By Jan Hennicke

Albert Pujols’ future in St. Louis is uncertain but he is still doing great things for the community through the Pujols Family Foundation. Grant’s Farm is usually closed on Mondays but on Monday, July 25, 2011, the park was open for a private event for the Pujols Family Foundation. This event was attended by people with Down syndrome and their families who were able to come and go throughout the day to experience all that the park had to offer.

Everyone had a great time connecting with old friends and making new ones. Almost 900 people were in attendance including families that had newborns all the way up to adults. Even though it was extremely hot and muggy, the kids enjoyed the rat race, the bird and elephant shows, tram rides and many other activities, not to mention the great food and drinks that were provided. You could easily spot the kids that had cooled down with a snow cone by the large array of colored mouths running around the park.

My daughter, Lauren Hennicke, and her friends had fun hanging out at the food court talking non-stop about Albert. They were giggling and hugging as they each told their own personal stories about their “best friend Albert”. He is truly an inspiration to my daughter, as well as the other members of the Foundation.

Thanks to Grant’s Farm for their hospitality and also to the Pujols Family Foundation for giving the kids and their families another great memory. The kids are now counting the days for the next Pujols event!