St. Louis, Missouri – When Willson Contreras stepped onto the field with red eyes, fans only saw the pain of loss. But few knew that behind that pain, a deeply humane decision was born: to set up a charity fund named after his late grandmother, dedicated to children who stutter.
For Contreras, she was not only the closest person, but also the first person to believe in and guide him through the small but haunting challenges of his childhood. “She taught me to say each word,” Contreras choked up at the press conference, his eyes brimming with tears. “When I stumbled with words, she never laughed at me. She was patient, she believed that one day I would speak for myself.”
Contreras’s childhood was filled with afternoons spent sitting at an old wooden table in a small house in Venezuela, where she carefully repeated each syllable and each word, helping him learn to pronounce words and not be afraid to stand in front of others. It was the foundation that helped Contreras become a confident player and a strong leader in the Cardinals locker room.
The charity, which will launch later this year, will focus on supporting speech therapy programs for children who stutter, providing scholarships for families in need, and organizing summer camps to help children build confidence.
“I want any child who has ever felt embarrassed by their voice to know that they are heard, loved, and have the opportunity to grow,” Contreras said.
The Cardinals, who have become Contreras’s second home, were quick to show their support. “We are proud that Willson is using his pain to bring hope to others,” said President Bill DeWitt III. “This fund is not only a legacy to his grandmother, but also a testament to Willson’s heart and character.”
MLB has also pledged to partner with the fund in fundraising efforts, from auctions of memorabilia to community events. Several of Contreras’ teammates have expressed interest in getting involved, including Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, who believe the story can touch millions of hearts.
At the fund’s announcement, Contreras held an old baseball his grandmother once gave him. On the ball was a shaky inscription: “I will fulfill my dream.” He emotionally shared: “She didn’t live to see me succeed in MLB, but every time I step onto the field, I always hear her voice in my heart. This fund is my way of letting her continue to accompany me.”
Cardinals fans expressed their emotions in unison. On social media, thousands of shares flooded: “Willson was not just a great player, he was a great person.” One fan wrote: “She taught him to speak, and now he uses that voice to change the world.”
Her death left a big hole in Contreras’s heart, but it was that pain that fueled his determination to turn memories into meaningful action. In Contreras’s eyes, the charity is not just a tribute but also a commitment: to help children who once looked like him find their voice, find their confidence, and find their own path.
“She gave me a voice. Now I’m giving that voice to thousands of other children,” Contreras asserted, before pausing for a few seconds, then smiling.
From his own pain, Willson Contreras has turned it into a beacon – not just for himself, but for a generation of young people learning to stand up and speak for themselves.
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