Archives for May 2014

Altoona Mirror & AMBUCS Altoona Team Up for Curve, Pa. Heroes Game

May 22, 2014

Proceeds from in-game jersey auction and other fundraising efforts will purchase an Action Trackchair for one local veteran

The Altoona Mirror and AMBUCS Altoona have partnered up with the Altoona Curve to present the Curve, Pa. Heroes Game during the 2014 Eastern League All-Star Stop presented by UPMC Health Plan, the parties announced today. The Curve Pa. Heroes Game presented by the Altoona Mirror & AMBCUS Altoona will kick off the two days’ worth of festivities surrounding the Eastern League’s midsummer classic in Curve, Pa.

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST), which is made up of young, competitive, athletic veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs post-9/11 while serving their country in the military/war, will be taking on a group of Curve, Pa. Alumni in the Heroes softball game. One member of the WWAST that will be participating in the game will be Josh Wege, who was in the U.S. Marines and served in Operation Enduring Freedom. Wege participated in the 2013 MLB Legends Celebrity Softball Game and was named the game’s MVP.

“The Mirror is thrilled with the opportunity to be involved with such a great event in the all-star game and such a great cause in the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Ray Eckenrode, the Mirror General Manager for Advertising. “To be able to recognize the sacrifices of our service men and women is truly an honor. The POW/MIA Chair is a pet project of our publisher, Ed Kruger, and we’d like to thank the Curve staff for taking Ed’s vision and making it a reality in such a special way.”

Already scheduled to represent the Curve Alumni in the game are Adam Hyzdu, Mike Johnston, Tike Redman, Chris Snusz and Jack Wilson. They’ll be joined by a few additions in former Curve OF Kory DeHaan and LHP Mike Connolly.

DeHaan, who is currently the hitting coach with High-A Bradenton, played for the Curve during their inaugural season in 1999, reached the major leagues in 2000 with San Diego and again in 2002. DeHaan batted .268 with 13 doubles in 47 games for the Curve during the 1999 campaign. He last played professionally in 2003 for the Portland Beavers (Padres’ AAA Affiliate), playing in 54 games.

Connolly played for the Curve from 2003 to 2006 and reached as high as Triple-A both in 2005 and 2006. He was originally a 19th round draft pick in the 2000 draft out of Oneonta (NY) HS. Connolly currently resides in Altoona and is the co-owner/operator of ERA Sports, a baseball and softball academy offering advanced lessons and fielding teams that travel regionally to participate in tournaments.

“It will be great to welcome Kory and Mike back for the Heroes Game,” said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. “Our fans remember Kory for his outstanding second-half with the Curve in our inaugural season and for being just our second-ever player to go on and play in the Major Leagues. ‘Conno’ was a big part of our starting rotation for four years and, in each of those seasons, the Curve made the playoffs. It’s great to see him having success running ERA Sports teaching hundreds of local young players how to play the game.”

AMBUCS Altoona , which is a national non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities, has partnered up for the first day of events to help raise support and funds for the purchase of an Action Trackchair for one veteran here in Blair County. AMBUCS is working with the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center to select the recipient for the Action Trackchair. The Action Trackchair is the ultimate in off-road wheelchairs and will give its user the ability to navigate mountain roads, campgrounds, woods, beaches, hiking trails, frozen lakes, snowy terrain and much more.

All proceeds from the Ghostman Games & Hitting Challenge jerseys that the All-Stars will wear will be donated to the fund to purchase of the Action Trackchair. In addition, fans can purchase their very own Ghostman Games jersey with a portion of the proceeds from the sales going to the purchase of the Trackchair. The Curve will be accepting general donations up until the Eastern League All-Star Stop during game days at the Laurel Eye Clinic Customer Service Booth or non-game days inside the front office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Altoona Curve. Click here to view the original story.

Curve to Dedicate POW/MIA Chair Following Heroes Game on July 15

May 22, 2014

Team will dedicate one Toyota Diamond Club Seat to remain unoccupied for all future Curve games and events in honor of those American soldiers unaccounted for

The Altoona Curve, in conjunction with the Rolling Thunder (American Legion Riders Post 12) based out of Somerville, N.J. will dedicate a seat from the Toyota Diamond Club to those American soldiers who are unaccounted for with a POW/MIA seat following the Curve, Pa. Heroes Game presented by the Altoona Mirror and AMBUCS on July 15, the team announced today.

