Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.
The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, are pleased to announce the return of their F.I.E.L.D. Program. F.I.E.L.D. is a Thunder initiative that stands for Focused Initiative for Enhanced Learning and Development.
The program supports youth baseball in the area. Members of the Thunder front office, The Grand Slam We Care Foundation, Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, the City of Trenton, Isles Youth Institute and the Mercer County Improvement Authority will come together to renovate the field, paint the bleachers and dugouts, and devote efforts toward the overall beautification of the facility at West End Little League located in Trenton, NJ on Thursday, April 18 at 9 a.m.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to see our community work together and provide an opportunity for the kids at West End Little League to play on a brand new playing surface,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. “We at the Thunder are huge supporters of youth baseball in the Capital City and I thank the folks at Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, the Mercer County Improvement Authority, Isles Youth Inc., and DuraEdge for their contributions to this program.”
“Efforts such as this are an example of how our Mercer County home team consistently steps up to the plate for the betterment of the community,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “It is an incredible honor for me to lead this county of true winners, and I thank all the volunteers working to improve the West End Little League ballpark.”
The F.I.E.L.D. program would not be possible without the outstanding support of the Mercer County Improvement Authority and Aetna. In 1967 the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) was created under the County Improvement Authorities Law to undertake certain projects for the benefit of the residents of Mercer County. As such, programs and services are available to assist the County, municipalities, school and fire districts and not-for-profits in the areas of financing, project management, redevelopment, solid waste and recycling. For more information, visit www.MCIANJ.org.
Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, one the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, supports the F.I.E.L.D. program through a generous donation to provide materials for athletes at the West End Little League to play on a brand new field for their Opening Day on April 27. For more information visit www.aetnabetterhealth.com/NJ.
“Our students are the future of Trenton. Many of them will grow old living in Trenton. It is our job to expose them to opportunities to impact the community through service learning,” said Shenette Gray, Managing Director of Isles Youth Institute. “The Partnership with Trenton Thunder allows our young people to experience community involvement in a very hands-on way. They learn that they can be the catalyst to change the narrative of Trenton.”
Isles Youth Institute, participating for the third consecutive renovation, is a community development and environmental organization based in Trenton, New Jersey. With a mission to foster self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities, Isles designs and develops effective services that support this mission and share what they learn with others who can make a difference. Beyond its central New Jersey base, Isles works to influence policy and practices that support healthy, self-help agendas. For more information, visit www.isles.org.
DuraEdge Engineered Soils will provide infield mix and other field materials in support of the F.I.E.L.D. program. With scientifically engineered solutions for every infield in the nation, DuraEdge provides materials for more than half of Major League Baseball’s teams and a host of minor league, collegiate, high school, little league and recreation facilities. For more information visit them online at www.duraedge.com.
The 2019 season will begin in Erie on Friday, April 5 at UPMC Park. Opening Night at ARM & HAMMER Park will take place on Friday, April 12 against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). Individual tickets are on-sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com.