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IRVING — Two years ago, Vernon Wells realized there were far too many homeless children in Arlington. That led Wells, along with his wife Charlene, to create his Perfect 10 foundation in 2008, which is aimed at helping the homeless children in the town he grew up in.
"We’ve always thought about doing something and we finally had a chance to see some underprivileged kids in Arlington," said Wells, a center fielder with the Toronto Blue Jays. "We realized that there was a lot more we could be doing instead of just writing checks here and there."And, on Monday, Wells hosted his inaugural charity golf tournament at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas. The stars came out for it, too, including fellow baseball players Kevin Millwood, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Torii Hunter, Bernie Williams and Clayton Kershaw, as well as former football stars Darren Woodson and Tony Banks.Before he teed off, the Star-Telegram caught up with Wells.Talk about today’s event and what it means to you? Today is just a chance to relax and play some golf. Last night, we had our first annual gala, which also had all the event planning, stress and headaches that go with it. Now, people can come out and play golf and have fun.Why did you want to start your own foundation? If we started our own foundation, we had the ability to direct where the money goes and who it’s going to help. And I think the more you’re involved with things, the more your heart gets into it and allows you to be a part of what they’re going through.What else have you been doing this off-season? Well, after this I’ll get a chance to relax. I have a newfound respect for event planners. I learned a lot through this process and I’ll get to relax once this is over with. But, then, I’ll have to start planning the next one.At the gala on Sunday night, you were able to get Bernie Williams to play guitar. How was that? Bernie is an unbelievable human being and he’s been that way since I met him when I was 18. He’s someone that when you’re watching TV, you truly want your kids to be like him. He’s as sincere and genuine as anyone you’ll meet in this game.Where’d you meet him? I met him before I got drafted. I had a chance to go to dinner with him, [Derek] Jeter, [Jorge] Posada and Luis Sojo, who is now my agent. We all went to dinner and talked after they had a game in Arlington. They were the same group of people back then that they are today. Just nice men.Finally, who do you like in the World Series with the Yankees up 3-2? I chose the Yankees from the beginning of the playoffs, so I’m going to stick with them now that they’re up.
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