New York Yankees Recognize Cleaning For A Reason as an Organization of Hope
By Lucy Lee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IT’S A CLEAN SWEEP FOR CLEANING FOR A REASON!
Lewisville, TX – June 8, 2016 – In keeping with the Yankees HOPE Week initiative, the New York Yankees recognized Cleaning For A Reason, a charity that offers complimentary house cleanings to women undergoing treatment for any kind of cancer. New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi wore a Cleaning For A Reason shirt for a press conference aimed at spotlighting the foundation, but his efforts to honor the foundation didn’t stop there.
On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, Girardi, his daughter Lena, and players Carlos Beltrán, Starlin Castro, and Jacoby Ellsbury joined Cleaning for a Reason founder, Debbie Sardone, to surprise a local woman battling cancer with free house cleaning. Cancer patient Marybell Ruiz, who is fighting Stage 4 colon cancer, had no idea who was about to walk through her door.
“The Yankees players were so warm and friendly and made Ruiz feel like a million bucks,” Sardone said. “Her eyes were as big as saucers when they walked in there and they actually started cleaning her home. Her spirits were so lifted. I was amazed at how kind and gentle and genuine they were. They really wanted to help her with her house. They wanted it to be clean; they wanted her to feel special today. It just came through in all of their actions and interactions. They were signing baseballs, signing our aprons. They were there for her; they weren’t there for themselves.”
The Yankee players assisted a volunteer cleaner from Spotless Services with the cleaning of Ruiz’s apartment. After they finished, the group enjoyed lunch before returning to Yankee Stadium.
“It’s great to see people donating their time to come and help these people who are going through tough times,” said Yankees player Carlos Beltran. It means a lot for me to be able to come here and be a part of this. I’m a believer that it’s always great to give back.”
Before Tuesday night’s game vs. the Los Angeles Angels, Sardone and Ruiz threw out the ceremonial first pitch. “Maribel is a huge Yankees fan,” said Sardone. “So now, not only is she going to the game and enjoying the time with her family, but she also has a spotless house compliments of the Yankee players.”
Sardone said that she hopes being part of HOPE Week will inspire more cleaning companies to participate, as well as raise awareness among those in need of assistance.
“Thanks to the Yankees for bringing greater exposure and awareness to the cause. It’s so important because there’s women everywhere who need this service and have no idea the service is available in their local community.” The foundation partners with more than 1,200 cleaning companies throughout the United States and Canada to help these women.
“It was nice to be able to help out, but more importantly just to see the smile on Maribel’s face when we came in,” said Yankees player Jacoby Ellsbury.
Introduced in 2009 and heading into its eighth year in 2016, the Yankees’ HOPE Week initiative (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture.
Read more:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-continue-hope-week-by-helping-cleaning-for-a-reason-1.11889113
