clubphilanthropy.com – Page 257 – Charity begins at home [plate]

Blue Rocks 2012 Holiday Card Contest Underway

November 8, 2012

WILMINGTON, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks welcome all students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade to participate in the 2012 Blue Rocks Holiday Card Contest. Entries for the 2012 Blue Rocks Holiday Card Contest are now being accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28. The winning entry will be the cover of the Blue Rocks Holiday Card. The winner will receive 10 tickets to Opening Night and a baseball autographed by the whole team!

All entrants will receive two tickets to a 2013 Blue Rocks game. The winner will be announced on November 30. Each entrant will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to a game in 2013. The grand prize winner will receive a team-signed ball, 10 tickets to a game and will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Art teachers and parents can send their entries to:
Wilmington Blue Rocks
Attn. Holiday Card Contest
801 Shipyard Drive
Wilmington, DE 19801

When returning entries, please be sure the student’s name, address, phone number, school and grade are written CLEARLY on the back of the entry. Entries should be submitted on an 8.5″ by 11″ sheet of paper and will become property of the Wilmington Blue Rocks and will not be returned. Please note that the Blue Rocks offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. We thank everyone for their participation and Happy Holidays. Good luck!

The Wilmington Blue Rocks open the 2013 season on the Riverfront against the Frederick Keys on Friday, April 12 at 7:05 p.m.

Blue Rocks Baseball = AffordaFUNability!www.bluerocks.com

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Click here to view the original story.

ValleyCats are accepting donations throughout this week to be distributed to those affected by Hurricane Sandy

November 7, 2012

Donations can be made during regular business hours at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium through Friday

TROY, NY – The Tri-City ValleyCats will be collecting donations at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium through Friday, November 9 for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The items will be distributed in Coney Island, Brooklyn on Saturday.Coney Island was one of the harder hit areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, and is home to the ValleyCats downstate New York-Penn League neighbor, the Brooklyn Cyclones. Members of the front office staff will be heading down to assist with the cleanup efforts and to distribute items desperately needed by the residents of that area.

The ValleyCats will accept the following items:

Coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets
Trash bags
Work gloves
Batteries
Flashlights
Tissues
Toilet paper
Napkins & paper towels

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Tri-City ValleyCats. Click here to view the original story.

Hernandez Raising Money for Sandy Relief

November 6, 2012

Trio of ex-Spinners join together to support home state

Former Spinner Jayson Hernandez is spearheading an effort among Red Sox minor leaguers to raise funds for Sandy relief in his home state of New Jersey. How can you help? It’s simple. Follow the link and read more about the efforts to make a donation today!

A catcher for the Spinners in 2010 and 2011, Hernandez spent his 2012 season playing with the Portland Sea Dogs. During his time with the Spinners, the outgoing and popular Hernandez was a staple at Spinners’ camps and community appearances, often catching ceremonial pitches on his day off or spending time signing autographs for fans.

“Baseball is full of good guys and Jayson is one of the best,” said Spinners Director of Media Relations Jon Boswell. “It comes as no surprise that he is behind the efforts to support his New Jersey neighbors and peers in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.”

In an effort that originated with Hernandez on Twitter (@Jays0n_Hernan), fellow Red Sox farm hands and Jersey natives Anthony Ranaudo (@anthony_ranaudo) and Pat Light (@Pat_Light) joined on, offering donations for Re-Tweets of the message with #GrandSlamforSandy.

Fans looking for more information can click HERE!
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lowell Spinners. Click here to view the original story.

Cookies with Claus Set for December 8

November 5, 2012

Free event starts at 10am to support Toys for Tots

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds are once again hosting “Cookies with Claus” on December 8 from 10am-12pm in the Executive Club of Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The event is free and open to the public. Santa Claus and Sherman Claus will be in attendance to get you ready for the holiday season.

The Shorebirds are encouraging everyone that attends to bring a new toy to the stadium, which will be donated to Toys for Tots. Through the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program the toys will be distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children on the Eastern Shore.

