Nationals pitcher awarded $5,000 grant to his foundation, Project 34
NEW YORK, July 30th – The Players Trust, the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association, announced today that Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams was named the second Most Valuable Philanthropist of 2024. The Players Trust will award a $5,000 grant in Williams’ honor to Project 34, a nonprofit organization founded by Williams and his Arizona State baseball teammate, Cory Hahn. Project 34’s work centers around improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
Williams, a 32-year-old San Diego native, has spent parts of nine seasons in the major leagues with the Pirates, Cubs, Mets, and Nationals. His experiences at Arizona State inspired Project 34 after his teammate, Hahn, was left paralyzed from the chest down in 2011 after a head-first slide into second base fractured his C-5 vertebra. Since its founding, Project 34 has given out more than 300 grants to purchase medical equipment and assistive devices that might otherwise be inaccessible for spinal injury patients.
“It is an honor to be named a Most Valuable Philanthropist and have the support and partnership of the Players Trust on Project 34,” Williams said. “Cory’s resilience and courage in the face of adversity have been a source of great inspiration for me. I honor Cory every day by wearing number 34, and through our work together on Project 34 improving the lives of those overcoming spinal injuries, as well as their families. Recovery from these injuries is a massive financial burden, and we are here to ease that burden as much as we can.”
The “MVP” award is awarded three times throughout the season to an active Player who demonstrates an altruistic spirit and positive social impact beyond the diamond. Each winner receives a $5,000 grant from the Players Trust to his chosen charity. Earlier this year, Yankees catcher Jose Trevino was named the first MVP of 2024.
“Trevor’s tireless work on Project 34 encapsulates what the Players Trust and the MVP program are all about,” said Players Trust Director Amy Hever. “His organization is making real, positive impact on the everyday lives of those who need it most, and we are proud to recognize and support his efforts with this grant.”
For over 25 years, Players have been committed to making a difference by contributing their funding, time, talent and passion to help communities in need and encouraging others to get involved. Through the Players Trust, Players have supported a wide range of programs, granting tens of millions of dollars to make a positive impact on the lives of fans and youth organizations.