Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel donated $10,000 to a local nonprofit program caring for the children of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Children’s Home of Cincinnati announced Wednesday.
“I’ve been very fortunate, and the people of Cincinnati have been very welcoming to me,” Senzel said in a news release. “Baseball is fueled by the communities we play in. It’s very easy to partner with an organization that’s committed to helping local families impacted by COVID-19. I’m proud to be part of the fight in this small way.”
The Children’s Home provides year-round behavioral health and education services for local families, especially those whose children have developmental disabilities.
Its latest program caters to a new need: Parents whose status as “essential workers” prevents them from being able to stay home with their children while schools and daycares are closed.
The emergency childcare program has repurposed CoStars Preschool to serve the children of essential workers — largely health care workers and first responders. According to The Children’s Home, teacher-to-student ratios have been significantly reduced and classroom sizes have been adjusted to keep the school pandemic-safe.
Twelve children were attending at the time of Senzel’s donation; The Children’s Home hoped to welcome more soon.
“I can’t begin to thank Nick enough for his generosity,” president and CEO John Banchy wrote in a news release. “Cincinnati has a long tradition of supporting our own in times of need and he’s demonstrative of that. His donation is, right now and in real-time, helping kids and parents who have no where else to turn as our entire community navigates unchartered waters.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the emergency childcare program, including whether they qualify, can contact The Children’s Home at 513-527-7306.
