HOUSTON — On Tuesday, Carlos Correa took the field at Minute Maid Park wearing a jersey other than the Astros' for the first time in his career.
But, that's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. It's what Correa brought with him that really counts.
The Correa Family Foundation pulled out all the stops to honor Mayah Nicole Zamora, a survivor of the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde.
Hero of the Month
Mayah is the foundation's August Hero of the Month.
"Mayah has always been known for being independent, ambitious, and the “go-getter” of her family," CFF said in a release. "Before the shooting, Mayah had been nominated by one of her teachers for the student council. She was a member of the robotics club and remained an Honor Roll student the entire year. She participated in softball, soccer, gymnastics and basketball, going on to win the championship trophy with her team, the Lady Spurs. Those who know her describe her as a people person who is incredibly kind and always willing to lend a helping hand."
Mayah was joined by her mother, father, two brothers and a few extended family members. She threw out the first pitch of the game. She also get to watch batting practice and get some Astros swag.
Mayah's story
Mayah lost many of her closest friends, two of her teachers and she was also severely injured in the shooting. Her doctors said it was a miracle she survived. She was shot in her hands, arms, chest and back and underwent more than 20 surgeries. Her hospital stay lasted 66 days.
Mayah also learned that the shooter lived blocks away from her home, making the healing process even more difficult. She hasn't been able to go back to her childhood home for that reason.
The experience
Mayah and her family were treated to a makeover before the game Tuesday.
They were also given personalized jerseys from Mattress Mack.
Then, they had lunch and headed to the ballpark.
Correa steps up to the plate
When Correa heard her story, his foundation, along with Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny and his Good Bunny Foundation and others gave her family money to find somewhere else to live. The groups got together and got enough money to build her family a new home in a place she feels comfortable.
“This new structure, which will be fully furnished, will be an opportunity for Mayah and her family to rebuild their lives, make new memories, and work towards a brighter future,” President of the Correa Family Foundation Dr. Ricky Flores said.
Even though they were on opposite sides of the field for the first time, Correa and the Astros got together to make sure it will be a memorable experience for Mayah and her family.
“We are thrilled to have so many friends and collaborators who are willing to come together and help us provide this gift to Mayah and her family,” Correa said. “I could never begin to imagine everything she has gone through, and we feel that this is one thing we could do to try to alleviate some of her pain. I’m thankful to both teams for being a part of this effort.”
Gallery Furniture will be providing all of the furniture for their new home.
The Correa Family Foundation thanked these individuals and organizations for their donations, without which none of this would be possible:
- TokenSociety.io
- Good Bunny Foundation & Rimas Entertainment
- Jak Entertainment
- Gallery Furniture
- Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC)
- The Astros Foundation and players (Yordan Alvarez, José Altuve, Martín Maldonado, Yuli Gurriel, Aledmys Díaz, Alex Cintrón, José Urquidy)