The seat, which will be painted black and affixed with the POW/MIA decals, is located in section 112, row 3, seat 3. There will also be a plaque that goes with the seat, which will be installed and located in an area around section 112.

“We are proud to honor those who have served our country,” said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. “The dedication of the POW/MIA seat will serve as a reminder of those who did not come home and remain unaccounted for. All too often, their service and the pain experienced by their families, friends, and fellow service members fails to be mentioned. In this way, we’re hopeful this dedication will help in reminding people and spurring further efforts to bring them home.”

The seat dedication is a part of a series of events surrounding the 2014 E.L. All-Star Stop presented by UPMC Health Plan to honor those that have served our country. A group of Curve, Pa. alumni will be playing the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) in a softball game for the Curve, Pa. Heroes Game to start the events on the 15^th.

Both the Eastern Division and Western Division All-Stars will don special jerseys for the Ghostman Games & Hitting Challenge that will follow the POW/MIA seat dedication ceremony. All proceeds from an auction of those jerseys will be put toward the purchase of an Action Trackchair for one local veteran that will be selected by AMBUCS in conjunction with the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Altoona Curve. Click here to view the original story.

Bats host Military Appreciation Day during eight-game homestand

May 21, 2014

The Louisville Bats begin an eight-game homestand Thursday, May 22 at Louisville Slugger Field that will feature two fireworks shows, a patriotic hat giveaway and Military Appreciation Day.

The patriotic cap giveaway on Saturday, May 24 will be the second of the Bats’ four regular-season cap giveaways. The caps will be given to the first 2,000 fans through the gates. The Bats will face the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, for four games from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25.

Military Appreciation Day will be on Monday, May 26. All retired and current military personnel and their families will receive free field reserved tickets with proper military identification. Monday will feature the first of four games against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

Fireworks during this homestand will be on Friday, May 23 and Memorial Day Eve on Sunday, May 25.

The Bats depart for Columbus on Friday, May 30 for the first two games of a split four-game series with the Columbus Clippers, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team returns to Louisville for two more games with Columbus on Sunday, June 1 and Monday, June 2. Sunday, June 1 will be 50-Cent Hot Dog Night at Louisville Slugger Field.

Louisville finished a 6-2 road trip through Norfolk and Durham on Tuesday and comes home sitting in third place in the IL West at 22-23, just 4.0 games back of first-place Indianapolis. The trip was the team’s first six-win road trip since July 2010. Outfielder Felix Pérez is hitting .296 in May and leads the International League in RBI and extra-base hits in the month, including four home runs on the road trip.

The Bats have averaged 8,979 fans per game at Louisville Slugger Field since its opening in 2000 and have totaled over 8.8 million fans through 14 seasons. Tickets for all regular season games are available. The entire 2014 Bats schedule, including updated promotions and special events, can be found at batsbaseball.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased online, by calling 1-855-228-8497 or by visiting the Louisville Slugger Field box office. Full and partial season tickets along with group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at 502-212-2287.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Louisville Bats. Click here to view the original story.

Bees to Honor U.S. Military Personnel on Saturday, May 24

May 21, 2014

The Salt Lake Bees will honor men and women of the United States Armed Forces during Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, May 24 as the Bees take on the Fresno Grizzlies at 6:35 p.m. The evening will feature ticket specials and military-themed entertainment.

The Bees are offering all military personnel with proper identification a free reserved ticket to the game. Military personnel can also purchase half-priced tickets for their families. These tickets can be purchased by calling 801-325-BEES (2337) or at the Smith’s Ballpark box office.

Colonel Ryan Britton with the US Air Force will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, the 807^th Medical Command out of Fort Douglas, Utah will lead the presentation of the colors and the Hill Air Force Base 419^th Anthem Choir will perform the national anthem and sing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch. A special military-themed fireworks show presented by Big O Tires will begin at the conclusion of the game.

