Nelson Cruz is well known for his generosity in his home town (Las Matas de Santa Cruz) and the surrounding areas in the Dominican Republic.
He has donated fire equipment (including an engine and an ambulance) and has rebuilt the local ballpark so kids have a safe place to play.
In the 2016 off-season, Manager Scott Servais visited Nelson at home, and this week Mariners Chairman John Stanton paid Cruz a visit.