Donald Driver Charity Softball Game to return to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in 2013

November 5, 2012

Special ticket package on sale November 6

Donald Driver pitches during his 2012 Charity Softball Game. (Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium will host the 2013 Donald Driver Charity Softball Game sponsored by Kwik Trip for the sixth straight season. The offense and defense of the Green Bay Packers face each other in a softball game at the newly renovated home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday, June 16 at 1:05pm.

Driver is the Green Bay Packers all time leading receiver, a Super Bowl champion, Dancing With The Stars Champion, and a multiple time Donald Driver Charity Softball Champion.

“I am excited to host the game again this year. It is a special time for fans and players to enjoy each other while raising money for some wonderful causes,” said Driver. “My wife Betina and I are thankful for the loyal fans who continue to support the Donald Driver Foundation. Hopefully, the defense will put up a bigger challenge to our offense this time.”

A record crowd of 8,745 saw the offense defeat the defense 22-10 in 2012. That game featured a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Fans may purchase tickets for the game as part of a package starting November 6 at 10:00am. The ticket package includes three Timber Rattlers games and the Donald Driver game:

Sunday, June 16 – Donald Driver Charity Softball Game
Sunday, June 23 – vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels
Sunday, July 28 – vs. Burlington Bees
Sunday, August 4 – vs. Beloit Snappers

Prices for the packages are:
Premium Box Seat: $80
Box Seat: $64
Reserved Seat: $47

The first two rows of the seating bowl are the premium box seat option in this ticket package.

The game raises money for the Donald Driver Foundation. Donald and Betina Driver started the foundation to help homeless families, to support health and wellness initiatives, and to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Wisconsin and nationally.

La Crosse, Wisconsin based Kwik Trip, Inc. was founded in 1965 and has grown to over 390 Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Hearty Platter® and Tobacco Outlet Plus stores throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Kwik Trip, Inc. is a leader in the convenience store industry and prides itself on giving their loyal customers quality products and outstanding, friendly service.

Individual tickets for the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game go on sale Wednesday, November 14 at 10:00am. Tickets for the softball game are $50 for a premium box seat, $34 for a box seat, $23 for a reserved bleacher seat, and $12 for a general admission grass seat. There are also a limited number of patio tables available at $200. Patio tables seat four people and include waitstaff service and an autographed item from Donald Driver.

All You Can Eat Seats are available for $80 for the softball game only. These seats are located on the first base side of the stadium, include a ticket to the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game and an all-you-can eat picnic. These seats go on sale November 14.

Tickets to the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game are available in one of the following ways: Over the phone at 800-WI-TIMBER or (920) 733-4152; in person at 2350 North Casaloma Drive, Suite 102; or through the internet at www.timberrattlers.com. The Timber Rattlers box office is open from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Click here to view the original story.

Bees Make Donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation

November 3, 2012

The Burlington Bees recently made a donation of $750 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation as part of the Midwest League’s On-Field Behavior Policy.

Each season, the Midwest League collects fines from players and coaches who violate the On-Field Behavior Policy. Then the league distributes the fine money evenly to each member team, and asks them to give it to a deserving group or organization in their community.

“The Midwest League does a great job in turning a negative thing into a positive one,” said Bees General Manager Chuck Brockett. “The Make-A-Wish Foundation is such a wonderful organization that helps children through difficult times, and we felt they were very deserving of this donation.”

Since its creation in 1987, the Iowa Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 2,500 wishes to children ages 2 ½ to 18. Children who receive the wish have a life-threatening medical condition, but not always terminal. The wishes granted generally fall into four categories:
• Trips – Disney World, Hawaii, cruises, etc.
• Gifts – computers, hot tubs, room makeovers, etc.
• Occupational – be a train engineer or police officer for a day
• Meet celebrities

Revenues to pay for the wishes come from fund raising events, corporate contributions, foundation grants, individual contributions, memorials, and bequests. The average cost to complete a wish in Iowa is approximately $9,000.

The Iowa Chapter serves all 99 counties of the state, and consists of nine staff members and twelve volunteer area committees. There are currently nine dedicated Wish-Granting volunteers in the Southeast Iowa area. A Walk for Wishes fundraising event is scheduled for December 2nd at Westland Mall in West Burlington.