Bees tickets are available online with no additional feels at slbees.com, by calling 801-325-BEES (2337), at the Smith’s Ballpark box office from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. or at all Smith’sTix outlets and Smith’s Food & Drug Stores.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salt Lake Bees. Click here to view the original story.

Take a Playcation on June 4th

May 21, 2014

Receive 4 Drive tickets and 4 passes to area attractions for just $40

On June 4^th, fans can take their annual Playcation with the Greenville Drive and Upstate attractions, as 2014 brings another exciting package! For just $40, fans will receive four tickets to that evening’s Drive game, plus four passes to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, the Greenville Zoo, and the Greenville County Rec Waterparks/Pavilion, a savings of $100!

The passes for the Upstate attractions are good through September 1^st. Fans who already have tickets for the game on June 4^th cannot add on the Playcation to their existing tickets, they must purchase the package as a whole.

Act now, because the Playcation package will sell quickly! It can be purchased by visiting Fluor Field’s Main Street Box Office or by calling (864) 240-4528. At the time of purchase, fans will receive four Drive tickets plus a card that can be redeemed at all of the Upstate attraction locations.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

AquaSox to Host Pink at the Park Game 6/27

May 20, 2014

Pink at the Park benefits the Providence Comprehensive Breast Center

The Everett AquaSox announced today that they are partnering with the Providence Comprehensive Breast Center for Pink at the Park at the Everett AquaSox-Spokane Indians game on Friday, June 27. The event will celebrate women’s health, raise awareness and proceeds will benefit the Breast Center.

AquaSox players and coaches will be wearing pink jerseys on the 27th, which will be autographed and auctioned off during the game. There will be face painting and hair painting available in the concourse, an information fair on women’s health as well as a raffle for several gift baskets. Proceeds from all of these elements will go to the Providence General Foundation’s Comprehensive Breast Center Fund to help raise awareness for local breast cancer detection and treatment.

“Partnering with the AquaSox to help meet the health needs of women in our community with breast cancer is truly a gift. The funds will be used to support our local Breast Center and the patients we serve. We’re grateful for this generous support, said Gayle Jago, Manager of Providence Comprehensive Breast Center.

Tickets for this event are on sale now at aquasox.com/groups, with the group password: pink2014. Four dollars from every ticket purchased through this link will go to the Providence Comprehensive Breast Center Fund.

“We are so honored to partner with Providence for this important night to celebrate women and women’s health,” said AquaSox assistant general manager Katie Crawford Woods, “One in eight women will develop breast cancer, so it is a disease that affects us all.”

To learn more about the Providence Comprehensive Breast Center, please visit phcbc.com. If you’d like to purchase tickets to Pink at the Park on June 27th, visit aquasox.com/groups and use code: pink2014.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Everett AquaSox. Click here to view the original story.

Free admission to active military and veterans on Friday

May 20, 2014

In celebration of Memorial Day weekend, the St. Lucie Mets would like to pay tribute to the service men and women of our country by offering all current military personnel and veterans free admission into Friday’s game.

The Mets host the Clearwater Threshers at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Veterans and active military just need to show proof of ID at the Tradition Field box office to get into the game free of charge.

Prior to first pitch there will be a color guard, the performing of the National Anthem and ceremonial first pitches delivered by members of the American Gold Star Mothers. The American Gold Star Mothers are an organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country.

For more information, visit www.stluciemets.com or call 772-871-2115.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the St. Lucie Mets. Click here to view the original story.

Donate generously to the Fifth Third Bank Food Drive

May 20, 2014

Did you know an estimated 50 million Americans go hungry every day, including one child out of every five in this country? To help raise awareness and inspire action, Fifth Third Bank and the Mud Hens are teaming up to collect food during the May 26-June 2 homestand in support of the Food for Thought program in Northwest Ohio.

Fans attending the Mud Hens home games between Monday, May 26 and Monday, June 2 are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the ballpark. Boxes will be readily available at all entrances.

Fifth Third chose the food drive as this year’s bank-wide service project in honor of Fifth Third Day which occurs annually on May 3. Fifth Third Bank will celebrate Fifth Third Day at the Ballpark on Saturday, May 31 during the Food Drive. During the past two years, Fifth Third employees provided more than 890,000 meals to those in need. For 2014, each of the Bank’s affiliates has created its own plan to fight hunger, with the goal of providing at least 530,000 meals.

