Derek Jeter and the month of October are usually a match made in the Bronx.
But on Monday night, the former Yankees star and current Miami Marlins CEO and part-owner found himself downtown. Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation held its annual dinner at Cipriani Wall Street. Many things have changed in the future Hall-of-Famer’s life since the charity was founded 23 years ago — from his job to his family — but the foundation has been a constant.
“The most difficult thing for most foundations is raising money,” Jeter told The Knockturnal on the red carpet. “Events like this are extremely important because this is where we raise money to continue with our programs moving forward, and the more money you raise, the more kids you’re able to have an impact on.”
Since Jeter started the foundation with his father in 1996, it has raised over $30 million to make a difference in the lives of young people. The trademark of Turn 2 is its “Jeter’s Leaders” program, a four-year development program to help kids graduate, enter college and cultivate positive social skills.
The program has roots in New York City, Florida and West Michigan — Jeter and his sister Sharlee, who serves as the foundation’s president, grew up in Kalamazoo. The Yankee great also noted the community work his current organization, the Marlins do for Miami. Jeter currently resides there with his wife Hannah and their two children — the couple welcomed their second daughter earlier this year.
“It’s very important to give back,” Jeter said. “The Yankee organization has done that for years and if you have that platform, you should take advantage of it and try to help out as many people as possible.”
That attitude is what attracts supporters to the foundation, like “TODAY” host Hoda Kotb, who emceed Monday’s event.
“There’s this line I read that says, ‘You’re defined by what you carry,’” she said. “(Derek) puts a lot of people on his back and carries them…I feel like Derek is in a class all by himself.”