For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to become a volunteer, please log onto www.iowa.wish.org or call 1-800-797-WISH.

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

Midwest League Fines Benefit Caritas, Inc.

October 29, 2012

The Beloit Snappers have donated $420.00 to Caritas, Inc. as part of the Midwest League’s On-Field Behavior Policy.

Each season, the Midwest League asks its member teams to select a deserving group or organization in their respective community to receive a portion of the money collected from fines handed out as part of the league On-Field Behavior Policy. Past organizations selected have included Beloit Turner High School Baseball Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Beloit Memorial High School Baseball Program, Beloit Youth Hockey Association, Stateline Youth Sports Complex, Rock County Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA’s Partners of Youth Program.

“We are very excited to help Caritas,” stated Snappers General Manager Matt Bosen. “Though no one wants to condone negative behavior on the playing field, to be able to take the fine money and donate it to a program that will put food on so many families’ tables this Thanksgiving, it is a very rewarding program. Through the program, our players learn how to take a negative experience and learn from it. The lessons they learn benefit their personal development and the greater good of the community.”

This annual donation is just one of the many ways the Snappers and Midwest League Teams make efforts to give back to their communities. The Snappers are very involved in the Stateline Community, donating to hundreds of different causes each and every year.

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

RiverDogs volunteer with Fields to Families

October 27, 2012

Each month during the off-season, the Charleston RiverDogs close the office to complete one day of volunteer service with a local nonprofit organization. In October, the Charleston RiverDogs Front Office Staff spent their monthly Staff Volunteer Day with the nonprofit organization Fields to Families. Members of the staff gleaned vegetables from a local farm to donate to local food banks and soup kitchens.

“It was awesome to get out there and get our hands dirty,” says RiverDogs Director of Media Relations & Broadcasting Sean Houston. “It was rewarding, and fun, and I hope we get to do it again soon.”

Fields to Families is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2006, that helps the hungry in the Charleston community gain access to nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Fields to Families’ operates as a three step process. The organization depends greatly on local farms who generously offer unused fruits and vegetables to Fields to Families, which are then harvested by volunteers, like the RiverDogs staff. Those fruits and vegetables then make their way to Lowcountry organizations that feed the hungry, including food pantries, soup kitchens, Meals on Wheels, shelters and churches. It is these recipient agencies who complete the process and distribute the harvested foods to the hungry and needy.

The RiverDogs staff spends the day volunteering with Fields to Families.

Director of Media Relations, Sean Houston and Sales Representative, Annie Fuller.

Scrappers Receive HandsOn Volunteer Network Corporate Partner in Service Award

October 25, 2012

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers have been chosen to receive the HandsOn Volunteer Network Corporate Partner in Service Award. The award recognizes a corporation that has demonstrated a commitment to the Mahoning Valley by promoting corporate responsibility through financial resources and extensions of service opportunities to its employees. The Corporate Partner in Service Award recipient has had measurable impact on local organizations by a commitment to service through corporate engagement programs and the philosophy of giving back to the Mahoning Valley.

Scrappers General Manager Jordan Taylor states, “The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are honored to have been chosen as the 2012 recipient of the HandsOn Volunteer Network Corporate Partner in Service Award. One of the primary goals of the franchise is to play an active role in the community through donations and community involvement of our Front Office”.

HandsOn Volunteer Network awards will be presented during the HandsOn Volunteer Network Awards Celebration on Thursday, November 8, 2012 with a dinner and program at the Avalon Golf and Country Club, Squaw Creek, beginning at 5:30pm. Call the HOVN office at 330-782-5877 to make reservations. Tickets are $30 per person.

Season tickets for the 2013 Scrappers season are now on sale. Contact the front office at 330-505-0000 for more information.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Click here to view the original story.

Syracuse Chiefs help raise $1,600 to assist with pet overpopulation problem

October 17, 2012

Strikeouts by team’s bullpen lead to donation for SANS

For the fifth consecutive year Spay And Neuter Syracuse (SANS) has received a hefty check from Beaver Lake Animal Hospital, with help from the Syracuse Chiefs relief pitchers.