Food for Thought is a social justice non-profit dedicated to feeding the hungry and offering dignity, welcome and relationship to anyone in need. The group operates a stationary food pantry in Oregon and a mobile pantry which visits 17 fixed locations around the Toledo area every month.

Call 419-725-4367 for tickets to the May 26 through June 2 games or order online.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Toledo Mud Hens. Click here to view the original story.

ALS Celebrity Waiter Event Returns June 4th

May 20, 2014

Fundraiser once again held at TGI Friday’s in Brick

The BlueClaws are proud to hold their 14th annual ALS Celebrity Waiter Event on Wednesday, June 4th at TGI Friday’s on Route 70 in Brick.

The event, which started in 2001, raises money for the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, the principal charity of the Philadelphia Phillies.

This marks the third straight year the event will be at TGI Friday’s in Brick. There will be two seatings: one at 5:30 and another at 7:00. As in years past, BlueClaws players will be serving as the waiters, and coaches will serve as bartenders.

20% of every check, plus 100% of all tips, will be donated directly to the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia.

Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 732-262-0937.

“This has been a wonderful partnership between the BlueClaws and the ALS Association over the last 13 years and we are looking forward to what is always a great event,” said Jim DeAngelis, BlueClaws Director of Community Relations.

“The Phillies and their family have raised money to fight ALS for 30 years and here at the minor league level, the BlueClaws have been able to do the same since our inception in 2001,” he added.

The ALS Celebrity Waiter event has raised nearly $125,000 in its first 13 years.

There will also be a silent auction, while BlueClaws players will sign autographs and pose for pictures throughout the night.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League in attendance in all 13 years of existence.

Tickets for all remaining BlueClaws games are on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online at BlueClaws.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

Chicken of the Sea Donates $10,000 to Kiwanis Miracle League

May 16, 2014

Christie Fleming (far right) from Chicken of the Sea presents the check for $10,000 to representatives from the Kiwanis Miracle League.

In a special ceremony prior to tonight’s Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park, representatives from Chicken of the Sea made a $10,000 donation to the Downtown Kiwanis Miracle League. The donation will allow 50 kids to play the entire season with the Miracle League this summer in downtown Des Moines.

The donation was part of the Chicken of the Sea’s “Great American Gratitude Tour.” In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Chicken of the Sea is touring the country to give back to local organizations and individuals who are doing great work in their communities. Chicken of the Sea will donate $1,000,000 by the end of their tour. Chicken of the Sea Vice President of Marketing Christie Fleming addressed the crowd and made the official presentation to several of the board members, parents, and players from the Miracle League on hand at Principal Park tonight. Fleming is a native of Oskaloosa, Iowa and a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. She was joined on the field by Catalina, the mermaid mascot for Chicken of the Sea.

To find out more about the “Great American Gratitude Tour” and the organizations that have benefitted from these donations, visit chickenofthesea.com/100. For fans that received a gold coin at the game tonight, that’s also the place to enter your code to see if your coin is worth $10,000 or another prize from Chicken of the Sea.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Iowa Cubs. Click here to view the original story.

Drive and Michelin to Celebrate Reading All-Stars on May 25th

May 16, 2014

First pitch at 4:05 PM; Pregame parade at 3:30

The Greenville Drive and Michelin, N.A. are excited to celebrate the 2014 Reading All-Stars from Greenville County middle schools and all Anderson and Spartanburg County schools on Sunday, May 25th! The Drive’s seventh annual reading incentive program is designed to encourage learning and education success through reading, and the program reaches over 75,000 students year-round.

First pitch for the game with the Augusta GreenJackets is at 4:05, but the fun starts at 3:30, as the Drive honor these Reading All-Stars for their hard work this school year with participation in a pre-game “Parade of Champions” around Fluor Field. Each Reading All-Star will also be presented with a Drive – Michelin Reading All-Star commemorative t-shirt.

During the game, five schools with continued success in the program will be inducted into the inaugural Reading All-Star Hall of Fame, and top performers for the school year will be recognized. In addition, students will participate in the in-game entertainment, including a tug-of-war, shoe scramble, sack race and more!

