December 2011

RiverDogs Front Office Staff Volunteer Days

December 22, 2011

Each month during the off-season, the Charleston RiverDogs close the office to complete a day of volunteer service with a local nonprofit organization. Since October, the RiverDogs have worked with Susan G. Komen For the Cure and Lowcountry Food Bank. On December 20, the RiverDogs staff spent the day volunteering at the Pet Helpers Adoption Center.

The team met with Erica Marcus, Volunteer and Off-Site Adoption Coordinator, to tour the facility and learn more about the work of Pet Helpers, before getting started. Throughout the morning, the RiverDogs staff assisted the Pet Helpers staff by unloading and washing the event van, raking leaves off the walking trails, preparing dog treats, and playing and walking the adoptable dogs. “I really enjoy our Staff Volunteer Days. It’s a very rewarding experience and a great way to really make a difference in our community,” commented Sean Houston, RiverDogs Director of Media Relations.

Pet Helpers is a private, non-profit 501c 3 Adoption Center and Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic that serves communities across the Lowcountry. Their mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted; providing low cost spay/neuter surgeries; offering humane education programs; pursuing animal cruelty prosecution; and initiating animal welfare legislation. For more information on how to donate, volunteer, or adopt a pet, please visit www.pethelpers.org

Top Row (from left to right): Director of Food and Beverage, Josh Gilkey; Director of Community Relations, Lauren Allio; Sales Representative, Annie Fuller; Director of Media Relations, Sean Houston; and Box Office Manager, David Cullins.
Bottom Row (from left to right): Assistant General Manager, Harold Craw; Director of Promotions, Noel Blaha; and Assistant General Manager, Andy Lange.

Tagged as: Charleston RiverDogs, New York Yankees, South Atlantic League, South Carolina, Volunteering

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RiverDogs Wrap Up 2nd “Inning” of Reading Initiative

December 13, 2011

The Charleston RiverDogs and the Charleston County School District have completed the second inning of their “Reading and Running With the RiverDogs” program, which emphasizes the fun and benefits in daily reading and exercise activities.

In the program’s second year, the number of participating schools has increased from nine to twelve local elementary schools. Participating schools for the 2011-2012 school year are Burns, Chicora, Goodwin, Mary Ford, Mitchell, Dunston, Hursey, Sanders-Clyde, North Charleston, Pinehurst, Memminger and James Simons elementary schools.

“The program is an excellent way for children to learn about the importance of reading and exercising, while associating the two with Charlie T. RiverDog” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “The RiverDogs are pleased to have this direct association with the Charleston County School District, and we hope to continue to increase participation each year.”

Two third-grade classes from each school participate in the program, which consists of four six-week “innings” with first, second and third place ribbons awarded in each individual class after the completion of each inning and at the conclusion of the program. After an inning is finished, the class with the most points in each school holds the school’s trophy and bragging rights until the next winner is determined after the following inning.

Children receive points each time they reach a designated reading or fitness goal. One point is awarded for every 20 minutes a child spends reading and for every 20 minutes exercising, while two points are awarded if the exercise is done for the good of another (washing a car, raking leaves, walking a neighbor’s dog, and the like).

Each child’s points log must be accumulated outside of class and class assignments. Parents must sign off on the kids’ reading/exercising log. In order to further help the effort, Charlie will visit the kids each inning to pump them up about exercising and reading, and RiverDogs’ staff members will read to the classes during each inning. At the end of each inning and the entire program, Charlie will hand out prizes for the children’s hard work.

Charlie visits M.C. Hursey Elementary School in North Charleston, SC. (photo courtesy of the Charleston RiverDogs)

Tagged as: Charleston RiverDogs, Children's Health & Development, Education/Teacher Support, New York Yankees, Reading Programs, South Atlantic League, South Carolina

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Staten Islanders Take the Plunge

December 8, 2011

The 5th Annual Staten Island Polar Bear Plunge was held on December 4th 2011 at the Great Kills Beach.  While the sun was shining and the temperature sat at a brisk 53 degrees, the water in the Atlantic Ocean still ran shivers down your spine.

This event was a fundraiser to raise money for the Special Olympics of New York that serves more than 30,000 athletes across all 5 New York boroughs. While the crowd varied from the youngest plunger of 11 years old, to high school participants, adults, athletes, college students and community volunteers, more than 700 people took the plunge at noon into the icy ocean.  Some participants dipped their toes in while others fully submerged and continued to splash around in the water after the initial plunge was over.

Among the participants were Jill Wright of the Staten Island Yankees who did not wear a wetsuit for fear of cheating and made sure to dive into the ocean like a true sport and supporter of the Special Olympics. While Jill was the only brave heart of the Staten Island Yankees to take the plunge, other volunteers helped take pictures, run registration, and set up and break down the event. Volunteers included: Michael Kitlas, John DeLuca, Heidi Silber, Matt Magnani, Ryan Woodley, Chris Anderson, Kerry Haley and of course, Scooter the Holy Cow.

The event was expected to raise over $100,000 and fun was had by all.

Taking the plunge, in action!

Local high schools participants along with Scooter, Plunge Bear and Chicken

Tagged as: Children's Health & Development, Fundraising Opportunities, New York, New York Yankees, New York-Penn League, Special Olympics, Staten Island Yankees

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