Two Mississippi State baseball players are teaming with Make-A-Wish Mississippi to help raise money to grant wishes to critically ill children.
Stone Simmons and Hunter Hines, along with Simmons Erosion Control, announced “Home Runs for Wishes” Wednesday night at a press event in Starkville.
The premise is simple: for every home run Hunter Hines hits this year during a Mississippi State Baseball game, Simmons Erosion Control will donate $1,000 to Make-a-Wish Mississippi.
Allison Tyler, Director of Make-A-Wish Mississippi, said the idea for the fundraiser came from former board member Craig Peterhansen.
“He [Peterhansen] had gotten to know Stone and Hunter through the baseball program because they had volunteered at our [Make-A-Wish] evening of wishes,” said Tyler. “We sat down and thought, ‘how can we raise awareness…. and then also to raise money at the same time?’ So he [Peterhansen] was the one to lead it all, but it’s been a partnership with lots of people.”
Hines’ 54 home runs put him at 2nd place for the all-time home run record at Mississippi State. He needs 14 more to set the all time record, currently held my Rafael Palmeiro.
There were two Make-A-Wish recipients in attendance, including 8-year-old Addison Cummins, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was two months old. Her wish is to visit Disney World and Universal Studios.
“I want to go to Harry Potter World and get some stuff for my friend, said Addison. “She loves Harry Potter and I want try to get some stuff for her, because she’s a really good friend.”
A 2015 Make-A-Wish study revealed that critically ill patients who have a wish granted showed improved quality of life and reduction in general distress, depression, and anxiety following their wish experience.
Addison’s mother Whitney said the plan is for her wish to be granted this summer.
“I just celebrated and was very happy about that [having her wish granted] because it just brightened up my future,” said Addison.
Anyone wishing to be a part of this Make-a-Wish campaign can donate at HomeRunsforWishes.com.
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