Members of Congress attended Home Runs for Horton’s Kids, a fundraiser for a local nonprofit that provides services to at-risk students in the District.
By Julie Gallagher
Photo by Jenn Reid and Jim Kurtz.
“Take me out to the ball game; take me out to the crowd…”
Hundreds of attendees, including several congressmen, headed to Nationals Park on the evening of June 21 for a “home run” fundraiser event to support Horton’s Kids, a D.C. community-based nonprofit.
Guests had a blast as they batted and played catch on the field, raced President Teddy, bounced in a bouncy house, and competed in a Fast Pitch Competition at “Home Runs for Horton’s Kids.” The winner of the competition received an autographed Bryce Harper baseball!
Sen. Chris Murphy and family with Ellen Palmer, director, Home Runs for Horton’s Kids. Photo by Jenn Reid & Jim Kurtz.
The annual event, in its 8th year, raised $517,000 to support Horton’s Kids. Horton’s Kids is an organization that serves roughly 500 children in grades K-12 who live in the low-income neighborhood of Wellington Park in Ward 8. They offer tutoring, homework help, a wide array of activities like sports and field trips, and nutrition and health programs. Their Community Resource Center is a “safe and essential hub of the community.” There, children and families can receive meals and other services. Horton’s Kids has been making a difference in these young lives for 27 years and has improved graduation rates, among other successes.
Rep. Crowley, Home Runs for Horton’s Kids co-chair with Horton’s Kids board member Tim Trysla. Photo by Jenn Reid and Jim Kurtz.
Robin Berkley, Horton’s Kids executive director, said the fundraiser at Nationals Park is one of “our favorite nights of the year” and that this year “was one of our most successful yet.”
Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Rep. Charles E. Schumer, D-NY, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., co-chaired the event, with 190 others on the bipartisan Honorary Host Committee.
“Every dollar raised will mean more kids achieving their goals, graduating, going to college and getting jobs. We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors, including the General Motors Foundation, our Congressional co-hosts and the Washington, D.C. community for helping us provide children in Anacostia with the comprehensive supports and resources they need to thrive,” Berkley said.