Earlier today at Alliance Bank Stadium, Dr. Sandra Fitzpatrick of Beaver Lake Animal Hospital presented a $1,600 check to Spay And Neuter Syracuse (SANS).

Prior to the 2008 season Dr. Fitzpatrick approached the Syracuse Chiefs with an idea to raise money to help stop the pet overpopulation problem in the area and to raise awareness that it does exist.

Dr. Fitzpatrick pledged to donate $10.00 for every strike out of the visiting team recorded by a Syracuse Chiefs relief pitcher at Alliance Bank Stadium that season and has continued the program every year since. The Chiefs bullpen tallied 160 home strikeouts during the 2012 campaign.

“It is my pleasure to have teamed with the Syracuse Chiefs relief pitchers again this season to help strike out the overpopulation of pets,” said Dr. Fitzpatrick. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity that the Syracuse Chiefs have provided to raise awareness for SANS and this very important topic.”

“The Syracuse Chiefs commend both Dr. Fitzpatrick and SANS for their efforts to make a positive impact on our community,” said Chiefs General Manager John Simone. “We are very pleased that this program has continued for five seasons and we look forward to being a part of it for many years to come.”

Monies raised will go directly to Spay and Neuter Syracuse (SANS), a low cost spay and neuter clinic located in Syracuse and the only one of its kind in Onondaga County. The clinic has spayed and neutered over 10,000 animals since its inception November 2005.

SANS is a volunteer based 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the pet overpopulation problem by spaying and neutering unowned cats and dogs and animals belonging to persons of low income. To donate to Spay And Neuter Syracuse, please call (315)422-7970. Visit their website at www.spayandneutersyracuse.com.

Beaver Lake Animal Hospital, a full service animal hospital, is located in Baldwinsville, New York. They can be reached by phone at (315)635-6241 or on the web at www.beaverlakeanimalhospital.net.

Syracuse SANS Donation — Scooch and Chiefs Assistant GM Mike Voutsinas helped Dr. Sandra Fitzpatrick of Beaver Lake Animal Hospital present a check to Christine Berry, President of SANS.

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

Sandersville Elementary celebrates ‘Hit the Books’ win

October 12, 2012

Sandersville Elementary School students held a celebration Friday after winning the Lexington Legends/Chick-fil-A “Hit the Books” Reading Program contest for 2012.

In “Hit the Books,” a baseball diamond is used to record credit for a student’s reading. For every book a student reads, a teacher places his or her initials on a base. When the student has all three bases and home plate initialed by the teacher, the student may bring a “Hit the Books” bookmark to the Legends’ box office at Whitaker Bank Ballpark to exchange it for two tickets.

The 2012 season was the 12th for Legends baseball, and also marked the 12th year that the Legends have been associated with the “Hit the Books” program. About 125,000 central Kentucky students have participated.

During the 2012 season, Sandersville Elementary students redeemed 260 bookmarks – more than any other school. All 800 students and faculty were rewarded with a free chicken nugget party, with the Legends’ Big L and the Chick-fil-A cow serving as hosts.

“Hit the Books reading incentive program is designed to encourage kids to read books in and away from school,” said Sarah Piester, the Legends’ director of community relations. “We believe the program generates a greater enjoyment of reading while tying it to baseball. We were thrilled with the number of students who participated overall and could not be more proud of Sandersville Elementary students for their accomplishment.”

Sandersville Elementary School students celebrated their win in the Lexington Legends/Chick-fil-A Hit the Books Reading Program with a chicken nuggets party Friday at the school. The Chick-fil-A cow and the Legends “Big L” served as hosts. (Photo: Lexington Legends – Sarah Piester)

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

RiverDogs Staff Raise Funds for American Heart Association

October 8, 2012

The Lowcountry Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s mission in action. This annual celebration promotes physical activity and heart healthy living in a fun, family and dog friendly environment. There is a Survivor Reception for Cardiovascular & Stroke survivors and their caregivers. More than 5000 walkers are anticipated to participate in this non competitive one or three mile walk event. As our signature fundraising event, the Lowcountry Heart Walk is raising critical dollars for the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission.

The Charleston RiverDogs front office staff started a Heart Walk team with a collective fundraising goal of $1,500. By the day of the Heart Walk, the RiverDogs staff were able to donate a total of $1,675 for the American Heart Association.

