Carrasco giving back in both Venezuela, US

CLEVELAND — While Carlos Carrasco watches his children open presents this Christmas, there will be hundreds of others enjoying gifts on behalf of the Indians pitcher. In fact, Carrasco’s kids were a part of the process, as their home in Tampa, Fla., was transformed into a makeshift toy store in recent weeks.

The Carrasco home became the headquarters for a toy drive that he helped organize through his foundation, with more than a thousand items collected by his count. They were then packed — with the help of his two sons and two daughters — and shipped to kids in Carrasco’s home country in Venezuela. It is just one of many charitable initiatives that the Cleveland starter has taken on in the past year.

Carrasco laughed when asked if he had to tell his children not to play with the presents.

“They don’t open them,” Carrasco said. “They understand. I’ve talked to my kids about it. They’ve helped me pack the boxes.”

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In a video posted on Carrasco’s Instagram page, his 5-year-old daughter, Camila, shows off a pile of Mickey Mouse stuffed dolls, packages of toothpaste and a box filled with more items. That was December’s project. Throughout October and into November, while the Indians played deep into the postseason, Carrasco’s house was also used for the collection of medical supplies to be sent to his home country.

This Christmas, Carlos Carrasco is sending 1,000+ toys to kids in Venezuela. His own kids helped pack the boxes: https://t.co/QmFK7VriUW

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) December 20, 2016

This Christmas, Carlos Carrasco is sending 1,000+ toys to kids in Venezuela. His own kids helped pack the boxes: https://t.co/QmFK7VriUW

Carrasco started two foundations in 2016. The Carlos Carrasco Foundation in the United States is focused on early-childhood education. Due to Carrasco’s desire to do his part to help with the ongoing economic crisis in Venezuela, he also started a foundation in his native country. That way, he could partner with groups there to find avenues to distribute the toys, medical supplies and other goods.

“It’s not easy right now there,” Carrasco said. “Everyone knows what’s happening in Venezuela. It’s sad. And that’s what we need the most. We need medical supplies. The hospitals have some stuff, but they need more. Many families have had to bring everything to the hospital with them so they can …

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