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Cole & Heidi Hamels give $200k to Philly schools

Checkbook figuratively in hand, Phillies ace Cole Hamels visited a Northeast Philadelphia high school this morning to find his presence was welcome almost as much as his money.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels and wife Heidi present a check for $50,000 at Swenson High School on Tuesday. (Drew Singer / Staff Photo)
Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels and wife Heidi present a check for $50,000 at Swenson High School on Tuesday. (Drew Singer / Staff Photo)Read more

Checkbook figuratively in hand, Phillies ace Cole Hamels visited a Northeast Philadelphia high school this morning to find his presence was welcome almost as much as his money.

The former World Series MVP joined his wife Heidi in donating a total of $200,0000 to 17 Philadelphia public schools through their charity foundation.

Swenson Arts and Technology High School, which the couple visited this morning, received $50,0000 for a new fitness center.

The school is currently using a section of its auto shop as a makeshift gym.

"It's just the way I was brought up," said Hamels, whose parents are educators in his native California. "It's all my parents ever asked of me - just to be a good example."

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