08/27/2009 9:21 AM
Below is a letter from a 2009 season host family. If you or someone you know is interested in being a host family for our 2010 season please call 361-485-9522 or come by our office at 3708 N Navarro Ste. B next to Cal-Com Credit Union.
My wife and I were approached about a business partnership with the Victoria Generals during their inaugural season of 2009. However, during the initial “business” conversation, there was a brief mention of the Host Family program. Curiosity got the best of us and after some consideration, my wife and I decided it would be a great opportunity for us to give something back…but we had no idea how much we stood to gain as well. We invited two players to live with us for the duration of the season. I have to be honest; we had a picture in our minds of what a college-aged baseball player would be like…wild, crazy, and irresponsible. We couldn’t have been more were wrong. As a Host Family, we had the privilege of getting to know the entire team and all of these young men were respectful, considerate, self-sufficient and professional. After a very short time, we realized there was more to being a Host Family than we bargained for. We made new friends that will be life-long friends, both the players and their parents as well. We expanded our family and formed new relationships that will last the rest of our lives. As such, it was painful to watch the players drive away on their final day. However, we have been in contact with them and their families almost every day since they returned to school. Sometimes it’s a quick text message or Facebook exchange, other times it’s a phone conversation to plan for the upcoming hunting season and Christmas Holidays. In fact, we will definitely be a Host Family again and have already invited a player for next summer. This whole experience began with the opportunity to build awareness of our business. Then it became the hope that we could offer a college baseball player a bed, an occasional meal and to offer ourselves as positive role models. Instead we got two new “sons”, friendships to last our lifetimes and countless memories to look back on. Their influence on us was profound. If you are considering being a Host Family, know that it can be an enriching experience for you, your family and the player.
Sincerely, David Murphy Owner/Operator – Chick-fil-A in Victoria, Texas
