February 9, 200620 yr MIAMI -- Hurricane Wilma may have ripped through Florida in October, but the effects of the powerful Category 2 storm linger as many residents are still in the process of repairing their property damage. Keenly aware of Florida's vulnerability to hurricanes, the Marlins on Thursday extended a helping hand in the efforts of dealing with these devastating storms. About 20 Marlins players, and two of the players' wives, helped assemble the framework of a house that will be donated to a Miami family that lost its home in Hurricane Wilma. Working in conjunction with Major League Baseball and Habitat for Humanity, the Marlins became the third Major League team to build a house for storm victims. The Habitat for Humanity program is assisting areas struck hard by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma last year. Katrina roared through South Florida before developing into a monstrous storm that severely damaged the Gulf Coast. "We always have hurricane awareness, we advertise that at games, talk about it, and we try to schedule more off days in September for makeup games," Marlins president David Samson said. On Oct. 4, 2005, Major League Baseball pledged $1 million to the Habitat for Humanity International rebuilding effort. This year, 10 teams will build 12 new homes for those affected by the major storms. The Astros started off the program by building homes for eight Katrina victims during the World Series. Since then, homes have been built by the Mariners and Braves. Later in the month, the Twins and Mets will take part in the program, building homes at their respective Spring Training sites. Additionally, the Florida Marlins Community Foundation contributed $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity. "The only stipulation we made with this program was the house has to stay here in Miami," said Nancy Olson, the executive director of the community foundation. "They have needs in the Gulf Coast and we need help here, too." Thursday's event took place in the parking lot at Dolphins Stadium, where a number of players traded in their baseball caps for hard hats. Twenty Marlins players picked up hammers and drills and put together wood supports for walls. Among the players helping out were Josh Willingham, Jason Vargas, Scott Olsen, Chris Resop, Chris Aguila, Josh Johnson, Reggie Abercrombie, Robert Andino, Jeremy Hermida and Matt Treanor. Vargas' wife, Shelley, and Willingham's wife, Ginger, also took part. "This is important because it shows it's not just about baseball," Samson said. "We've always said that the community is what matters the most. In order to have fans, you have to have a community. For people who lost their homes, it's hard for them to be fans if they have no place to live. This is a far bigger priority." Seeing so many players in hard hats and hammering in nails had its lighter side, too. "When you're a professional athlete, you think you can do everything well," Samson said. "I'm very much enjoying watching these guys unable to hammer a nail. And all the workers are looking at them saying, 'I can't believe you look absolutely uncoordinated and disastrous.'" Andino, a Miami native, fully understands the power of major storms. He was nine when Hurricane Andrew hammered the Miami area. For about six months, Andino and his family lived in Orlando with his uncle. Resop, who lives in Naples, Fla., says he was fortunate to not be hit hard by Wilma, which left him without power for about 10 hours. "This effort is awesome, because there are a lot of families in need," Resop said. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla
February 10, 200620 yr Author Excellent. I hope this is a warmup for the stadium. :lol :lol :notworthy
February 10, 200620 yr Among the players helping out were Josh Willingham, Jason Vargas, Scott Olsen, Chris Resop, Chris Aguila, Josh Johnson, Reggie Abercrombie, Robert Andino, Jeremy Hermida and Matt Treanor. Vargas' wife, Shelley, and Willingham's wife, Ginger, also took part. My heroes. :wub: He cut his hair.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
February 10, 200620 yr Among the players helping out were Josh Willingham, Jason Vargas, Scott Olsen, Chris Resop, Chris Aguila, Josh Johnson, Reggie Abercrombie, Robert Andino, Jeremy Hermida and Matt Treanor. Vargas' wife, Shelley, and Willingham's wife, Ginger, also took part. My heroes. :wub: He cut his hair.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :banghead :banghead
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