Moises Bañuelos, a five-year member of the William E. Cope Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has been presented with a scholarship from the Major League Baseball Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Program, providing financial support and mentoring to pursue his dream of attending college and becoming a lawyer or doctor.

Bañuelos, 11, joins Boys & Girls Clubs members from around the country selected because of their talent in areas such as music, dance, art, science, literature, and athletics. HACDP scholarships help Club members develop the necessary skills and opportunities to excel in the field of their choice.

Bañuelos is a straight A student at Denver's Greenlee Elementary School. When he's not focused on school work, he enjoys playing soccer and basketball, and said that if he could tell Hank Aaron anything, he would thank him for "helping make my dreams come true" and added, "Hank Aaron inspires me to give back." Cope Club Director, Dan Ruybal, said of Bañuelos, "He is a young man who excels in everything he does. He gives 100%, not just at the Club but at school, in extracurricular activities, in athletics, and at home. He is an outstanding young man."

Major League Baseball has funded an endowment that annually distributes 44 scholarships nationally in honor of Hank Aaron's legendary jersey number 44. The Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation was started by Hank and Billye Aaron in 1994. "After I retired, my wife Billye and I decided we wanted to give back by helping kids achieve their dreams," said baseball icon Aaron. "It is a proud and happy day for us to see this program launched and supported."

"There are so many things I admire about my friend, Hank Aaron, including his tireless work advocating for youth and youth-related issues," said MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.

About Major League Baseball Charities: MLB Charities is a non-for-profit corporation that provides support to local, national, and international tax-exempt organizations to conduct or sponsor activities for the promotion of good health, physical education, public safety, medical research, literacy, educational, or charitable purposes. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the Official Charity of Baseball. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball pays all administrative expenses for MLB Charities.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver: The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Since 1961, BGCMD has been helping kids from tough neighborhoods stay out of trouble, stay in school, and succeed in life. Not just after school hangouts, the Clubs are places where young people come to learn, do homework, develop social skills, express themselves creatively, and participate in sports. Learn more at www.positiveplacedenver.org.