Team Collects Nearly 17 Bins of Toys at 2nd Annual Holiday Party
Parney the Elf, Santa Claus, the United States Marine Corps and the Richmond Flying Squirrels collected nearly 17 bins full of new, unwrapped toys during the 2nd Annual Holiday Party at The Diamond on Saturday. Many gracious fans braved the elements as the team collected more than double the amount of toys (eight bins) that the Inaugural Holiday Party netted in 2009.
“We have a phenomenal base of fans and community supporters,” said Parney the Elf. “We are continually amazed at their generosity and are grateful that we are able to stage events like this that allow them to participate and get involved in a fun way.”
During the event, party-goers visited Santa Claus and had their pictures taken by Real Life Studios, enjoyed Christmas crafts, warmed up with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and enjoyed a baseball-themed raffle.
Flying Squirrels fans filled nearly 17 bins to aid Toys for Tots. (Photo courtesy of the Richmond Flying Squirrels)
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The Richmond Flying Squirrels‘ Score an “A” Free Ticket Program presented by Union First Market Bank was a huge success in its inaugural year, and the program will be available once again during the Flying Squirrels’ 2011 season.
The value of tickets redeemed during the 2010 season was over $18,000.
“The Flying Squirrels are always striving to make an impact in the Richmond community in a positive manner, with the school systems being one of our main focuses,” said Flying Squirrels Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “The ticket program is a way for us to reward those students who push themselves to excel in academics.”
Every “A” on a student’s current K-12 report card during the third and fourth marking periods earned them a FREE General Admission ticket to a Richmond Flying Squirrels home game. Each “A” was good for one ticket per game–for example, if a student earned 8 A’s they would receive 8 General Admission tickets to 8 different games.
“The ‘Score an ‘A’ Free Ticket Program’ is a fun way to reward hard work and achievement or to provide that little extra incentive to push for a higher grade,” said Harry A. Turton, Jr., Richmond President of Union First Market Bank. “Union First Market Bank is headquartered in Richmond and is the largest community bank serving the Richmond-area. We are a proud sponsor of the program and hope the students will enjoy watching the Flying Squirrels as much as our teammates enjoy watching them play.”
Students cashed in on nearly $18,000 worth of tickets in 2010.
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On Saturday, June 19, the Flying Squirrels partnered with Budweiser to honor the troops for Military Appreciation Night. Hundreds of soldiers and military personnel enjoyed a game at The Diamond.
Support US Armed forces collected donations by offering acorn cut outs to fans to show their support of the troops and raised over $1200 dollars that was used to make care packages for the troops overseas! 
The Squirrels also held a “Camo Jersey off the Back” Auction raising over $1,390 with all proceeds benefiting the Robert E. Lee Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) that supports soldiers at Fort Lee and throughout central VA.
Fans were entertained by WWE Hall of Fame Wrestler Sergeant Slaughter and were given a camouflage baseball cap as they entered the gates, courtesy of Budweiser.
SGT. Slaughter leading the crowd in Take me out to the Ballgame!
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In the Flying Squirrels Inaugural Season, we also launched our inaugural reading program, “Go Nuts for Reading!”. Elementary school students throughout the Greater Richmond Area participated by reading eight books over two months to earn a ticket to a Flying Squirrels game this past spring. While at the game, students were recognized by participating in a pre-game parade around the warning track led by Nutzy!
To encourage the children to read, Nutzy and his friends went out to the schools and put on assemblies talking to the students about the benefits of reading, our reading program and Nutzy even acted out “Casey at the Bat”! The classroom that read the most books total from each school district was rewarded with a pizza party and visited by a Flying Squirrels player and Nutzy!
In our first year, over 32,100 students participated within nine school districts!
Nutzy and kids after on-field parade to celebrate reading program
Nutzy at a reading assembly acting out "Casey at the Bat."
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On Saturday, May 29, the Richmond Flying Squirrels teamed up with the Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross for CPR Grand Slam! Residents in the Greater Richmond area took an online class and then finished their CPR certification training in the outfield at The Diamond! Participants were greeted by Nutzy as they checked in, then taken down on to the field to finish training. Once the course was completed, the newly certified patrons earned a ticket to that night’s Sq
uirrels game and were recognized for attending the life saving training! The youngest participant certified was 13 years old–he tossed out the ceremonial first pitch!
Red Cross CPR training on the outfield
Nutzy and our first pitch winner after completing CPR training at only 13!
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On Tuesday, May 18, the Richmond Flying Squirrels teamed up with the VA Peanut Growers to raise awareness about peanuts and the need for peanut butter for the Central Virginia Food Bank. People that brought a jar of peanut butter to the game to donate to the Central Virginia Food Bank were entered into a drawing to win an authentic Flying Squirrels practice jersey. Along with raising awareness about a great organization that is in constant need of support, we had a lot of fun as well as we were not only joined by two peanut mascots (one from the Virginia Peanut Festival & one from VA Diner) but also Peanuts characters Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy! Samples of 
peanuts were distributed to our fans as fun was had by all in a tribute to one of Virginia’s most well known foods, the peanut!
Two happy Squirrels fans donating for a great cause!
Peanut Mascots helping with an on-field contest-Peanut Ring Toss!
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