At Mercy Home visit, Renteria gives back
CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Rick Renteria and his wife, Ilene, traveled from the West Coast to Chicago specifically for Tuesday’s Thanksgiving dinner for the children and staff at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.
They were joined by White Sox front office staff to serve and entertain more than 200 people currently living and working at Mercy Home’s West Loop and Walsh campuses. It’s a sense of giving back that the White Sox manager embraces and understood was expected as soon he became part of the organization.
“There are a lot of needs that could be met, and the organization has always imparted that to the players and to us as a staff,” Renteria said. “To be able to be a part of something like this is pretty awesome.
“You impact people in a very positive way however you can. We have a tremendous number of volunteers who are here from the White Sox organization right now. We are all called to serve each other, and it’s a positive thing for us to do.”
Tuesday’s occasion included a turkey dinner, dessert and live entertainment. It created a family-like atmosphere for the group similar to what they would experience at home during the holidays. Mercy Home residents received gifts including a White Sox fleece blanket.
This event is an extension of the community outreach program from the Renteria family, Club 36, which supports Mercy Home through outings and visits with residents.
“I was introduced through White Sox Charities,” Renteria said. “Came out, visited with some of the kids. We were able to make a little connection. We’ve tried to do something where we can get them out there and see us in our world a little bit. Have them experience it and hopefully find some joy in it and by the same token, us just being able to talk to some of the kids and some of the things they want to do in their life.”
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and his wife, Bria, gave away 205 turkeys in their city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Monday in conjunction with Anderson’s League of Leaders. The generosity runs throughout the White Sox organization, and Thanksgiving becomes a good time for these individuals to regroup, be thankful for what they have and frequently share that good fortune with others.
“All of us certainly need an offseason,” Renteria said. “The regular season, baseball season, life in general, it’s just a grind, more so for others in certain situations.
“Sometimes, it’s nice to be able to step back and really appreciate and take an understanding of how blessed you really are in many, many different ways and be able to just take a breath and really appreciate what you have. Not everybody is as fortunate, so for us to be able to be a part of this, I hope it’s something that’s uplifting to everybody.”