Schillings Take in Family from New Orleans

[riverside sluggers]

something for the Yankee fans to think about, type of guy he is

 

Schilling family is hosting nine from New Orleans

By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff | September 6, 2005

 

Last autumn, Curt Schilling helped the Red Sox win it all. Now, he and his wife, Shonda, are helping a New Orleans family of nine who have lost almost everything. Moved by the plight of thousands of Gulf Coast residents whose lives were shattered by Hurricane Katrina, the star pitcher and his wife arranged to fly up a family and to put them up in a Boston-area hotel, where the family has been since Saturday. The Fields family has seven children, four boys and three girls. They are between the ages of 5 and 12. The family fled its New Orleans home just before the storm, with only a few clothes and groceries.

 

As they realized the scope of the devastation in New Orleans, the Schillings decided to help, and they chose a personal, immediate gesture rather than a simple contribution of money. ''When we realized how many people had nowhere to go, we didn't just want to make a donation," Shonda Schilling said yesterday. ''We decided we wanted to bring an entire family here and put them up," she added. ''We all need to take care of each other at a time like this."

 

The Fields family spent last week in an Atlanta-area hotel, with the help of a charitable group. While staying there, they were contacted by a woman who had set up a website, openyourhome.com, to match displaced families with people willing to take them in. The Schillings registered on the site Friday; on Saturday they anonymously arranged for the family to fly to Boston. The Fields had never even been to the Northeast. But with little money and no place to go, they accepted the offer.

 

''He said, 'I would like to help you,' " Efrem Fields, 31, said in a phone interview from his hotel yesterday. ''He didn't say who he was. He just said, 'You have a big family, and it's hard to take care of a big family in hard times.' He's right about that -- it is." A van showed up at the hotel to take the family to the airport on Saturday afternoon. Fields and his wife, Shelita, 28, were frightened to fly, but they managed. They arrived in Boston that evening. The Schillings, who have four children 10 and younger, visited the family at the hotel. It was then that Fields learned who had helped his family.

 

''I said, 'Wait a second, I know this guy,' " said Fields, a big baseball fan. ''Schilling . . . Schilling, there's only one Schilling I know, and he's a baseball player! It blew my mind." When the two families met, Fields said, ''it was a beautiful experience." The children instantly hit it off and have been playing together most days since, both families say.The Schillings have pledged to provide housing for the family for a year, and are trying to arrange for the children to attend school. The Fieldses plan to attend their first-ever Major League baseball game, tonight at Fenway Park. The Schillings have visited the family frequently since they arrived, bringing clothing, medicine and toys, and have called several times to check in, Fields said.

 

''They are beautiful people, God-loving people," Fields said. ''I am very grateful for what he's done for me." Though the Schillings are outspoken advocates for many causes, notably ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, the Schillings made arrangements for the Fields family quietly, and discussed it only after they were contacted by The Boston Globe. The Schillings are known for charitable work. In 2001, Curt Schilling won the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the Major League player who combines outstanding skills on the field with work in the community. The pitcher said the wives of other Major League ballplayers are also trying to arrange to help families in need.

 

In New Orleans, Fields's first instinct was to stay at home and weather the storm, but the family decided to leave town as reports grew more dire. All his and his wife's relatives also evacuated safely, he said, and they are now scattered across the South. ''I didn't know where we were going. We just picked up and drove," said Fields, who also thanked people in the Atlanta area for their kindness and generosity. ''My children were pretty scared, but I thought we'd be coming back in a couple of days."

 

Fields said he contacted his boss at the fuel company he works for and learned his neighborhood was badly damaged. He does not expect to salvage his home or his belongings. Of particular loss is an urn with the cremation ashes of twins born prematurely, who died a few years ago, he said. ''It's a very sad thing to lose," he said. Fields is also saddened by the devastation in New Orleans, but isn't sure if they will return.

 

''We're just trying to get on right now," he said. ''I haven't figured out what's next. I am just glad all my family is all right, and we pray for the families." ''As long as I have my kids to play with, my spirits are good. As long as we can all drive each other up the wall, that's a good thing," he said with a chuckle. Shonda Schilling said it is heartwarming to see the two families interact. She knows they've been through more than she can imagine.

 

''I'm trying not to cry when I see them," she said. ''They can't cry yet. They are still in shock. But it's a beautiful family, and they are all together."

[soxie thefangirl]

that's so sweet of them. you can't expect any less from schilling and his family though.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Very nice of them. But the Schillings are a class act.

