Influential Marylanders 2010: Nick and Christina Markakis - The Daily Record

The Right Side Foundation

In 2009, after Nick Markakis signed a long-term contract with the Baltimore Orioles, the right fielder and his wife, Christina, decided to make Baltimore their permanent home. That same year, the couple founded the Right Side Foundation, a way, says Christina, a former teacher, to give back to the community and to help distressed children throughout the state.

With the assistance of the Orioles' management, the foundation is now implementing programs, investing in community groups and seeking strategic partners. Its key program is "Fun for 21." The goal is to host one event a month for 21 children - 21 is Markakis' uniform number - for lunch and tours of educational or recreational attractions such as the National Aquarium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

"For me, the satisfaction is seeing the children's faces light up," says Christina Markakis.