Kyle Schwarber hosts annual block party to benefit first responders and military families at Union Transfer
Each year, the fundraiser invites fans for a night to honor and raise funds for first responders and military families. Wednesday's edition was the first inside Union Transfer in Callowhill.
Despite a stomach illness that sidelined him for Wednesday’s 9-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber stood on stage at Union Transfer, welcoming fans and teammates to the fourth annual Schwarber’s Block Party.
Each year, the fundraiser invites fans for a night to honor and raise funds for first responders and military families. Wednesday’s edition was the first inside Union Transfer in Callowhill.
“First year at Union Transfer,” Schwarber said. “Obviously, a little bit of a bigger space. It’s great. You know, we kind of outgrew the Yards [Brewing Company], which was an awesome venue. But, you know, we feel like we wanted to get a little bit bigger and try to fit some more people in to try to help benefit our first responders, military, and first responders’ families.”
This year’s event supported Philadelphia-area first responders, military personnel and their families — including organizations like Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation, Fort Freedom, The Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation, the Philadelphia Police Foundation, TAPS, and Team Foster.
“That’s the biggest thing, you know, we’re trying to benefit the Philadelphia area,” Schwarber said. “And when you’re able to go around the area and see all the men and women who are going out on a daily basis and trying to serve their community, we try to make an impact on their lives.”
The event was part of Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes cause, which was founded in 2017 — dating back to his time with the Cubs. When he joined the Phillies in 2022, he brought the foundation with him, hosting his Block Party just a year later.
Wednesday’s event featured a silent auction with plenty of items up for bid — including a Phillies team autographed home plate, a Taylor Swift signed guitar, Bryce Harper signed bat, and a signed Saquon Barkley jersey.
And as the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, a serviced based bagpipe band in the Philadelphia area, performed on stage, plenty of Phillies players crowded the upper deck watching — including Bryson Stott, Aaron Nola, Bryce Harper, Orion Kerkering, Jesus Luzardo, and Brandon Marsh, the latter, who received the loudest pop of the night.
“It’s awesome to have that backing,” Schwarber said. “I think you’ll see a good amount of players out. You’ll see a lot of people throughout the organization here as well. … It really is from top to bottom, I think, one of the best organizations in all of baseball. And, you know, that’s a big reason why I wanted to come back in the first place, was just the organization itself.”
Since the inception of Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes, the organization has distributed nearly $920,000 in support of their mission to “express gratitude for the unique sacrifices of first responders, military personnel, and their families.”
“It is special what we have here in Philadelphia,” Schwarber said. “One, just with our fan support and how they want to come out and support their own community. And two, what they have for us as a team.”
There’s never not a good reason to talk baseball with Terry Francona. But with his current team (the Reds) in town, and because two of his former clubs (the Red Sox and Phillies) recently fired their managers, there's no better time to invite the future Hall of Fame manager for a conversation on "Phillies Extra," The Inquirer's baseball podcast. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Previous episodes: Aaron Rowand | Hunter Pence | Paco Figueroa | Gage Wood | Scott Boras | Brian Barber | Aaron Nola | Justin Crawford | Garrett Stubbs | Kyle Schwarber