[MC Hammer]

Thats really a great story. And see Yankee fans ...

 

Though the Schillings are outspoken advocates for many causes, notably ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, the Schillings made arrangements for the Fields family quietly, and discussed it only after they were contacted by The Boston Globe.

 

See it's not always Schilling that's contacting the media.

[riverside sluggers]

on yes boards, didnt take them any time

 

http://boards.yesnetwork.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60267

[schillingouttheks]

Well I'm glad after that first ******* said something people jumped on him and ripped him to shreds. Hate him while he pitches, hate him for being on the Red Sox, but my God..don't hate him and say he's only getting attention from this and that's his reasoning for helping a family. Seriously...f*** that ******** who said that.

[RedRuffing15]

Why does eveyone think Yankees fans wouldn't expect a Millionair to support a devistated family. We don't like Schilling, but we know he has money, and can understand why he does it. Every player in the league who get paid top dollar should do it, not to live with them, but buy them a house and such. Its still a nice thing to do though.

[riverside sluggers]

because I hate seeing Yankee fans calling him a loud mouth ass who only cares about himself and what he has got to say...

[schillingouttheks]

^^What he said. I also hate how SOME Yankee fans say he's only doing good things for charity and helping families because he wants attention. They couldn't give him credit if he cured cancer for f***s sake!

[MC Hammer]

This makes me sick. How can you bash a guy for doing something like this. How about we start bashing A-rod for having the biggest contract in sports and not sending one god damn dollar to help.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Why does eveyone think Yankees fans wouldn't expect a Millionair to support a devistated family. We don't like Schilling, but we know he has money, and can understand why he does it. Every player in the league who get paid top dollar should do it, not to live with them, but buy them a house and such. Its still a nice thing to do though.

Who are you to judge what other people should do with their money. You have absoltutely no idea what their expenses and budgets are ( I doubt very much from your comments you could understand it if presented to you ). I grow tired of people like you, who are first to say what other people should do. Here's a question, what have you done. If people to donate their time to load trucks and boxes, little kids can sell cookies and lemonade, wash cars, yard sales, church groups for food and clothes drives, the Red Sox forfund raising, etc. Everyone can do something. What have you done ?

[yeszir]

Curt Schilling is an ******* who puts ketchup on his foot! Waaaaaaaah.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Curt Schilling is an ******* who puts ketchup on his foot! Waaaaaaaah.

Heitz ( a political connection ? ) or generic ?

[Optimist]

This makes me sick. How can you bash a guy for doing something like this. How about we start bashing A-rod for having the biggest contract in sports and not sending one god damn dollar to help.

 

How do you know that A Rod hasn't given money? Are you his accountant? Didn't think so...

 

You know what they say about people who assume... <_>

[Sox Fan on Cape]

How do you know that A Rod hasn't given money? Are you his accountant? Didn't think so...

 

You know what they say about people who assume... <_>

I am though, so what's you're point. Schilling has documented numerous support to charities. Name A-rod's ?

[MC Hammer]

Heitz ( a political connection ? ) or generic ?

I think you mixed the two. It's Heinz and Hunts.

[Optimist]

Name A-rod's ?

 

I wouldn't know because A Rod doesn't release a PR every time he does something nice or contributes to charity.

 

(Not saying Schilling does, just that A Rod doesn't.)

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I am though, so what's you're point. Schilling has documented numerous support to charities. Name A-rod's ?

watching you guys argue over whos a better person (Schilling or A-Rod) makes me laugh. BTW, A-Rod has helped build a boys and girls club in Miami and he has also been involved in Jorge Posada's foundation as well as Derek Jeter's turn 2 foundation.

[RedRuffing15]

Who are you to judge what other people should do with their money. You have absoltutely no idea what their expenses and budgets are ( I doubt very much from your comments you could understand it if presented to you ). I grow tired of people like you, who are first to say what other people should do. Here's a question, what have you done. If people to donate their time to load trucks and boxes, little kids can sell cookies and lemonade, wash cars, yard sales, church groups for food and clothes drives, the Red Sox forfund raising, etc. Everyone can do something. What have you done ?

 

WHAT DID I DO??????!!!

 

idk if you mis read how I said it, Was was complimenting him!I was just saying, every single post up to mine was about I wonder what Yankee fans think of this, Yankees fans are ass, what are they gunna say. And I was just asking why does everyone think Yankees fans don't expect a milionaer to Support a devistaed family. I really don't see whats wrong with that? And I'm not one to judge, I'm just saying they all should. And, I, a broke teenager with a car and expencises of my own donated $75 to the red cross a few days ago.