To purchase tickets for Sunday’s game, stop by the Main Street Box Office, call (864) 240-4528 or log on to GreenvilleDrive.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

Orem Owlz Efforts Benefit ‘Locks of Love’

May 16, 2014

June 21^st marks a great day for baseball and haircuts at the Home of the Owlz. If you are wondering if Owlz really need haircuts, of course they do! We are teaming up with Locks of Love and Aveda Institute of Provo for the second home game of the season. The students at Aveda will be providing free haircuts for all eligible donors. Haircuts will be offered starting at 6:30 PM and will run through the end of the 4^th inning. Owlz front office members will be supporting the cause to show community rally for the event. General Manager, Justo Vazquez, will be the first donor as he is attempting to grow his hair out to the appropriate length. “We are excited to be a part of this, as this is our first big event for Locks of Love,” says Vazquez. “I personally can’t wait to donate and help a child in need.” Since the idea first came to fruition, Vazquez has made it a goal to have his hair ready by June in order to show his support.

This event will benefit Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides vacuum fitted hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated human hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. Others have suffered severe burns or injuries or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem or other dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss. The vacuum fit is designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of tape or glue. The prostheses they provide help to restore self-esteem and confidence, enabling these children to face the world and their peers.

The organization, which began operation in 1998, provides the prostheses to children under age 21. These hairpieces require between 6-10 ponytails and take approximately 4-6 months to manufacture. Thousands of bundles of donated hair arrive as a result of the national publicity that Locks of Love receives in newspapers, magazines, and television programs. It is estimated that children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a charity where children have an opportunity to help children.

Donate hair is evaluated for its usefulness according to the following guidelines:

It must be at least 10″, clean and dry
It must be bundled in a ponytail or braid
Bleached hair cannot be used
Hair that has been dyed or permed can be used

Monetary donations to Locks of Love are tax deductible.

The Owlz will also be promoting Breast Cancer Awareness with Swing for Life of Utah. We are doubling our efforts for this special evening and inviting everyone to “Pink Out the Park”! This is a great opportunity to support two causes and help the Owlz continue to be a force for good in our community. “Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death (death from any type of cancer) among women ages 20 to 59,” according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation website. Help the Owlz make this evening one to honor those special people in our lives and community who have fought this disease.

For more information about Locks of Love donations or how to honor a survivor or loved one, please call the Owlz front office at (801) 377-2255 or email Assistant General Manager Jillian Dingee at jillian@oremowlz.com and Community Relations Director Kristen Johnson at kristen@oremowlz.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Orem Owlz. Click here to view the original story.

Over 12,000 Students to Fill Smith’s Ballpark for Prevention Dimensions Day

May 16, 2014

The Salt Lake Bees, in conjunction with the Utah State Office of Education, will host Prevention Dimensions Kids’ Day at the Bees vs. Albuquerque Isotopes game on Tuesday, May 20 at 10:35 a.m. The Bees will welcome more than 12,000 students to this 11th annual event at Smith’s Ballpark which promotes drug and alcohol prevention. Preventions Dimensions Day is sponsored Questar and MedOne.

The fifth and sixth grade students in attendance will be treated to an opening ceremony on the field before State of Utah First Lady Jeanette Herbert presents State of Utah Superintendent Martell Menlove with a declaration declaring the day as Prevention Dimensions Day in Utah. The National Anthem will be performed pregame by the One Voice Children’s Choir, a non-profit organization that provides children with the opportunity to cultivate an appreciation for music and share their talents while delivering a positive message.

Prevention Dimensions is Utah’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities lesson set, which supports the Utah State Office of Education pre-kindergarten through 12th grade health core. The program strives to give students a strong foundation of effective violence and substance abuse prevention skills. The program began in 1982 as a joint effort between the Utah State Division of Substance Abuse, Utah State Department of Health, Utah State Office of Education, and Utah State PTA, and has been revised several times since.

Prevention Dimensions Kids’ Day is part of the Bees organization’s ongoing commitment to community outreach, health and wellness and youth development. The next eight-game homestand at Smith’s Ballpark begins on Monday, May 19 when the Bees take on the Albuquerque Isotopes at 6:35 p.m. Monday is Smith’s Family Night where four tickets and four hot dogs can be purchased for just $20 at all Smith’sTix locations.

