Major League Baseball Player to Build Facilities on Boles Children’s Home Campus
ARLINGTON, Texas – March 24, 2010 – The Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation will break ground on its first project on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, when Major Leaguer Vernon Wells and his wife Charlene begin construction of two North Texas quadraplex homes for single mothers and their children who are in need of financial and emotional support. The public and media are invited to the ceremony at 11 a.m. on the Arms of Hope – Boles Children’s Home campus just outside of Dallas. The Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation was established in 2009 by Toronto Blue Jays center fielder and Arlington native Vernon Wells to support and protect children and mothers in need.
“We’re excited to begin construction on our first project just a few months after our first major fundraiser,” said Vernon Wells. “Working in partnership with Arms of Hope, one of the most respected facilities in the country, we’re fulfilling our goal of providing shelter to single mothers and children while encouraging and equipping them to improve their lives. This is the first step in our long term plan to help those truly in need.”
The ceremony is on April 6, which is in the middle of a three-day season opening series between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays. Vernon and Charlene Wells, the Foundation board and representatives from Arms of Hope will attend the ceremony. The two new homes are scheduled for completion this year.
Boles Children’s Home is located at 7065 Love in Quinlan, Texas. It is run by Arms of Hope, a 501(c)(3) not- for-profit Christian care organization that assists children and single-mother families in need. Arms of Hope’s other facility is Medina Children’s Home near San Antonio. The facilities have over 135 years combined experience in comprehensive residential care programs for children.
”Arms of Hope does not receive federal or state grants,” added Kevin M. McDonald, Arms of Hope President and Chief Executive Officer. “Instead, we rely on caring individuals, businesses, civic groups, churches and foundations, like the Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation, for funding and volunteer support. By partnering on eight new family housing units on our Boles Children’s Home campus, both organizations are maximizing the funds raised to improve our community and change lives.”
Through its Residential Child Care, Together Program, College and Career, Right Start, and Outreach Ministry programs, Arms of Hope is committed to providing a safe haven and Christian environment for children and single-mother families by helping them avoid homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect and by leading them to lives of sustaining and productive citizenship. The campus residents attend public school, nearby universities or trade schools and participate in school, church and campus activities.
In 2007, Vernon and Charlene Wells partnered with Michael Young and Taunee Taylor of the Texas Rangers baseball club, as well as Arlington Police Officer Stephanie Gillespie in a charitable endeavor that forever changed their lives. They took a group of underprivileged children shopping for basic necessities.
“These children are among the homeless population in Arlington, living in motels with their parents who are unable to provide regular meals and proper hygiene,” noted Charlene Wells. “We initiated a plan to make a difference in their lives by creating the Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation to support and protect children in need. Over the past year, we’ve begun fundraising and now we will put those funds to work with our first facility. Our Board and those who support our Foundation are delighted with this milestone and are motivated to reach the families who first inspired Perfect 10.”
About The Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation
Established in 2009 by Arlington, Texas native and Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells and his wife Charlene, the Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation is a Christian faith-based organization established to support and protect children and mothers in need. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization. For more information, visit VernonWellsFoundation.org or contact Scott Black at (214) 520- 3430 ext. 303 or sblack@tprm-usa.com.
Tags: Arms of Hope Youth and Family Solutions, Boles Children's Home, Medina Campus, Vernon Wells