On September 29th, a police-estimated 5,200 people — men and women of all ages and ethnicities — gathered to celebrate survival, “miracles” and raised a projected $650,000 to help more fight the No. 1 killer of Americans, cardiovascular disease and defects. The walk also focuses on lifestyle change to improve heart health.

This year’s Heart Walk chairwoman, Anita Zucker, said the event helps highlight the Heart Association’s goal to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20 percent by 2020.

“To reach this goal, we must start in our communities across the nation,” urges Zucker. “Thank you for committing today to stand for positive change in our community. Today is the day we begin to walk more, eat better and live longer.”

Sales Representatives Annie Fuller and David Cullins and Director of Media Relations at the starting line of the 2012 Heart Walk

Virginia Eagle supports military families

October 4, 2012

The Pulaski Distributing company donates $1,000 to the Military Family Support Center

PULASKI, VA – The Pulaski Mariners are pleased to announce that Virginia Eagle Distributing has donated $1,000 to the Military Family Support Center of Salem, Virginia. Both organizations have partnered with the Mariners during the 2012 season.

The donation was a result of the Mariners Homerun Promotion, in which Virginia Eagle and Budweiser made a donation of $50 for each homerun hit by the Mariners at Calfee Park. The 2012 Mariners hit a combined 17 homeruns during the season to reach an $850 total, and Virginia Eagle donated an extra $150 for a grand total of $1,000.

The Military Family Support Center is located in Salem, Virginia, and focuses on the welfare and needs of military families of service men and women. They provide goods, information, and socialization for military families of active and reserved service men and women in the area. For more information on how to help, see the Military Family Support Center’s website at milfamily.org.

For any questions, please contact the ballpark at 540-980-1070 or email the Mariners at info@pulaskimariners.net.

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

Miracle Field Play Begins for Fall

October 3, 2012

The Braves Miracle Field of Rome kicks off its fall season beginning Saturday October 20th. The Rome Braves and Rome Floyd Parks & Recreation Authority are in need of volunteers for the season that runs through November 17.

The younger division will play each Saturday at 12:30pm and the older division will play at 1:30pm. A pre-season practice will be held on Saturday October 13th.

For those interested in playing, the registration fee which includes your uniform and end of season reward remains $50 per player. Scholarships are available.

If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Bryant with RFPRA at 706-234-0383 or Erin Elrod with the Rome Braves at 706-368-9388.

Click here to download a registration form now.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Rome Braves. Click here to view the original story.

Barons and Dale’s Team Up For Kid One Promotion

September 29, 2012

The Birmingham Barons and Dale’s Seasoning have partnered together for the past seven years to help with the essential transportation needs of local area children with their “Pitch One for Kid One” fund-raising promotion. With their donation of $9,000 in 2012, the Barons and Dale’s Seasoning have donated a total of $52,500 over the past seven years.

Kid One Transport is an innovative program that has served the children of Alabama for over fifteen years, while being the only nonprofit transportation provider of its kind in Alabama. Since its inception in 1997, they have provided more than 220,000 transports, which ensure that children receive the medical care they need. Kid One serves expectant mothers and children with a wide variety of health care needs ranging from routine medical checkups, dental screenings and mental/emotional health services, to critical, specialized care such as radiation, chemotherapy and dialysis.

“The Barons are proud of our continued partnership with Dale’s Seasoning to benefit Kid One Transport,” said Jonathan Nelson, General Manager of the Birmingham Barons. “We feel it’s very important to give back to the community and the “Pitch One for Kid One” promotion raises essential funds for an extremely important cause. Reaching the $50,000 milestone this season was a tremendous achievement and we look forward to continued success in the future.”

Alan Seigel, Vice President of Dale’s Sauces, Inc. said, “Our Dale’s corporate family is proud to be able to help these children and families get transportation to medical appointments, therapies and treatments. Kid One Transport and their entire staff have inspired, motivated and helped us to organize this event over the years. Of course, we also want to give special thanks to the Barons’ fans for all of their very generous support. It’s a wonderful example of families helping families in need.”