian Tomlinson, Torry Holt, Marshall Faulk, Wayne Gretzky and musician Chuck Berry. Most of the items had opening bids of over $200, and many people started raising the prices on the memorabilia early in the morning. "The auction is always a big hit," Perry said.

Nearly half of the current Redbirds played in the tournament. Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa, bench coach Joe Pettini, Hall of Famer and adviser Red Schoendienst and players So Taguchi, Gary Bennett, Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, Anthony Reyes, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Weaver, Josh Hancock and Chris Duncan dotted the premises.

"It's definitely a good feeling," Johnson said. "It feels good that we can help out."
One of his fellow rookies agreed. "He's a real good guy, and this goes for a good cause," Duncan said of Pujols.

The local celebrities and former players included opposing players. Several Cincinnati Reds -- including Tuesday's starting pitcher, Aaron Harang -- participated. Former Redbirds Scott Terry, Alan Benes, Jack Clark and Bucky Dent also played, providing further help to Pujols' -- and many other families' -- causes.

"He sets a nice example for Major League Baseball," Darrell Trower, the father of Kaitlyn, said of "El Hombre." "Along with Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, he is strong in the community and sets a good example."

Conor Nicholl is an associate reporter for MLB.com.

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