HUNTSVILLE – A camp and a casual conversation led to a natural partnership for a local professional athlete and a nonprofit organization that champions youth sports in Huntsville.
Brewer Hicklen, who played baseball at Huntsville High School and UAB and now is an outfielder in the Milwaukee Brewers system, was an instructor at a baseball/softball camp sponsored by the Bullpen Foundation while home during the offseason.
Small talk led to something bigger when Hicklen had an idea.
“We had a baseball and softball camp last November up at Stoner Park in North Huntsville,” said Jason Landers, chairman of the board for the 501(c)(3) Bullpen Foundation. “He helped us there and we got to know Brewer, and he just randomly reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, here’s what I’m thinking. I wanna do something to make a donation for every home run that I hit this year.”
Thus was born Homers for Hope, a fundraising arm for the Bullpen Foundation.
“Connecting with the Bullpen Foundation allowed me to give back to an organization that connects with youth kids and provides them with assistance to reach their dreams, which I’m passionate about,” Hicklen told 256 Today shortly after a Nashville Sounds victory Sunday.
Anyone who wishes can pledge an amount of money they choose to donate for each home run Hicklen hits this season, with the total paid at the end of the season. A single donation is also appreciated.
Hicklen, who had a brief Major League Baseball call-up to the Brewers last year, is with the Triple-A Sounds and has hit three home runs so far. The MLB Players Association is among the pledges to Homers for Hope, which has already raised an estimated $5,733 as of Sunday toward the $15,000 goal.
Pledges can be made at www.brewerhicklen.com/homers. Home runs that Hicklen hits in the Minors or Majors go toward the donation.
“The Homers for Hope campaign allows me to support financially and let people be the boots on the ground while I’m out of town,” Hicklen said. “Community involvement is important to me and I don’t get to be there as much as I’d like to, but being able to provide support financially while I’m out of town has seemed to work so far.”
The Bullpen Foundation raises funds and collects equipment to help Huntsville youth leagues that lack resources. They hold an equipment fundraiser each year, and recently held a kickball tournament to raise money.
Donations can be made directly to the Bullpen Foundation at www.bullpenfoundation.org. For inquiries, email [email protected] or call 256-509-3413.
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