Archives for November 2021

Drive 4 Harvest Hope at Fluor Field November 19

 

The Greenville Drive are proud to partner with WYFF News 4 to host the Drive 4 Harvest Hope at Fluor Field November 19 from noon-7 PM.

Please donate nonperishable food items to the Main Street gate at Fluor Field for those in need this holiday season. All items will directly benefit Harvest Hope–a foodbank located in Greenville.

WYFF News 4 will also produce their evening broadcast live at the stadium to support the food drive.

Additionally, the Drive will honor longtime respected news anchor Michael Cogdill who is retiring after 32 years behind the desk at WYFF. Join us to support the food drive and show appreciation to one of Greenville’s most-beloved voices.

Travs Announce Formation of Non-Profit Youth Foundation

 

The Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club is excited to announce the establishment of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) public charity that will serve as the official team charity of the Arkansas Travelers. The creation of the foundation allows the Travs to help foster an environment where baseball and softball in Arkansas can thrive as the club uses its assets to empower young athletes.

Longtime Arkansas Travelers front office employee Lance Restum will take on the role of Director of Charities and Community Support and serve as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation. Restum had been serving as an Assistant General Manager for the Travs. A native of Houston, Texas, Restum has been part of the Travelers staff since 2006, the final season at Ray Winder Field. He has filled numerous roles including Director of Marketing and Public Relations and most recently Assistant General Manager. In addition to his new role, Restum will continue as the Travelers’ popular on-field emcee at home games.

“We are thrilled to create the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation and hope to create a long lasting impact on youth baseball and softball throughout the state of Arkansas,” said Travs CEO Rusty Meeks. “Lance is well known within our communities and is the perfect choice to make this endeavor a success.”

With the creation of this foundation, the Travs organization seeks to support youth sports and education programs across the state of Arkansas. Initiatives include community impact grants and scholarships. The Travs believe that all young athletes should have access to the games of baseball and softball, regardless of barriers they may face and support those who wish to pursue careers working in sports.

More information regarding the launch of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation will be available in 2022.

Founded in 1901, the Arkansas Travelers are the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and call Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock home. For all the latest information with the club and events at the ballpark, log on to travs.com or follow the Travelers on Facebook (Arkansas Travelers), Instagram (@artravs) and Twitter (@artravs). The Travelers have a clear bag policy for all events. Opening Night for the 2022 baseball season is set for Monday, April 11.

Turkey Drive sponsored by Provident Bank to be held at Coca-Cola Park

 

Allentown, Pennsylvania (4 November 2021) – Provident Bank, New Bethany Ministries, and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are partnering once again to hold a frozen turkey drive on Thursday, November 18 from 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. Residents who visit the ballpark will be able to donate a frozen turkey (10-12 lb. preferred). The frozen turkeys will be collected in a refrigerated truck and stored until distribution later that afternoon. New Bethany Ministries has set a goal to collect and distribute 1,000 frozen turkeys to community-based nonprofits throughout the Lehigh Valley.

“New Bethany is truly grateful for the endless support from our community of volunteers and donors, especially now as we assist nonprofits from around the area in helping their clients celebrate Thanksgiving with a home-cooked meal,” said Marc Rittle, Executive Director of New Bethany Ministries. “Thanks to our partnership with Provident Bank and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, hundreds of families throughout the Lehigh Valley will have a turkey this year.”

This is Provident Bank’s fifth consecutive year sponsoring the frozen turkey drive, which was an idea of Provident’s Bob Price, Senior Vice President/Relationship Manager, Commercial Lending. Bob is also a long-time board member of New Bethany Ministries, now in their 36th year of providing Thanksgiving meals to community residents. This is also the fifth consecutive year that the refrigerated truck is being donated by Tom Mesko, a longtime friend and customer of Provident Bank.

“We’re proud to partner with New Bethany Ministries and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on this important initiative to support families of the Lehigh Valley. Involvement with the communities we serve and helping those in need is fundamental at Provident Bank,” said Chris Martin, Chairman and CEO.

Provident Bank employees will be on site to accept frozen turkeys outside of the Provident Bank Ticket Office at Coca-Cola Park. The first 500 people to donate a frozen turkey on Thursday, November 18 will receive a commemorative oven mitt. In addition, they will receive a coupon for 15% off their purchase at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Clubhouse Store (coupon valid Thursday, November 18 only).

“For just this one time, it’s okay to ‘talk turkey’ instead of pork,” exclaimed IronPigs President and General Manager, Kurt Landes. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our fans and partners to provide a Thanksgiving turkey to support those throughout the Lehigh Valley who are unable to on their own. And Hambone appreciates and encourages the consumption of turkey on every holiday rather than other (gulp) alternatives.”

For more information on the frozen turkey drive, please visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call New Bethany Ministries at 610-691-5602.

About Provident Bank

Provident Bank, a community-oriented financial institution offering “Commitment you can count on” since 1839, is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS), which reported assets of $13.39 billion as of September 30, 2021. With $10.84 billion in deposits, Provident Bank provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey, as well as Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Queens County in New York. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, SB One Insurance Agency, Inc. For more information about Provident Bank, visit www.provident.bank or join the conversations on Facebook (ProvidentBank) and Twitter (@ProvidentBank).

About New Bethany Ministries

New Bethany Ministries, in their 36th year of service to the Lehigh Valley, encompasses programs that provide food support, clothing, referral services, showers, financial management, permanent housing for men and women, wellness services, and transitional and permanent housing solutions. Their mission is to offer hope and support to people who experience poverty, hunger, and homelessness. NBM believes that all people, regardless of circumstances, should be treated with dignity and care without judgment. No one who seeks help is turned away. To learn more about New Bethany Ministries, find them on Facebook and Twitter @NewBethMin, or visit them on the web at www.newbethanyministries.org.

Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/LHVIronPigs.

The IronPigs are presented by Capital BlueCross.

–#OinkOn–

Promo Team and Reedy Tryouts Set for November 20 at Fluor Field

 

PROMO

The Greenville Drive are looking for fun, enthusiastic candidates who are motivated to represent the organization at home games and in the community. The Promo Team is an integral part of home Drive games and devote their time to energizing the fans at Fluor Field and making sure everyone has a great game day experience!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Saturday, November 20th, 2021
Fluor Field at the West End
9:30AM – 11:30 AM

The ideal candidate will be an outgoing individual with a fun, energetic personality. Must be 16 or older, able to attend Drive home games, work nights and weekends and have reliable transportation.

You will be responsible for handing out promotional material, assisting with mascot functions, helping with sponsored promotions, pumping up the crowd and having FUN!

The Drive wants positive minded persons. You will be the fresh face of our promo team that will be responsible for interacting with fans and making sure they have a pleasant experience.

Auditions will consist of interactive group games, improv activities, and opportunities to interact with other candidates and the judges. These activities are meant to assess each candidate’s personality, enthusiasm, energy, teamwork skills and their comfort level in front of a crowd.

Candidates should wear comfortable, but active, attire INCLUDING athletic shoes

An orientation time will be announced at a later date if you are selected to the team.

REEDY

The ideal candidate will be physically fit and able to sustain energy throughout a Drive game. Must be 18 or older with reliable transportation. Height Requirements: 5’9″ to 6’2″ to fit into the costume. You must be a highly skilled performer with a great ability to improvise and animate. Previous experience as an animator, character, mascot, or interactive entertainer is a plus. Seeking people in good physical condition with skills in dancing, tumbling, gymnastics or acrobatics. Must be good with children and be an outgoing people person.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Saturday, November 20th, 2021
Fluor Field at the West End
9:30AM – 11:30 AM

Position requires five months of 66 home games to attend, from April through September. You will have a preset schedule of game dates and times. Most games are in the evening and dates will include weekends. Please note our mascot performs outside in summer months and must take into consideration the likelihood for high temperatures. Additional appearance requests will be all calendar year. You will be required to fulfil additional non-gameday appearances to be considered for gameday appearances. Compensation is on a per game basis and will be paid bi-weekly.

Those interested in auditioning will be required to have a 30 second to minute long performance/sketch prepared. This performance is at the discretion of the performer and must be appropriate for a family audience. We suggest you incorporate skits, your dancing abilities, and how you would interact with fans of any age. Tryouts will be on the dugout top. Please arrive on time. We will audition all candidates until all have had opportunity.

Please wear athletic/workout attire.

Sherman Johnson Awarded With Twins Harmon Killebrew Award For Community Service

ST. PAUL, MN (October 1, 2021) – The Minnesota Twins today announced the 2021 Harmon Killebrew Award winners for outstanding minor league community service. Following the Hall of Famer’s death in 2011, the Twins have annually recognized a player from each of the organization’s full-season affiliates. Each player is nominated by their respective general manager for their service within the affiliate’s community. A plaque is awarded, in addition to an on-field presentation during spring training. Though opportunities for community involvement were limited in 2021 due to COVID restrictions, this year’s winners made the best of the circumstances to make an impact in their respective cities.

Infielder Sherman Johnson has been named the winner of the award representing Triple-A St. Paul. Johnson is passionate about reading and promoting literacy, and was active in the Saints’ Reading Tree program this past season. The program took place on the outfield grass prior to Sunday home games and featured a Saints player and a local author/illustrator reading books to kids. Johnson, 31, signed a minor league contract with the Twins on May 12 and began the season at Double-A Wichita, before being transferred to St. Paul on June 1. He batted a combined .202 (45-for-223) with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored and 46 walks in 75 games for the Saints and Wind Surge.

Right-handed pitcher Hector Lujan has been named the winner of the award representing Double-A Wichita, his third time earning the honor (2014 – Cedar Rapids and 2019 – Pensacola). The 27-year-old was recognized by the Wind Surge front office as the first player to reach out about community engagement opportunities, despite the limits imposed by the pandemic. Lujan was also quick to engage and interact with fans by signing autographs, and was always willing to assist the front office whenever needed. He went 3-2 with a 3.62 ERA (32.1 IP, 13 ER), nine walks and 33 strikeouts in 18 games for the Wind Surge, missing time due to injury.

Catcher Alex Isola has been named the winner of the award representing Single-A Cedar Rapids. Isola volunteered with the local Meals on Wheels chapter during the 2021 season, delivering meals to those in need in his free time and encouraging his teammates to do the same. The 23-year-old also spent significant time signing autographs for fans whenever possible, using the bullpen area as his base. Isola spent the entire 2021 season with the Kernels, his first full professional campaign, hitting .243 (88-for-362) with 15 doubles, 17 home runs, 52 RBI, 47 runs scored and 53 walks in 98 games.

Catcher Jeferson Morales has been named the winner of the award representing Single-A Fort Myers. Morales was recognized by the Mighty Mussels front office as a player who went above and beyond regarding fan interaction during the season, noting his constant willingness to interact with fans and sign autographs whenever he could. The 22-year-old split the 2021 minor league season between Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids, batting a combined .255 (84-for-329) with 24 doubles, 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 54 runs scored in 96 games.