By ESENDOM
December 10, 2025
Lea en español: David Ortiz, de ídolo del bate a referencia humanitaria hemisférica
David Ortiz became the first Dominican to receive the Trust for the Americas and OAS 2025 Humanitarian Award, for his work on behalf of vulnerable children through the David Ortiz Children’s Fund.
His foundation has made possible 1,676 pediatric heart surgeries and more than 16,000 evaluations and specialized care for children in the Dominican Republic and New England, closing severe gaps in access to health services.
The recognition also underscores Dominican sports as living diplomacy: Ortiz projects the country across the hemisphere not only as a baseball powerhouse, but as a model of solidarity and social leadership.
Known for his feats on the field, David Ortiz received the 2025 Humanitarian Award last Friday at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), marking a new chapter in the international visibility of Dominican philanthropy.
Hemispheric Recognition
The Trust for the Americas and the Organization of American States (OAS) granted Ortiz a distinction previously awarded to figures such as Bill Clinton, Juanes, and Stanley Motta. The former slugger becomes the first Dominican to receive it, consolidating the regional reach of his foundation.
Through the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, the Cooperstown Hall of Famer has supported 1,676 pediatric heart surgeries and more than 16,000 specialized evaluations for children in the Dominican Republic and New England. In a health system where high-cost procedures are often out of reach for vulnerable families, the foundation serves as a bridge among hospitals, donors, and patients.
More Than a Celebrity
During the event, Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez acknowledged that Dominicans “wrap ourselves” in Ortiz’s sports fame, but emphasized that his true legacy lies in the lives transformed. His remarks carried an implicit challenge: to turn public influence into effective social policy.
Linda Eddleman, executive director of The Trust for the Americas, linked Ortiz’s work to the institution’s mission of closing hemispheric gaps, highlighting how his leadership activates public-private collaboration with measurable results.
Institutional Context
The Trust for the Americas has maintained more than two decades of cooperation in the Dominican Republic, with programs in digital inclusion, innovation, and employability that have reached nearly 200,000 people. The organization operates a network of 101 Community Technology Centers and innovation labs in partnership with public and private entities.
Ortiz’s award becomes a point of convergence among sports, international cooperation, and public policy, showing that when national figures leverage their platforms to expand rights, vulnerable communities move from anecdote to priority. The challenge now is to turn this example into a systematic precedent.
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