Patrick Wisdom began playing Minor League Baseball in 2012, and like most, dreamed of making it to the Majors, but one afternoon, a child’s smile changed his outlook on baseball and his desire to help others.
“We want to do well on the field and for our team, but there’s a greater purpose out there,” said Patrick.
While playing for the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League affiliate team, Patrick and his teammates spent that afternoon at St. Jude Hospital spending time with children who were undergoing cancer treatment. Seeing that simple acts of kindness, fellowship and words of encouragement can brighten someone’s day left a long-lasting impression on him and turned his heart towards service to others.
“To be able to provide positivity, light, and spread awareness for different causes definitely trumps anything I do in baseball,” he said.
Patrick’s story is one of many that showcases the incredible impact Major League Baseball players have off the field. As pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training for the upcoming season, Patrick, like many others, remains dedicated to giving back to the communities that support the game.
Through the United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) partnership with Big League Impact (BLI), a nonprofit founded by St. Louis Cardinals legend Adam Wainwright, this collaboration continues to provide MLB players with volunteer opportunities during the season, helping to make a lasting difference in various communities throughout the country.
Helping neighbors nationwide
In 2018, Patrick realized his lifelong dream of making it to the Major Leagues as he was promoted to the Cardinals’ Major League roster midway through the season. With a bigger platform now, Patrick wanted to use it to make an even broader impact.
He first found out about BLI from his teammate, Wainwright, and after learning about various ways he could make a difference for individuals and families all over the country, he was committed to helping their cause.
“It’s a lot of fun, and you’re able to get teammates and staff to go with you. An hour or two of our time reaps dividends for these people we’re going to help,” said Patrick. “Getting to know Wainwright and seeing the impact he has with Big League Impact was super cool. He’s going out there with a mission to provide support for other people and it’s really remarkable.”
Since becoming a BLI partner, Patrick has participated in over a dozen volunteer events ranging from packaging food boxes to send to people throughout various countries who are food insecure, gardening in underserved neighborhoods, helping homeless shelters, and more.
Patrick encourages more players to get involved and use their power and influence for good. UWGSL’s Volunteer Center gives players an easy way to find opportunities to make a positive impact in their home cities or when they’re on the road for away games.
“Do it! You won’t regret it, you’re going to have a ton of fun,” said Patrick. “It’s pretty easy, they set it up, you arrive, do your volunteer service, and then you have the rest of the day to prepare and get ready to go to the ballpark. The impact you will have is greater than what you could imagine.”
Over the course of the next eight months of the upcoming season, there will be potential for generous players like Patrick to help thousands of people as a result of this UWGSL, BLI partnership and there is mutual excitement between both of our organizations.
“Big League Impact’s partnership with United Way is an important one that we are very proud to continue. Last season, countless Major League players were able to conveniently access volunteer opportunities thanks to United Way’s Volunteer Center,” said Wainwright. “United Way and Big League Impact shares the same passion for uplifting and empowering people through generous acts of service and that is why I think this collaboration will continue to be successful.”
“United Way’s Volunteer Center is excited for another baseball season of collaboration and community-focused efforts with Big League Impact that will continue to have broad outreach and influence,” said Rick Skinner, Vice President of the UWGSL Volunteer Center. “We know that other cities across the country face the same obstacles we do here in the St. Louis region, so we are proud to help alleviate the burden on individuals and families nationwide through this exciting and innovative partnership.”
Take action now:
- Learn more about UWGSL’s partnership with BLI.
- Share this story with friends and family.
