No fanfare, no press releases – just $2 million quietly donated… from the heart of a baseball player.
The Chicago Cubs are still in the midst of a fierce midseason race, but amid the numbers and bright lights, Ian Happ made an unexpected “scoring” move – off the field, amid the devastated reality of Texas after the floods.
In mid-June, historic floods swept through South Texas, leaving behind devastating damage: homes destroyed, schools submerged in mud, thousands of families left homeless. The nation’s eyes were on the wounded. And one of the first acts of kindness came from… an unexpected place: Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Despite being part of the Chicago Cubs – a team known for its philanthropic activities – Happ decided to personally donate up to $2 million from his personal account to support emergency organizations, including the Houston Rebuild Foundation and the Texas Disaster Relief Force.
No announcements. No posts. No fanfare. The information only came out after the relief organizations released their financial reports.
“You don’t have to live in a place to feel its pain,” a member of Happ’s communications team revealed as he transferred the money.
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Happ’s money has helped:
Provide emergency aid to more than 8,000 families whose homes were washed away
Provide school supplies to 1,200 students in three devastated elementary schools
Refund temporary water and health systems in four hard-hit districts
This isn’t about me. This is about what I can do to help, when others need it.”
Happ said in a post-game press conference, when asked by reporters about his contribution.
Far from making a case for himself, Ian wanted to keep the story to “one man helping another”.
In a world of sports where shots and goals are often celebrated, Ian Happ had just made a perfect swing – not with a club, but with his heart.
There is no medal for compassion. But for Texas, for thousands of people starting from scratch, Ian Happ’s name will surely be remembered – as the quiet man who reached out when they needed it most.