Not only does former Magnolia resident Jamie Moyer continue to defy Father Time, but the famed major league baseball pitcher amazes fans while still being able to help others.
At the age of 49, the veteran left-hander, who now pitches for the Colorado Rockies, re-wrote the record books on April 17 when he became the oldest pitcher to ever win a major league baseball game when he beat the San Diego Padres 5-3. Moyer broke a record set by Brooklyn Dodger Jack Quinn almost 80 years ago.
Moyer’s feat was all the more amazing considering that after the 2010 season he was out of the Major Leagues and injured his elbow while playing in the Dominican Winter Leagues. He was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in December of 2010, missing the entire 2011 season. However, he battled his way back, getting a minor-league contract with the Rockies in January of this year and then surprising many by working his way onto the major league roster.
Moyer’s recent accomplishments on the mound have also shed new light on his philanthropic activities off the mound. Moyer and his wife, Karen, are continuing to expand their nonprofit foundation formed to empower children in distress by providing education and support and to help them live healthy and inspired lives.
The organization, known as the Moyer Foundation, was originally founded in Magnolia, back during the time when Moyer played for the Seattle Mariners. The current offices remain in the alley behind Magnolia’s U.S. Bank in a building owned by Bert Lundh.
The Moyers were touched by a girl named Erin Metcalfe, the daughter of a family friend who lost her battle with cancer in 2000 at the age of 17. Erin’s wish was to help other children coping with a loss.
The courageous young woman inspired Jamie and Karen Moyer to launch Camp Erin in 2002 in Everett. It is a bereavement camp created and funded by the Moyer Foundation and designed for children and teens, between the ages of 6 and 17, who have experienced the death of someone close to them. The camp is a traditional experience, full of fun and high-energy activities that adds professional grief counseling, education and emotional support.
As Moyer’s career has taken the family far and wide (he has pitched for eight different Major League teams in his career) the foundation has also traveled throughout the country. Today, the foundation supports nearly 40 camps across the country, including a camp in every city that boasts a Major League Baseball team. the foundation has offices in Magnolia and Philadelphia. The Moyers and their children have a permanent home in San Diego.
The organization partners with healthcare and bereavement organizations in each city to help run the camps. They also work with local corporate sponsors, community groups and partner agencies to make sure that the camp is always free for the young people who attend.
In fact, the insurance company New York Life recently announced they were donating $1 million to the foundation during the next three years. New York Life has been a supporter of Camp Erin since 2008, but this is still the largest single donation ever given to the foundation.
Despite its growth and success, the organization remains a lean outfit, employing only 13 fulltime staff members, between the Seattle and Philadelphia offices, said Rachel Chiechi, marketing and communications manager for the foundation.
One of the current focuses of the foundation is supporting children of military families who are grieving a loss. The foundation is actively reaching out to military families who have experienced such a loss in Washington state and in the San Diego area.
In recent years, the Moyers have launched a new initiative, called Camp Mariposa. It is a weekend camp created and funded by the Moyer Foundation and focused on helping children ages 9 to 12 who are facing the challenges of living with an addicted or alcoholic parent or relative. Just like Camp Erin, Camp Mariposa gives kids in a difficult situation a chance to enjoy themselves for a weekend while also getting the help and counseling they may need to get through this difficult time. Camp Mariposa is currently serving children in Seattle; South Bend, Ind.; Sarasota, Fla.; and Philadelphia.
The Moyers will hold their annual giving luncheon at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel. This year’s theme is “celebrating our roots, expanding our reach,” Chiechi said.
The Moyer Foundation’s Humanitarian Award will be given to former Seattle Mariner, two-time All-Star and World Series Champion John Olerud and his wife, Kelly, for their commitment to philanthropy on behalf of children in need. Those attending the event will have the opportunity to speak with Jamie Moyer, through prior arrangements. Karen Moyer will also be available to speak with attendees.
For more information on the luncheon and the organization, visit www.moyerfoundation.org.
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