Vaughn’s Valley Foundation
When you think of the name Greg Vaughn, you cannot help but reminisce about good ol 90’s baseball. Electricity in the air every night, records being smashed, home runs flying every which way. Vaughn had a huge role in the fireworks of 90’s baseball. During his 17 year Major League career, Vaughn racked up more than 350 home runs and 1,000 RBI’s. He was a 4x All Star and a Silver Slugger award winner. Vaughn takes great pride in what he accomplished on the field. However, for the past 20 years, his love for his community, those who are less fortunate and those who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes especially have been at the forefront of who Greg Vaughn is, more so than just a baseball player.
20 years ago, Greg Vaughn received the news that his oldest son Cory had been diagnosed with Juvenile (now Type 1) diabetes. As any loving parent would, Vaughn jumped into action. “The moment something like that hits home, as a parent, you start thinking of any and all ways you can help your child. You also quickly realize how much research and funding the is needed and how many others are also affected and need those resources. I got the foundation off the ground. I started pounding the pavement and seeking new and different opportunities to bring awareness and funds for research toward one of our main beneficiaries, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund” Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes both adults and children suddenly. At the present time, there is no cure and there is no way to prevent contracting it. “That is why the work we do is so important. That is why we need to get the word out as much as possible and educate. We need all the help we can get. There is nothing slowing down or stopping this disease. The only thing we can do right now is bring awareness and raise funds so that this vital work can continue.” Although it is a cause that is near and dear to his heart, JDRF and their research toward Type 1 Diabetes is not the only beneficiary of the work being done at Vaughn’s Valley Foundation.
“I have always had a deep connection and love for my community in Sacramento. My goal has always been to use my resources to bring more exposure to the other great organizations doing so much for the community as well. Especially those that benefit the youth and families. The kids are our future and if I can help 1 kid potentially change their life, that is all I could possibly ask for.” One of the organizations that Vaughn’s Valley has come to partner with is the Center for Fathers and Families. The organization’s main focus is to provide at risk youth with the education and push toward life down a positive path as well as support programs to further help families achieve success and empowerment together. “How can we help the future generations right now? That has always been the question I strive to answer. Through CFF and various other programs we align with, we are able to do just that by empowering kids as well as their families. It truly is a special connection.” It is important to know that Sacramento is not the only place Vaughn calls his home. “Every city that I played for, I consider them all to be my village, my home. My hope is to bring all of this work and resources to those areas as well.”
Covid-19 threw a monkey wrench in most plans for just about everyone in 2020/2021. However, it did not stop the work that had to be done through Vaughn’s Valley Foundation. “We had to cancel our annual golf tournament which is a big fundraiser for Vaughn’s Valley, but it did not stop us from continuing our mission. We were able to go out and hand out PPE to those who were in need. Through hard work and great relationships, we were also able to donate 20,000 Chromebook computers and 10,000 white boards to underfunded school districts in the area. People continue to suffer and they continue to need the help we can provide, a little more so these days, so it has been an indescribable feeling to be able to be a part of the solution during this time.” Recently Greg Vaughn has dove into the world of wine as well. He has launched his own brand of vino aptly named 23 Wines, launching shop locations in both California and Las Vegas shortly. Vaughn has decided to use proceeds from this new venture to help fund the causes directly linked to Vaughn’s Valley Foundation in partnership and with special thanks to E2 Family Winery. “It gets difficult to find new ways to keep the foundation going. There have been times it has gotten so hard, we have had to take a step back and pause for a while, but we can never give up. This is just another way I can help keep progress moving in the right direction for all of our causes. They are all equally important and all equally need our support.”
There is no denying the transcending player Greg Vaughn was on the field. The true measure of a person’s integrity can usually be made clear through their impact. Greg Vaughn’s impact has been everlasting both for his community and for those with Type 1 diabetes. There are hundreds of thousands of people who will remember Greg Vaughn as an All-Star and a homerun hitter on the field.It is also important to know that there are also thousands of people who know Greg Vaughn and Vaughn’s Valley Foundation as the man and the program who helped change their life forever. For information on Vaughn’s Valley Foundation and 23 Wines, please visit their websites, www.vaughnsvalley.org and www.23wines.com .