CLEVELAND — Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges and his family were recognized at the Wells of Life Legacy Circle Gala on Saturday, Nov. 5, where they received the Humanitarian of the Year Award.
What You Need To Know
- Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges and his family were honored Saturday by Wells of Life
- Wells of Life is a nonprofit that provides rural Ugandan communities with access to safe, clean water
- The award was given during a gala that raised more than $1.7 million
The award recognizes those who have impacted the work of Wells of Life, a nonprofit organization based in Orange County, Calif., that provides rural Ugandan communities with access to safe, clean water through the installation and restoration of sustainable water wells.
At the Wells of Life Circle Gala, 25 wells were donated and the organization raised $1.7 million to provide clean water in Uganda. The nonprofit reached their goal of funding a total of 1,000 wells and will reach its goal of serving 1 million people once the 1,000th well is built.
Along with Hedges and his family, in attendance was Elizabeth Bagaya, Miss Uganda 2020-2021, who spoke about growing up in a rural village and the need for clean water.
Bagaya has volunteered with Wells of Life and has been involved in educating school girls about menstrual health, sexual health, and hygiene.
For more information on Wells of Life, click here.
(Editor's note: A previous version of this story noted that the money raised at the Wells of Life Circle Gala would pay for 25 wells, per the press release. The 25 wells were donated in addition to the $1.7 million raised at the event.)