August 08, 2015
The Hamels Foundation/Facebook
Cole Hamels at an event for The Hamels Foundation, an educational nonprofit created with his wife Heidi in 2008.
Cole Hamels may be a Texas Ranger these days, but that doesn't mean the work of The Hamels Foundation is done in Philadelphia.
The educational non-profit launched in 2008 by Hamels and his wife, Heidi, will continue to operate in both Philadelphia and Springfield, Missouri, where Heidi has family and the foundation is headquartered, Mainline Media News reports.
"Our plan is to continue the store in Bryn Mawr as it currently exists," said Executive Director Kelly Anderson. "We have staff members there who will continue to operate it. In the last year, it has been scaled back to be more of a development office. It has not been as retail-oriented."
According to the report, the Bryn Mawr retail shop has seen an uptick in customers since the trade. Patrons have stopped by to inquire about the future of the foundation in Philadelphia and to get a last chance to buy merchandise, but the operation isn't going anywhere.
Since 2008, the Hamels Foundation has been a devoted supporter of education in Philadelphia and beyond, providing more than $1 million to support programs and activities throughout the city. Last May, the foundation distributed a $53,000 grant across 8 schools for equipment and supplies, including STEM science and engineering kits, an Integrated Robotics Program, a second grade library and a renovated playground, among other projects.
“We are going to support Philadelphia area schools into the foreseeable future, regardless of where Cole Hamels plays. That commitment doesn’t change – Cole and Heidi are adamant about that,” said Anderson. “His trade to Texas gives us another opportunity to bring a new community into the fold. We will have to meet with administrators and the school board there to see where we can expand our programs and projects in Texas and make an impact for even more children.”
The foundation released a statement this week reiterating its commitment to supporting schools and other education-based nonprofits.
"This includes but is not limited to providing stimulating learning environments, high-quality education programs and necessary provisions to promote learning,” the statement read.
