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The 1st Annual Creed Celebrity Slam in Orlando In September of 2001 supported many causes
Creed Ink Issue #1
The game was planned long before that first plane struck the tower stealing a complete family from thousands of New York area children. The day was organized by the members of the band, along with their three-year-old charity aptly named With Arms Wide Open Foundation. A charity softball game pitting the band and other Central Florida celebrities against local radio and television personalities. All of the proceeds would go to help fund different programs that WAWOF support. On the morning of September 11th, the softball game took on a whole new purpose.
”When I first heard about the tragedy,” Scott Phillips says, “I knew we had to do something to help out. This is just one of the ways that we are going to be able to do that.”
The staff of JHMP with the team at WAWOF determined the direction of the games proceeds, and also added in their own numbers to total over $100,000 for a New York City Orphanage Fund. With a sincere attachment to children’s programs throughout the state of Florida, as well as the entire nation, the introduction of the With Arms Wide Open Foundation was more than your typical celebrity charity. The band, and Scott Stapp in particular, have a genuine concern for families and the nurturing of their children through their early, most impressionable, stages in life.
”The Foundation is something that Scott and I are especially active,” says Stapp. “It is something we really channeled a lot into. You remember all those people along the way that helped you to get to where you are. Even if you are not big rock stars, or movie stars, but just at the peek of your profession; you can look aback and remember people that along the way affected your life.”
With a daily influx of emails, letters and other requests for autographs or assistance, the band decided one of the best ways to connect with the fans would be a public event. And considering their already favorable skills in softball, they decided on a game at the historic Tinker Field in downtown Orlando. Over 1200 fans and families turned out for the festivities on a slightly wet Saturday afternoon to see the boys challenge a few WCW wrestlers and other TV stars on the diamond. The only setback of the day came, when upon waking, Stapp realized his temperature to be roughly around 102 degrees. He had been hit with the flu and could hardly stand, let alone swing a bat.
”It really hurt not to be there.” Stapp says. “Do you think I would miss a ballgame, let alone one that was for the fans and the charity? I played with a near broken hand and torn ankle in our league all season. I wouldn’t have missed this game for nothing. I couldn’t even get off the couch, it really hurt me that I couldn’t be there.”
Nevertheless, Phillips and Tremonti put on quite the performance, trading in their sticks and six string for the aluminum and leather. In the field, Phillips manned the catcher position harassing everyone that came to the plate. Tru moved from his usual outfield stronghold, to take over shortstop and had a few near collisions with the WCW’s Billy Gunn during double plays.
After four innings of not-so-impressive softball and a short rain delay, the guys spent the rest of the afternoon entertaining fans in the bleachers. Flip and Tru signed about 500 autographs and took pictures with everyone that came around. All in all, the game represented everything that the charity is about: a chance to interact with the fans, a chance for families to spend the day together and an opportunity to raise funds for the cause of children. The band, along with the Foundation, is planning on similar events for different tour stops next summer.
”With that in mind, that is how we can impact people in a positive way, now that we have been afforded the right, and afforded the financial means to do it.” Stapp explains. “With the Foundation, we have been able to give to a lot of good causes. Our main focus is children and their families, including music programs for people that can’t afford it, and children that still want it. They don’t do it in public schools, it’s like a luxury now, instead of being part of the curriculum.”
So don’t be surprised if you hear an announcement on your local radio station that the boys from Creed are bringing their sticks and are ready to roll. It is all for a healthy cause, but that doesn’t mean that Stapp, Tru, and Flip won’t get their unis a little dirty.
”We focus on bringing parents and their children back together and helping low income families get a new start and wipe their slate clean,” Stapp says. “Tragedy strikes people, and someone that is working hard can end up living on the street with two kids. They just need some help to get back up. This is one way that we fill a void in our lives.”