 

Its really above me why I was lashed at for my comments, I was complimenting Schilling, and wondering why everyone makes Yankee fans out to be heartless thugs who hate everyone?

[MC Hammer]

watching you guys argue over whos a better person (Schilling or A-Rod) makes me laugh. BTW, A-Rod has helped build a boys and girls club in Miami and he has also been involved in Jorge Posada's foundation as well as Derek Jeter's turn 2 foundation.

Seeing people argue about who's a better person makes you laugh, so you add to the arguement? How does that make sense?

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Seeing people argue about who's a better person makes you laugh, so you add to the arguement? How does that make sense?

 

Because at the end of the day none of you know if Curt Schilling or Alex Rodriguez are good guys. You might think you know but you dont. You dont follow him on an everyday basis. I get a kick out of watching you guys judge people you dont know. BTW I was responding to a question about what charities A-Rod has donated his money to.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

WHAT DID I DO??????!!!

 

idk if you mis read how I said it, Was was complimenting him!I was just saying, every single post up to mine was about I wonder what Yankee fans think of this, Yankees fans are ass, what are they gunna say. And I was just asking why does everyone think Yankees fans don't expect a milionaer to Support a devistaed family. I really don't see whats wrong with that? And I'm not one to judge, I'm just saying they all should. And, I, a broke teenager with a car and expencises of my own donated $75 to the red cross a few days ago.

 

Its really above me why I was lashed at for my comments, I was complimenting Schilling, and wondering why everyone makes Yankee fans out to be heartless thugs who hate everyone?

 

agreed, even though I kinda like playing the role as the bad guy. But at the end of the day as I said in another post....none of you know me so I dont worry about what you guys think of me. Thats why when I say I HATE Curt Schilling I mean I hate Curt Schilling the ballplayer. Because I dont know him on a personal level.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

agreed, even though I kinda like playing the role as the bad guy. But at the end of the day as I said in another post....none of you know me so I dont worry about what you guys think of me. Thats why when I say I HATE Curt Schilling I mean I hate Curt Schilling the ballplayer. Because I dont know him on a personal level.

That's right , you said the same useless information. You obviously don't read at all. THis thread is about Schilling generous donation onlyu. It's not abot A-Rod, Jeter, the Pope for that matter. I ( we ) could care less if you hate Schilling. If you can't post anything constructive to the thread don't post at all.

[Optimist]

If you can't post anything constructive to the thread don't post at all.

 

You'll notice that a Red Sox fan started this by linking to the YES forums...

 

Why aren't you blasting him for posting something that wasn't 'constructive?'

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

That's right , you said the same useless information. You obviously don't read at all. THis thread is about Schilling generous donation onlyu. It's not abot A-Rod, Jeter, the Pope for that matter. I ( we ) could care less if you hate Schilling. If you can't post anything constructive to the thread don't post at all.

I hate to break it to you buddy but I believe your the one who mentioned A-Rod and what charities he donates his money to. I was just anwsering your question. One more point... obviously Sox fans do care because they would'nt have made this thread wondering what Yankee fans thought of this. Take your own advice because your post made about no sense when you read the whole thread.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Thats really a great story. And see Yankee fans ...

 

 

 

See it's not always Schilling that's contacting the media.

 

Yeah Sox fan on Cape......You guys dont care what we think. lmao

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

something for the Yankee fans to think about, type of guy he is

In the first post of the thread he mentions Yankee fans......are sure Sox fan on Cape?

[riverside sluggers]

You'll notice that a Red Sox fan started this by linking to the YES forums...

 

Why aren't you blasting him for posting something that wasn't 'constructive?'

 

actually if you read this whole thread I started off in the first post by saying how Yankee fans think of Curt as an ******* and only cares about himself and what he has got to say, it is constructive because thats the truth and all I hear from Yankee fans that come my way.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

^^What he said. I also hate how SOME Yankee fans say he's only doing good things for charity and helping families because he wants attention. They couldn't give him credit if he cured cancer for f***s sake!

 

Sox fan on Cape......yet another Sox fan that cares what Yankee fans think. So before you post "I ( we ) could care less if you hate Schilling." read the whole thread or better yet speak for yourself and not for others.

[empirestrikesback26]

It's very generous, but it doesn't change my opinion on him.