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Pujols News FALL 2009 THE OFFICIAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PUJOLS FAMILY FOUNDATION ISSUE TWO 2009 Celebrity Golf Classic Star-studded event player gave up his off-day to raises funds for Pujols trek out approximately 40 Family Foundation miles from downtown St. Louis. Of course, there was 8.31.09 golf awaiting them when they By Matthew Leach / MLB.com got there, but even so, it was telling. ST. LOUIS -- On a lovely, surprisingly mild late-summer The annual Albert Pujols day, nearly every Cardinals Celebrity Golf Classic took THIS ISSUE F A L L 0 9 The Third Annual Prom Coming Events place on Monday at the Country Club at St. Alban's, west of St. Louis. And it was hard to find a Cardinals player who didn't show up -- from fellow sluggers like Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel to starting pitchers like Kyle Lohse and Chris Carpenter, to relievers Ryan Franklin and Brad Thompson to the double-play combination of Brendan Ryan and Skip Schumaker. They could have been anywhere on their off-day, and they came out to participate in the fundraiser for the Pujols Family Foundation. And it wasn't just players. General manager John Mozeliak and manager Tony La Russa showed up, not to mention stars such as Amaury Nolasco from television's "Prison Break." In total, more than 300 people participated -- an estimated 63 groups, each consisting of four players plus a celebrity. "It means a lot," Pujols said before the foursomes hit the course. "It's a gorgeous day today to play golf, but “It's about the lives that also knowing what we're here for -- it's a we can change through charity event to raise our foundation. At the end money for my of the day, that's where foundation. I definitely we keep our focus." want to thank my .” teammates -- we don't have too many days off during the year -- for showing up here and supporting the foundation. And to all the celebrities from all around the country for showing up and supporting my foundation. Hopefully, we can get a good turnout. Hopefully, it doesn't rain and we have a great day." The weather held, and the relatively low temperatures made for a perfect day to be outside. The golf tournament is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people in St. Louis and Pujols' native Dominican Republic -- especially people with Down syndrome. Last Following the golf, the year's tournament raised participants attended a roughly $400,000. reception and charity auction, all geared toward raising "This is to give back to the money for the foundation. community and back to the Upcoming events for the Dominican Republic," Pujols foundation include the Autumn said. "To me, that's what it's Prom, a dance for people who all about -- to give back to have Down syndrome, and the them. It's not about us. ... It's annual "O Night Divine" about the lives that we can Christmas fundraiser. change through our foundation. At the end of the Matthew Leach is a reporter day, that's where we keep our for MLB.com. This story was not focus." subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. “It’s not about us.” It’s Party Time! 2009 Autumn So when his mom, Donna Biffar, pulled into the Crowne Prom Draws Plaza on the evening of October Record Numbers 23, Mike, 22, bolted out of the back seat, ran around the back 10.23.09 of the car and he and Kristen flew up the red carpet into the by Anna M. Jones lobby, all but leaving mom and Making the trek to Clayton grandma in a cloud of dust. from Smithton, Il., Mike was definitely worried that he and But as soon as Donna heard the his date, Kristen, would be late cheering throng greet Mike and for the big night, the third Kristen, she knew all was well. annual Pujols Family “He was so worried he’d miss Foundation Autumn Prom. that part,” said Donna of the red-carpet greeting that welcomes all the prom-goers. “That and the food are his favorite. He’s been so excited. “He says, ‘We eat, we shake our bootie, we kiss.’ It’s a very romantic evening for him. … Those two are inseparable. They’ll be coming to this event forever.” Approximately 350 youths and adults with Down syndrome and their dates attended the prom, making it the biggest turnout yet at the event. Attendees ranged from 16 years well into adulthood, and attire even included tuxedos for some of the guys and formal gowns and heels for some of the gals. Needless to say, the ballroom was stunning. But perhaps even more impressive was all the food. Three of four walls were lined with every imaginable item possible. From Papa John’s pizza to a burger bar to pastas, a gluten And some even arrived via free table, desserts, plus Maui limousine. Wowi smoothies, Fitz’s root “It’s fun, I like dancing,” beer, Cold Stone Creamery said a giggling Kaitlyn and more! Trower, 16, who was By 7:30 p.m. every table, excited to be old enough including some located just “We eat, we to attend the now much- outside the ballroom, was full anticipated event. She with couples laughing and shake our came with her date and eating and waving their arms classmate, Chris Burkhart, to Smashband’s tunes. bootie, we kiss.” 16, and added that, “We both like the slow dances.” By 7:50 p.m., all eyes were on kicked off the rest of the Even Theresa Mingo, 78, stage. Albert Pujols, who had evening by asking everyone, who attended with her son, just undergone elbow surgery “Are you ready to rock the James Patrick, 51, was two days earlier, took to the house tonight!” dancing her heart out. stage and was joined by Deidre, who is pregnant with And with that, the dance floor “I just enjoy seeing the young the Pujols’ fourth child. was packed for the better part adults having so much fun,” of the next two-plus hours, said Theresa, a former Albert even laughed about with prom-goers dancing to professional dancer. perhaps having a fifth child everything from Funkytown “Everyone here is so someday, to match his jersey to Michael Jackson’s Thriller motivated. And there’s so, so number, and then Deidre to a Miley Cyrus tune or two. much love here.” And energy. With Mike of Once AJ found his way up to the Mike’s Balloon Creations Cardinals mascot, he grabbed making elaborate balloon hat Fredbird and pulled him –and characters, the dance floor was a the crowd -- across the dance wild array of bopping heads and floor to a corner near the stage sweaty kids. where a tuxedo-clad young man in a wheelchair was taking in the “I like dancing and music,” said action. Jimmy Simmons, 25, who danced for hours with date The young man, Jessie, 21, was Jessica Berry, 24. attending his first Autumn Prom and when he saw Fredbird, his With all the energy in the room, face absolutely glowed. Fredbird it didn’t take long for the spent the next few minutes high- attendees to climb up on the fiving and playing with Jessie as stage and join in with the the crowd laughed and clapped. Smashband members, who could not have been more “This is so wonderful,” said accommodating. The band Jessie’s mom, Cathy Mullins. members even shared their “This is the happiest place on microphones and instruments earth right now.” with the dozens who joined them. Just minutes later, the Smashband was back, the music “This is the most rocking dance thumping, and a Fredbird-led we do all year! And that conga line the length of the includes New Year’s, which is room (and then some) was rocking too,” band leader Smash weaving its way out one told the crowd. ballroom door and back in through another. A telling moment about the spirit of the evening came when It was truly an amazing night the band took a brief break at that everyone was able to share 8:30. Even that didn’t slow in. The Pujols Family some of the prom-goers, and Foundation Autumn Prom has when St. Louis Cardinals become one of the most mascot Fredbird made his debut anticipated events of the year. a few minutes later, he was And everyone cannot wait for swarmed on the dance floor. next year. About 50 people were bantering and mugging and posing with Fredbird, when 8-year-old AJ Pujols weaved and wove his way through the crowd to catch Fredbird’s attention. Event Calender In keeping with their commitment to Faith, Family and Others, the Pujols Family Foundation is teaming with the local community to host or co- host the following events. Upcoming Events (all dates subject to change without notice): December 5, 2009 5th O' Night Divine High 5 Events: Christmas Celebration We invite you to join St. Louis Cardinals All-Star First November 2009: Clothing Baseman Albert Pujols and his Drive wife, Deidre, for O Night Divine, a Christmas event December 19, 2009: Serving benefiting the Pujols Family Lunch and Clothing Drive at Foundation. The event is set St. Peter and St. Paul for Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Chase Park Plaza For more information about in St. Louis, MO. Tickets for these and other High 5 events this event will go on sale in please contact Dianne Trower October 2009.