Cardinals build homes in storm-ravaged Joplin

We hear about devastating storms all the time. News crews broadcast from the location for a day or two - then nothing. You never really know what happened to the families. You never really know if they found a place to live or if the community ever got back on its feet. Severe tornadoes hit Joplin, Mo. in the spring of 2011. Lives, homes and businesses were lost. A community was devastated. The call went out for help and Americans answered. Help came from all over this great land. Even our sports teams got involved.

The St. Louis Cardinals, Blues and Rams along with the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals all descended on Joplin to help with the restoration effort. Players, coaches and front office executives gave their time, talent and treasure to help others in a time of great need. While the initial push got the recovery effort going, rebuilding Joplin will be a years-long effort. Baseball teams know a thing or two about long efforts. The Cardinals played the longest game of the 2012 season on Sunday - a 19-inning marathon against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Baseball games don't have clocks. It's not over until it's over. That mentality is an asset when you're still helping those in need more than a year after the storms. Members of the Cardinals coaching and front office staff traveled to Joplin on Monday to team with Habitat for Humanity. The goal was to build five homes in a single day. Fox2Now has more in the story below (email subscribers click here).


Sports has an enormous influence on society and it's good when teams can use their influence and resources to help others. It's even better when they realize that money alone won't get it done. Checks are great, but checking on someone is even better. That's a winner! Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol