While Francisco Lindor has many standout moments for the Mets in 2024, his consistent impact and dedicated contributions off the field remain significant.
Even before his time with the Mets, Francisco was involved in giving back. In 2017 and 2018, Francisco visited his old grammar school in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, donating funds to reinstate the school's sports program and refurbish playing fields damaged by Hurricane Maria. He also hosted a baseball clinic for 250 children on the renovated fields, along with other charitable endeavors to bring relief to those who were impacted by Hurricane Maria.
Since 2020, believing that education is at the foundation of the future of any child, Francisco has contributed significantly to Montverde Academy, his alma mater in Florida. To provide resources to the next generation, Francisco helped fund and develop ¡°Lindor Hall,¡± a two-story middle school building with extensive facilities, including innovative science laboratories and a technology laboratory. As the lead donor, he contributed $1 million to the project. Francisco has also established the ¡°Francisco Lindor Scholarship Fund,¡± offering financial assistance to students who otherwise could not attend Montverde Academy.
In September 2022, following Hurricane Fiona's devastation in Puerto Rico, Francisco and his wife Katia partnered with Team Rubicon to support relief efforts, donating $50,000, to help their response on the ground to communities in need. Their support inspired additional donations, including a matching donation from the Amazin' Mets Foundation, which provided significant relief to those affected.
Francisco also started a new tradition in August 2023 to partner with New Balance for a back-to-school backpack distribution. Last year, Francisco was on hand to personally distribute new backpacks and school supplies to middle schoolers from the Tommie Agee School in East Elmhurst, N.Y. This year, students at a local elementary school in Queens will be surprised by Francisco as recipients of new backpacks.
In December 2023, Francisco and Katia partnered with Players for the Planet and Puerto Rico-based Rescate Playas Borinquen, a community initiative dedicated to the restoration and protection of natural resources and open-air recreation areas on the island, for a cleanup event of Wilderness Beach in Puerto Rico. More than 100 volunteers came out to join Francisco in collecting trash around the beach and plant approximately 200 trees that will help preserve the coastline from erosion and help achieve biodiversity.
To continue the connection with Montverde Academy and its students, Francisco invited many of his scholarship recipients to Port St. Lucie, Fla. during Spring Training -- where he discussed the importance of education, goal setting and pursuing dreams. In addition to this special talk, the students were able to have one-on-one conversations with him and participate in a tour of the St. Lucie Mets¡¯ facilities.
Beyond his community efforts and focus on education, the All-Star shortstop is passionate about health and wellness. This season, Francisco launched Smile Tuesdays, a program emphasizing dental hygiene, the importance of maintaining routines and leading a healthy lifestyle. Throughout this season, on one Tuesday each month, Francisco has invited 12 youth from local community organizations to Citi Field where he shares his personal story about his childhood insecurities regarding his teeth, which kept him from smiling. The participants have an opportunity to not only learn about dental care and hygiene tips from dentists, but also watch Francisco during batting practice and attend a Mets game.
Francisco has used his platform to advocate for inclusion within the sport of baseball and athletics. Since joining the Mets, Francisco has served as an ambassador for the annual Mets Spring Training Clinic for Champions, an event that brings together athletes from Special Olympics Florida to participate in a baseball clinic. Francisco has participated in the clinic to provide instruction to the athletes. Separately, during Spring Training 2024, Francisco organized the "Lindor Clinic for Kids" where he hosted 75 children from local Little Leagues and local Boys & Girls Clubs. Led by Francisco, these children came out to learn the fundamentals of the game and were inspired by him to have fun and exemplify sportsmanship. These activities are not just during Spring Training. Following a huge 414-foot homer at Citi Field on June 12, Francisco was in the heart of Times Square the following morning to serve pitches to New York-based baseball and softball kids to help launch PLAY BALL Weekend, a worldwide, MLB-led initiative to encourage participation in baseball and softball among young people, particularly in underserved communities.
These off-field contributions highlight Francisco Lindor's commitment to making a positive impact beyond the baseball diamond, emphasizing his role as a community leader, advocate and mentor.