Quantifying Hope: Cubs Charities, David Ross Surprise 2020 Grads

Hope is one of the few things we’ve got left right now, and even that seems to be dwindling with all the talk about financial disputes and minor league cuts. That’s why I wanted to make this column literal in order to share a little good news coming from the Cubs front. It’s got nothing to do with baseball, but maybe it’ll lift your spirits a little just the same.

Cubs Charities recently facilitated graduation parades across the city for Cubs Scholars and Cubs RBI All-Stars that are graduating from high school this year. The 20 graduates were surprised by a parade of decorated cars outside their homes led by Cubs associates, Toyota employees, and Clark the Cub. Toyota donated vehicles for use in the parades.

The grads also received a commencement speech video from Cubs manager David Ross, a personalized photo of their names on the Wrigley Field Marquee, graduation tassels with a Cubs charm, gift bags from Toyota and Cubs Scholars grads received a Cubs stole.

https://youtu.be/OPZhNAJEK5o

The Cubs Scholars program, which launched in 2013, offers Chicago inner-city high school students a $20,000 college scholarship and a Cubs College Prep mentorship program. The Cubs RBI program is part of Major League Baseball’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) youth program designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball among underserved youth.

It may not seem like much in the face of everything else going on in the world, but this made me feel just a little bit better and I’m hoping it does the same for some of you. Sometimes little things really can make a difference.