ML - Vegas Magazine

2013 - Issue 7 - November

Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.

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SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY RIGHT: Melissa and Shane at last year's toy drive, which included a $5,000 donation from IGT. BELOW: Shane hands out presents at a 2012 Catholic Charities event sponsored by his foundation. Major League Giver WHEN HE'S NOT CATCHING FLY BALLS FOR THE RED SOX, LAS VEGAN SHANE VICTORINO IS HELPING AT-RISK KIDS AVOID LIFE'S CURVEBALLS. BY ADAM BAER "We feel very close to Las Vegas. It's amazing how warm the people are." 56 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH HEDGES (CATHOLIC CHARITIES) "W inning in sports is a thrilling thing, but life's really all about giving back, especially to children in need," says award-winning Boston Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino—nicknamed the Flyin' Hawaiian by fans. Perhaps surprisingly, Victorino and his wife, Melissa, have made Las Vegas their permanent off-season home. For the past three years they have run the Shane Victorino and Hawaii to accommodate all their travelFoundation, a notably charitable ing, where they could build a strong comnonprofit devoted to underserved munity presence. "This is where we have youth, and their efforts have had a chosen to raise our kids and help others huge impact on the lives of Las with after-school programs, especially Vegas children and families. based on sports, wellness, and education," Victorino, 32, a former Eagle says Victorino. "We feel very close to this Scout and the son of a councilman place. It's amazing how warm the people for Hawaii's Maui County, takes are and just how many great opportunities it ser iously the traditional Hawaiian presents for parents and for kids. The nature devotion to improving the lives of and cultural benefits are huge." others in one's community. He In just three years, the Shane Victorino helps explain his connection to Foundation has raised more than $2.5 milVegas by mentioning its loving lion (which includes sizeable donations moniker among Haw aiians: the from the Victorinos). And on November 14, "Ninth Island." "Las Vegas is also —SHANE VICTORINO the foundation will again be the beneficiary the city where I met my wife while of Golden Gaming's highly regarded charplaying minor league baseball," he says. "Melissa is from Alaska, but we loved it here and just wanted to stay." ity golf tournament, held at the Spanish Trail Country Club. Victorino says Things can change quickly in the life of a professional ballplayer—he he plays golf casually to relax (swinging a bat may not be too different from can sign a new contract or suddenly find himself traded to a new team—so swinging a nine iron), and he works hard to fill the roster with friends, the Victorinos wanted a home base, somewhat equidistant from Boston continued on page 58 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 056-058_V_SP_SofG_Nov13.indd 56 10/22/13 11:36 AM

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