Kyle Schwarber hosts annual block party to benefit first responders and military families
"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," said Schwarber.
Despite a stomach illness that sidelined him earlier in the day in a 9-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber stood on the stage on Wednesday at Union Transfer, welcoming fans and teammates to the fourth annual Schwarber’s Block Party.
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 a year later.
Wednesday’s event featured a silent auction with plenty of items up for bid, including a home plate autographed by the Phillies, a Taylor Swift-signed guitar, a Bryce Harper-signed bat, and a signed Saquon Barkley jersey.
And as the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, a service-based bagpipe band in the Philadelphia area, performed on stage, Phillies players watched from the upper deck, including Bryson Stott, Aaron Nola, Harper, Orion Kerkering, Jesús Luzardo, and Brandon Marsh, 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 its 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.”
As the Phillies continue to seek more production out of the cleanup spot, Rhys Hoskins is coming back to town this weekend with the Cleveland Guardians. Hoskins sat down with "Phillies Extra," The Inquirer's baseball podcast, to discuss his role with the first-place Guardians, his legacy with the Phillies, and more. Watch here.
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