With the holiday season nearing its end, a few former Yankees have been giving back to their communities in recent weeks.
For example, CC and Amber Sabathia’s PitCCh In Foundation hosted its annual Holiday Caravan for about 110 kids from the John Grimm Madison Boys and Girls Club and the Bronx Arts Charter School earlier this month. The festive event took place at American Dream’s Nickelodeon Universe in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 6 and featured a pop-up store that allowed kids to “shop” for items — at the expense of the foundation and various sponsors. The kids were then provided food and tickets to the Nickelodeon Universe theme park.
“This is important. This is our biggest event,” CC Sabathia said before posing for photos with the kids. “This is something that I kind of dreamt up in my head, me and Amber. Just wanted to do something good for kids during this time. I know it’s tough for some of these families, so if we can pick up the slack in some of these areas, I think we can help out.”
The former Cy Young winner did more than just help, as the kids had plenty of choices when it came to their shopping spree. With stacks of Nike shoeboxes, Jordan Brand drawstring bags and winter coats, and apparel boasting the logos of local sports teams — even the Mets — kids were able to leave in style. There were also plenty of toys and candy to take home, in addition to necessities.
Sabathia, eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time in 2025, wasn’t alone in spreading holiday cheer this month, as 2009 championship teammate Nick Swisher and his wife, actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher, greeted children and read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa on Dec. 4. The event was part of the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family’s 34th Annual Children’s Holiday Concert Series.
The annual tradition was originally created by George M. Steinbrenner as a way to give back to at-risk and underprivileged children in the Tampa community.
Back in Brooklyn, Dellin Betances gave back to the city he grew up in by leading a pre-Thanksgiving food drive at P.S. 257 John F. Hylan Elementary.
The initiative saw more than 300 turkeys, canned foods and other items distributed to local families.
“A lot of families were happy with the event,” Betances, who went to high school at Brooklyn’s Grand Street Campus, told the YES Network. “It was a great event.”