BY DONNA BUNCE, Register Columnist
More than 500 guests came to the Diamond Club at Angel Stadium Tuesday night to support Rex & Jennifer Hudler’s Team Up for Down Syndrome’s annual fundraiser, and thanks to their support, an estimated $150,000 was raised for the cause. The Hudlers have been raising money to help improve the lives of individuals and their families living with Down syndrome ever Rex & Jennifer Hudler’s Team Up for Down Syndrome’s annual fundraiser. “I’m so thankful to be the dad of a child with Down syndrome,” Rex said. “These kids are a huge credit to our lives and to society, and there is a place for them.” Jennifer added, “Hopefully, Team Up for Down Syndrome has made more people aware of all the possibilities children with disabilities can contribute to society.”
The evening progressed from a very impressive 225-item silent auction, made even more fun by the fabulous Vince Bob & Buddy Band playing classic hits from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, to a tasty dinner and viewing of the All-Star Game on TVs throughout the club as well as on Jumbetrons from the terrace. Dessert remains the same every year – yummy milk and dark chocolate fountains cascading over your pick of marshmallows, cookies and fruit.
Guests later gathered in the stadium seats at the top of the dugout for some special awards and recognitions as well as the live auction. April and Tom Dominguez’s daughter, six-year-old Isabella, started things off joined by other children with Down syndrome, by leading the crowd in singing baseball’s signature song, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The Hudlers especially recognized Team Up for Down Syndrome staff Judee Stapp and Jennifer Johns before thanking their many sponsors, including presenting sponsor FreeCreditReport.com as well as Angels Baseball, Byron Marquez 66ers Baseball: Affiliation of the LA Dodgers (their cheerleaders were event volunteers), and RCC Inc. – Developer of Leisure World. They acknowledged the excellent work done by organizations working in housing, health research, education, job training, and family counseling by giving grants from Team Up for Down Syndrome to Intervention Center for Early Childhood, Stillpoint Resources, Healthy Smiles for Kids, Goodwill Industries of Orange County, Finally Home Foundation, Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, UC Irvine Down Syndrome Project with Dr. Ira Lott, and Dr. William Mobley and his work with Down syndrome at UC San Diego. Mobley, who Rex introduced as his cousin, predicts that his research is making great strides in dealing with the additional third chromosome 21 with which a Down syndrome child is born.
The live auction, led by Larry Zucker of the Gavel Group, saw an adorable purebred white Labrador puppy go for $4,500 to longtime supporters Nancy and Harvey Brown. The “Wonder Dog’s” (Rex’s nickname from his baseball days) famous dinner for eight went twice for $3,000 each to Advisory Board member Dr. Clyde Wesp and his wife Suzanne and to Chris and Kathleen Disandro. Longtime supporter Judy Barham opted for the Meet and Greet with Angels great Torii Hunter at Spring Training 2010 for $5,500 and paid $3,200 for the autographed and mounted bat of St. Louis Cardinals A.J. Pujols, who Rex claims is the greatest player in baseball today. A bombastic fireworks display signaled the end of the heartwarming affair.
As you probably know by now, the American League won the All-Star Game and, according to Rex, the Angels will have home field advantage when the 2010 All-Star Game is played at Angel Stadium. Since the Team Up for Down Syndrome fundraiser is always the same night, Rex and Jennifer say they’ll come up with an alternate plan for next year. Stay tuned…
Contact the writer: Contact the writer: donna@coastmagazine.com