Roberto Clemente Foundation Community Outreach
community outreach
with a servant's heart
September 2017 marked the 45th anniversary of Roberto’s 3,000th hit. It represents one of baseball’s most triumphant moments and the crown jewel of baseball’s most beloved player.
However, it wasn’t all about the records broken and games won, it was about service to humanity. Roberto once said that he wanted “to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give.” His statement wasn’t specific to baseball. Roberto considered himself, first and foremost, a servant to the people who needed him.
Photo: Luis Clemente
Helping the Needy
When the earthquake hit Nicaragua in December 1972, Roberto managed to make contact with a man in Managua to take stock of the damages and what was needed in the country. They needed everything, of course. The next week was spent making announcements and organizing collections of aid supplies from all over the island.
He made a guest appearance on a popular game show with the great singer and future senator Ruth Fernandez, commending the island’s youth for their help and asking for further donations. One of the collection centers was Hiram Bithorn Stadium, where he played often as a youngster. They collected several tons of supplies and more than $100,000 for the effort.
Vera Clemente with Rookie of the Year and three times American League batting champion, Tony Oliva.
Photo: Jean Fruth / National Baseball Hall of Fame
Called to Service
Of course, we all know what happened next. The plane was a compromised DC-7 bought off a dingy lot in Miami, and the owner was a loose cannon with a history of defying air safety regulations. The plane barely cleared the palm trees at the edge of the runway and disappeared some miles north of Los Piñones beach. Losing Roberto was a tragedy that shook the island and world. But, he left us with his mission as a legacy for all generations. He said it best himself:
“If you have an opportunity to accomplish something that will make things better for someone coming behind you, and you don’t do that, you are wasting your time on this earth.”
Photo: Unsplash
A Higher Calling
Join us today as we bring the Roberto Clemente Foundation into the future. Our commitment to “building nations of good” has sustained this organization and will mark our efforts going forward as well. With your help, we can spread Roberto’s legacy of faith, love, and service to thousands of needy people all over the world. Our focus is on relief efforts for areas stricken by recent disasters and long-term poverty.
RCF responds to disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. We rely on partnership with people like you that loved Roberto and what he stood for.
Photo: National Baseball Hall of Fame
