W Hotel Downtown

After his team defeated Boston at Turner Field on June 28, Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson and some of his teammates headed for the hotel W Atlanta Downtown for an evening of food, friends and video games.

The party was to launch the Hudson Family Foundation, established by Hudson and his wife Kim. The Atlanta-based charitable foundation — with baseball bats forming a cross in their logo — will benefit children with physical, financial or emotional needs in Georgia and Alabama.

Kim Hudson says her own three healthy children inspired her to help establish the family’s charitable foundation.

“We feel we’ve been blessed with three healthy children. God has put children’s charities on our hearts,” said Kim Hudson, a non-practicing attorney and a member of the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama. “This is the path we’ve taken.”

Since he was called up to the big leagues in 1999, Tim Hudson has been active in community work, including work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and co-hosting a charitable golf tournament for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In 2008, Hudson was honored for the third straight year as the Atlanta Braves recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for the player exemplifying sportsmanship, community service and positive contributions to the team.

The June 28 launch party featured live music and activities that would appeal to players of games, both professional and video. Atlanta Braves players Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Jo Jo Reyes, Matt Diaz and Buddy Carlyle were among those who enjoyed Wii games and Guitar Hero. Also planned were high-stakes poker and blackjack.

Retired NFL player and former Georgia Bulldog Matt Stinchcomb and his wife Jenny gave the “kick-off” party some pigskin cachet. A two-time All American at the University of Georgia, Stinchcomb played for Oakland and Tampa Bay.

Even Babe Ruth made a big appearance at the party, in the form of a huge painting by Atlanta-based portrait artist Rossin. The Bulgarian-born artist painted Babe Ruth as part of his American Royalty Collection, which also includes President Abraham Lincoln, pop artist Andy Warhol and socialite Jackie Onassis.

The Hudson Family Foundation plans to raise money from fund-raising events, donors, grants and corporate sponsorships. For family volunteer opportunities, check the Hudson Family Foundation web page. 

- by Diane Loupe, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Diane Loupe

A resident of Decatur, Ga., and a native of New Orleans, Diane has a M.A. in Journalism from the University of Missouri. She has worked for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Associated Press, the New Orleans Times-Picayune and Yale Medical School. A freelance writer and editor, her work has appeared in The Sunday Paper, Women's eNews, the Agnes Scott College alumni magazine, eSchool News, and PTO Today.