Adam Jones’ donation comes after he experienced racism in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Adam Jones has donated $20,000 to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and has announced he will pay for the entry of children from a local nonprofit.
Jone’s appearance was announced in a press release by the Major League Baseball Players Association Friday, which noted it will provide a “memorable experience” to children from Operation Breakthrough in honor of Jones’ contribution. Operation Breakthrough provides all-day early education to children up to age 5 and before- and after-school activities for those 5 through 13.
The Orioles outfielder hopes to provide children from Operation Breakthrough an awareness of the kinds of career options available to them when they visit in July.
“It’s all about the knowledge. It’s all about giving knowledge. Give kids opportunities,” Jones told The Baltimore Sun ahead of his Saturday, May 13, museum visit. “It’s all about what they want to do with the opportunity. As long as they have an opportunity presented to them, you let them make the decision. If you don’t even have the opportunity, there’s nothing to talk about. I’m a person who just likes to give kids, give humans, give people an opportunity to learn.
“When I walk through those walls, I learn. It would be selfish of me not to help other people learn.”
Negro Leagues Museum President Bob Kendrick told the newspaper Jones’ donation will be used to provide “new augmented reality technology” to the institution, which was established in 1990 to preserve the history of the Negro Leagues and its players. It will also fund the creation of an exhibit of the integration of the MLB called “Barrier Breakers.”
