Maddux Family Foundation donates $50K to local cancer foundation

The Maddux Family Foundation on Wednesday pitched another gem on behalf of a local charity — $50,000 to the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

Although retired pitcher and Valley High graduate Greg Maddux is best known as a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, he and wife Kathy Maddux have been quietly contributing to Southern Nevada charities for the past two decades through their foundation and annual golf tournament.

For the ex-ballplayer, it’s a chance to tip his cap to his hometown. For Kathy Maddux, it’s a labor of love and an acknowledgment of the fine work Candlelighter does on behalf of children with cancer and their families. The couple has two healthy, grown children.

“We’re happy to do it,” Maddux said during a brief check-passing ceremony at Candlelighters headquarters. “We’ve been fortunate. We both grew up here in Vegas and wanted to give back to the city.”

Kathy Maddux added, “It’s a lot of fun. It’s always kind of been what keeps me busy when Greg was away and playing. I started when he was with the Cubs the very first year.”

From a member of Cubs wives group to a regular contributor at Candlelighters, she’s having an impact on the local community.

“Since I’ve been with Candlelighters, they’ve always been such wonderful supporters,” Candlelighters Executive Director Melissa Cipriano said. “I think of Kathy as a friend of mine now. They’re just such wonderful people. They’ve made a significant impact on our agency year after year.”

With the World Series in progress, Maddux was anticipating a baseball question. His choice to win it all: Kansas City, even after the whipping the Royals took Tuesday at the hands of the San Francisco Giants.

In addition to liking the caliber of the Kansas City team, he also thinks a lot of Royals Manager Ned Yost, a former bullpen and third-base coach with the Atlanta Braves during some of Maddux’s best seasons.