Inaugural Houston Astros George Springer All-Star Bowling Benefit

George Springer and SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young scored a home run at the George Springer All-Star Bowling Benefit held on Monday, July 20, 2015, at Lucky Strike Houston.

Springer along with celebrities and 200 fans helped raise more than $100,000. Proceeds from the event will send children from families-in-need to Camp SAY, a life-changing summer camp for young people who stutter. Springer, a person who stutters, hosted the Bowling Benefit to establish the George Springer Kids Fund. The fund provides financial aid help to ensure that children from all socio-economic backgrounds have access to Camp SAY. This summer alone, SAY will award more than $325,000 in financial aid so young people who stutter can discover their own unique voice at Camp SAY.

Kicking-off the pre-game celebration, in the Luxe Lounge, was Taro Alexander, founder of SAY, with "Hype" - a pre-game rally with Springer and guests forming a huge circle of support around all of the kids who stutter. Alexander continued with the inspiring story of his experience as a person who stutters and how he fulfilled his life-long dream by establishing SAY. Springer, national spokesperson for Camp SAY, stepped up to the plate to voice his support for young people who stutter. He welcomed the kids in attendance and all kids who stutter to become a part of his team.  He encouraged them to "be who you are and embrace your stutter."

City of Houston Councilmember Robert Gallegos presented a proclamation from Mayor Annise Parker declaring July 20, 2015 in Houston as "SAY Day" followed by a speech and striking performance by SAY teen Julianna Padilla and E-Street Band Member Everett Bradley. Major League Baseball "Breaking Barriers" national contest winner, Malcolm Venable, also spoke to the crowd about his stutter, and was thrilled to receive a scholarship from Major League Baseball to attend Camp SAY this summer.

The event was in full swing when everyone hit the lanes to bowl with Springer, celebrities and young people who stutter. Attendees cheered on Springer as he announced the celebrity lane captain roster, which included:

• E-Street Band Member & SAY Board Member Everett Bradley

• Houston Astros Carlos Correa

• Philanthropist Carolyn Farb

• KPRC Radio House Michael Garfield

• Yankees pitching legend, "Louisiana Lightning" Ron Guidry

• Former Houston Oiler Haywood Jeffires

• KPRC's Khambrel Marshall

• KTRK's David Nuno

• Former Houston Texan Chester Pitts

Loading up the bases with support from the Houston Astros were Springer's teammates Preston Tucker, Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez, Astros Owner Jim Crane, Manager A.J. Hinch, and President of Business Operations Reid Ryan.

Star players in the game included:  Former MLB Player Adam Dunn, Lara Bell, Laurette Veres, Brett Dolan, Mark Berman, Rob Todd, Gabe Canales, Tara and Reed Looper, Guy Yount, Miss Texas 2015 Sarah Marie, Javier Bracamonte, and SAY Board Member Brandon Guidry.

Victory was made possible with the support of event sponsors: Ernst & Young, the Houston Astros, The Legacy Agency, JW Marriot Downtown Houston, Marucci, The Padgett Group, Nike and The People's Choice Awards.