Ken Griffey, Jr. played for the Seattle Mariners from 1989-1999 and again from 2009 until his retirement from professional baseball in 2010. He was one of the Mariners' most successful and popular players. In addition to baseball, Griffey was also involved with his community's young people, and was a big supporter of the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club. He donated the mini-van he won as 1992 MVP to the Club, and continued to be involved with the Club over his years in Seattle, hosting annual Christmas dinners, providing tickets to Mariners' games, and taking a groups of children to Disneyland.

This image shows Griffey with Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club members during the 1996 Christmas dinner. Griffey is playfully turning the tables on 10-year-old Morris Richardson, who gave Griffey "bunny ears" in an earlier photograph. At the time, there was uncertainty whether the Mariners would remain in Seattle or be relocated to another city. During the dinner, Griffey donated $50,000 to the Club and reassured the children that regardless of what happened to the Mariners, he would remain involved with the Boys & Girls Club, saying, "No matter what happens with the stadium or the team, I will always be here."

Caption information source: "Griffey stands by Boys & Girls Club," by Jim Street, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 17, 1996, page D2.