By DJ Harding
Currently the Worcester Red Sox second baseman Niko Goodrum has had his share of baseball experience in both the Major and Minor leagues. But with the platform of baseball and playing on the field he has been able to make change off of it.
Niko Goodrum has a foundation doGOODthings Inc which I had a chance to talk to Goodrum about.
“It’s basically about finding a need in a community whether it’s water in Flint Michigan, a camp or wherever there’s a need I try to find it and build on that.” Goodrum told me
“I usually serve in the communities that I’m playing in along with in my home state of Georgia the main goal is to give back to those communities.”
Baseball doesn’t serve a huge part in the organization Goodrum informed me. But he did tell me about how he and his father did own a batting cage at one point in time in his hometown of Fayetteville, Georgia.
“We had it for a couple years before the lease ended but it started because growing up we didn’t have enough money for travel baseball and things of that nature that cost $3,000, possibly $4,000. So it was giving a chance for lower income families to give their kids the tools for College, high school or whatever the next level was for them from me and the workers I had giving them professional training.”
But with his Origzation Goodrum said “ it’s just my platform and had nothing to do with why I wanted to give back, there are camps and I give out gloves and bats from time to time. This is just about giving back.”
Goodrums faith does play a major role in why he gives back and in his organization.
“My faith is huge as I feel we are here on this earth to help one another. We all have a purpose and to live in the purpose is what we strive for.”
Faith is number one in Goodrums book when it comes to giving back but that’s not all as when asked what inspires him to give back he answered saying “seeing people smile even though they are going through hard times and I’ve been placed and out in the situation to give back and I feel I should do that.”
Goodrum continued saying “I feel you should help whenever you can and I feel as players we are more than just entertainment and should serve more of a purpose then just playing baseball.”
When asked who inspires him to give back he remarked “As far as who instilled this in me it’s family and I have a big family not just siblings but cousins, aunts, and uncles we did so much together like holidays.”
Goodrum added “Seeing smiles on family members when doing good things, that influenced me to want to see people be successful, see people smile, and want people to have the things that I have.”
The name of the foundation actually came from his Fiancé he informed me and is a pun of his last name Goodrum
People can donate at dogoodthingsinc.org under the donate tab or the link is available on the doGOODthings Instagram or from Goodrums own Instagram.
Goodrum does have an Opt out on June 15th and could possibly test free agency.
“I’m just going to take it one day at a time and stay in the moment where I am. I can’t think about the future and not focus on the game I’m playing now in the city where I am.”
Not a clear answer on his opt out intentions but the one thing that is clear no matter where he is playing Niko Goodrum will keep doing Good Things.