Met player thrills kids at Atlas Park

Ten Queens kids received the thrill of a lifetime as Mets third baseman David Wright had lunch with them and their families on Saturday, June 17, as part of a promotion celebrating Father’s Day entitled “Dad Makes a Difference” Day at The Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale.
During the event, which was sponsored by Atlas Park, Radio Disney and the David Wright Foundation, children under the age of 14 entered to win lunch for themselves and their families at Johnnie Rockets. Ten lucky winners were chosen at random by Wright.
“The fact that he came out today really inspires kids,” said City Councilman Dennis Gallagher. “It’s a great event; it’s a great day, and I’m thankful that Atlas sponsored it.”
Jerry Klaar’s 11-year-old son Kevin was one of the children who won a spot at the lunch with Wright.
“It was excellent. He’s a very nice guy,” said Klaar, a Glendale resident. “I had a great time. My son was very happy.”
Wright said that the biggest difference his parents made in his life, involved the sacrifices they made including driving him to practices and tournaments.
“It’s unbelievable … how they put my brothers and me before themselves,” said Wright, who started his foundation last year to benefit children and those affected by Multiple Sclerosis.
Gallagher said that his father, even while working three jobs, made community service a priority and attributed that to his decision to become a public servant.
“I think that’s probably why I went into public service - because of what my father showed me by the way he lived his life,” he said.
After celebrating Father’s Day with the contest winners, Wright also spoke about his favorite childhood memory.
“Probably my earliest childhood memory is my father and grandfather throwing a wiffleball and letting me hit it in the backyard of my grandfather’s house,” Wright said. “Those memories are the things that mean the most to me because that had so much influence on getting me where am I now.”