Bees tickets are available at the Smith’s Ballpark box office from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., as well as at all Smith’sTix outlets and Smith’s Food & Drug Stores. Tickets may also be purchased online with no additional fees at www.slbees.com or by phone at 801-325-BEES (2337).

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salt Lake Bees. Click here to view the original story.

Home Runs, Strikeouts Benefit Local Charities

May 15, 2014

BlueClaws partners OceanFirst Bank, Stop & Shop donate to local organizations through two initiatives

The BlueClaws have partnered with OceanFirst Foundation and Stop & Shop to raise money for local organizations when a BlueClaws batter hits a home run or when a BlueClaws pitcher strikes out an opposing hitter at FirstEnergy Park this summer.

OceanFirst Foundation’s Home Runs for Heroes
The BlueClaws and OceanFirst Foundation have again partnered on Home Runs for Heroes, a program that raises money for local military-based non-profit organizations. Each inning of the game is tied in with a local military-based organization. Each time the BlueClaws hit a home run in Lakewood, OceanFirst Foundation makes a donation of $1,000 to that organization. For a rundown of charities, please click here.

The program is now in its sixth season and has raised over $120,000 so far. For more on OceanFirst Foundation, click here.

Stop & Shop’s Strike Out Hunger
The BlueClaws and Stop & Shop have again partnered on the Strike Out Hunger campaign, through which Stop & Shop makes a donation to the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties for every BlueClaws strikeout by a pitcher in Lakewood this year. Last year, the program raised over $10,000 for the Food Bank, which supports over 260 pantries and soup kitchens at the Jersey Shore.

Further, this year, as part of their 100th anniversary celebration, Stop & Shop will give out a $100 gift card to one lucky fan each time the BlueClaws reach a 100-strikeout milestone this year (100th, 200th, etc strikeout of the year).

For a program rundown, click here.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in all 13 years of existence. For tickets to any BlueClaws home game, call 732-901-7000 option 2 or click here.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

GreenJackets to Host Blood Drive on May 17th with Shepeard Community Blood Center

May 15, 2014

The Augusta GreenJackets announced today that they will be hosting the Shepeard Community Blood Drive as a part the home game at Lake Olmstead Stadium vs. the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Saturday, May 17^th with first pitch at 7pm. The Community Blood Center will be outside the main stadium gates receiving donations between 6 PM and 9 PM to help those in need around the CSRA.

“As your community blood bank, and the contracted provider of blood and blood products to 20 local hospitals, including GR Health, and the regional burn center, Shepeard must collect 144 units each day to meet the needs of local patients”, said Greg Bearden, Assistant Director of Community Resources. “We are grateful to sponsors like the Augusta GreenJackets and our faithful family of donors who are helping us reach this goal to save local lives.”

This will be the second time Shepeard Community Blood Center has come to Lake Olmstead Stadium. Back in March, the Center came to BuzzFest and had a respectable turnout. The Center will be coming back to Lake Olmstead four more times throughout the season.

“Shepeard Blood Center is not only an important part of the community but a great organization to work with,” said GreenJackets GM Tom Denlinger. “With our commitment to the CSRA it is our pleasure to host a blood drive at the ballpark and tie in with great partners like Shepeard Blood Center and GR Health!”

Georgia Regents Medical Center, who works closely with Shepeard Community Blood Center, will also be at the game. The first 1,000 fans inside the stadium will receive a visor courtesy of GR Health. Fans who donate blood at the Community Blood Center will receive a FREE ticket to Shepeard Blood Center Night with the GreenJackets on June 6^th. Plus kids 12 and under can run the bases after the game.

For more information about Shepeard Community Blood Center, how to donate blood or get involved click here.

2014 marks the 26th consecutive season of professional baseball in Augusta. All GreenJackets Ticket Plans, including Full, Half, Weekend, and Custom Plans are on sale now for the 2014 Season. For more information, including pricing and benefits, visit www.GreenJacketsBaseball.com or contact the GreenJackets Front Office at 706-922-WINS.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Augusta GreenJackets. Click here to view the original story.