North Ward Center Gets a Major League Donation

A Newark native who now pitches for the Chicago White Sox returned to his hometown Thursday to donate towards the efforts of the next generation of major-leaguers.

Hector Santiago, a graduate of Bloomfield Technology High School who played for the North ward Center’s RBI Little League team as a boy, presented a check to the center Thursday for its baseball program.

Santiago was the White Sox nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players who continue the late Clemente’s tradition of helping others. As winner of the award, Santiago received $7,500, which he donated to the center Thursday.

“I’m honored and lucky to come out of Newark and The North Ward Center recreation program,” Santiago said before signing t-shirts for more than a dozen children who came to a lunch at The North Ward Center in honor of him.

“All of Newark should be proud of Hector’s accomplishments,” said Steve Adubato Sr., the founder of The North Ward Center. “He is proof that with a dream and a lot of hard work, you can accomplish your goal.”