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BATTER, UP! Tuesday’s first shipment of Rally Squirrel merchandise to 12 locations sold out—within 45 minutes! Foundation staff and volunteers again worked feverishly to restock sales locations. With offices-turned-distribution-centers, the fur was flying! Wednesday’s shipment also sold out quickly, with lines of customers waiting for Rally’s charity apparel at all sales locations. The Foundation team definitely had its work cut out just keeping up with the enthusiastic demands of Cardinals fans.
MEET AND GREET With all the fashion frenzy, Rally had made several public appearances around town since selecting SSM Cardinal
Glennon as his designated charity. But it was now time for him to visit his biggest fans: patients and families at the medical center. Surrounded by Foundation staff and volunteers, Rally strolled through patient rooms and hallways, handed out trading cards, greeted patients and staff, and gave out tons of hugs, all documented by St. Louis media representatives hot on the trail of Rally Squirrel Fever. Returning to the Foundation office, Rally heard the incredible news: as goodwill ambassador for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, the Rally Squirrel charity apparel had generated more than $150,000 for the Foundation. An unbelievable total in just four days of sales!
Now, that’s just nuts. Go crazy, folks!
THE GAME After sharing good times with the patients, Rally knew he needed to do something to keep smiles on their faces when he wasn’t around. Accustomed to running, climbing and scampering everywhere (he is a squirrel, after all) Rally announced that the money raised
incredible playground, right above the Bob Costas Cancer Center, and now we have the additional funding to see it through, thanks to the thousands of generous St. Louisans who have rallied around our Cardinals and the kids at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center,” Buck said. “Rally couldn’t be happier designating this money to help fund the playground. It’s an amazing opportunity to make a long-term impact on our kids.”
THE CELEBRATION News like that called for a celebration. Rally stepped out in style the next evening as a guest of honor at the Pujols Family Foundation Prom, an annual event for kids with Down Syndrome. With a full dance card, Rally mixed and mingled with prom guests, many of whom are SSM Cardinal Glennon patients. Last stop of the evening was at St. Simon the Apostle grade school’s Friday Night Lights celebration. In true Rally style, he cheered for the kids playing soccer, and, after a turn in goal, took the stage, grabbing an electric guitar and wowing the crowd with his new-found talent.
Rally couldn’t be happier to help fund the playground above the Bob Costas Cancer Center... from his charity apparel would be used to build an outdoor playground at the medical center. The Foundation staff was thrilled with the idea! “We’ve had plans for an Left: Rally visiting SSM Cardinal Glennon patients Below: Rally checking out his new playground location above the Bob Costas Cancer Center
12 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
After that busy Friday night, Rally continued on Saturday with appearances throughout the area, meeting and greeting St. Louisans and building awareness for