St. Louis Official Visitors Guide 2009 - (Page 16) ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE PUJOLS FAMILY FOUNDATION ALBERT PUJOLS An All-Around All-Star whatever they can to help children and their families. “We’re committed to a calling of love and service, and we’ve dedicated our lives to seeing every child as God’s perfect creation,” says Albert. During the past two years, the PFF has served more than 500 families with Down syndrome in the Greater St. Louis area, offering programs and events that celebrate the lives of these special children and young adults. The couple’s daughter, Isabella, has the condition, so they’re intimately aware of the needs in the community. he baseball world knows Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols for his powerful home runs and his dedication to the sport. What many don’t know is that Albert is a global All-Star both on and off the field. In addition to receiving his second MVP award in 2008, Albert received MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award, an award named for the former Pittsburgh Pirate who died on a humanitarian mission in 1972. It is given to the individual who combines outstanding play with devoted work in the community. Albert and Dee Dee Pujols started the Pujols Family Foundation (PFF) to address two glaring areas of need. The couple does 16 The Official St. Louis Visitors Guide T The Foundation’s international outreach has brought medical assistance to more than 2,500 impoverished children in the Dominican Republic. Each year, the PFF takes a team of dentists to visit some of the country’s most remote areas. “It’s awesome to see Albert comforting these kids and talking to them in Spanish—otherwise they’re scared to death and don’t know what’s going on,” Perry said. The foundation hosts a number of social events for the audiences they serve, including “Lose the Training Wheels” bike camp, an All-Star baseball game and a prom for teenagers with Down syndrome. In addition to various fundraising events, the Pujolses partnered with local restaurateur Pat Hanon and his family to open Pujols 5 Westport Grill, a high-tech sports bar and restaurant featuring a menu of Dee Dee’s recipes and some of Albert’s favorite dishes. For more information about the Pujols Family Foundation, visit www.pujolsfamily foundation.org. The second part of the mission involves humanitarian efforts in the Dominican Republic, Pujols’ home country. “Albert grew up like the vast majority of the population there—he was very poor. He hasn’t forgotten what that’s like, and he hasn’t forgotten the people there,” says PFF executive director Todd Perry. w w w. e x p l o r e s t l o u i s . c o m http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org http://www.explorestlouis.com
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