Hamels' house donation will 'truly change' lives

ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife, Heidi, have decided to make their home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In doing so, the Hamels are donating a 32,000-square-foot home in southwest Missouri to charity. The home, on Table Rock Lake, is being given to Camp Barnabas.
"There are tons of amazing charities in southwest Missouri. Out of all of these, Barnabas really pulled on our heartstrings," Hamels said in a release. "Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it. Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way."
Heidi Hamels is originally from southwest Missouri, and the Hamels Foundation has many charity endeavors in the area. But this is a significant gift.
Based in southwest Missouri, Camp Barnabas is a non-profit charitable organization that includes two locations dedicated to providing life-changing experiences to individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses, as well as their siblings.
The 10-bedroom house listed for $9.75 million this summer and is located on 100 acres. This gift marks the largest donation in the history of Barnabas.
"This is so much more than a beautiful property." said Krystal Simon, chief development officer. "This incredible gift allows us to further our ministry and truly change thousands of lives for years to come."
Over the past 24 years, Camp Barnabas has welcomed more than 75,000 campers and missionaries to camp. The organization also includes Barnabas Prep, a two-year faith-based collegiate program based in Branson, Mo., designed specifically for students with special needs.
"Our mission is to change lives through disability ministry, and we've been strategically looking for ways to expand our ministry outside of a summer camp," CEO Jason Brawner said. "We have no doubt that this gift will allow us to do just that."
A news conference will be held in Branson, Mo., on Tuesday.