BooClaws Spooktacular Comes to FirstEnergy Park on October 30th

 

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – Get ready for a spooky night out with the family and celebrate Halloween with the BlueClaws on Friday, October 30th. The first BooClaws Spooktacular, presented by RWJBarnabas Health, NJR Home Services and the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore comes to FirstEnergy Park with gates opening at 6:00 pm.

The team will screen Hocus Pocus on the 1,857 square-foot video board beginning at 7:00 pm.

Additionally, the night includes a costume parade for kids, and fun, safe, and low-contact trick-or-treating with food provided by Bimbo Bakeries featuring Takis and Entenmann’s, plus additional candy from Hershey’s.

TICKET INFORMATION – Tickets are just $10 and includes popcorn plus soda or water. CLICK HERE to order online.

Due to current state regulations regarding outdoor gatherings, only 450 tickets will be sold.

“This is certainly a unique Halloween around the Shore, but the BlueClaws are excited to help do what we can to provide a fun and safe option for families,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti. “We look forward to a spooky, fun, and safe Halloween!”

Everyone is encouraged to come dressed up. Fans are permitted to bring lawn chairs or blankets to watch the movie from the field.

All kids will automatically be signed up for Home Run Membership in the BlueClaws Kids Club, and five random kids will win a 5-Game BlueClaws Mini Plan for the 2021 season.

Masks are required when moving about the ballpark, while in line for entrance or food, while in the restrooms, or in the team store. Groups must be seated in a socially-distant manner, at least 6-feet from other groups. Fans are permitted to sit either in the stands or on the field. Click here for a rundown of BlueClaws safety and sanitation procedures.

This event has a rain date of Sunday, November 1st.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment.

-BlueClaws-

LumberKings to Help Victory Center Serve Meals

 

(Clinton, IA) – Monday, November 23rd the LumberKings will be assisting the Victory Center in a Thanksgiving meal drive-thru for the the hungry and needy families. In a similar fashion to the Curbside Concessions, families who have ordered meals through the Victory Center will drive up by the home clubhouse on 6th Avenue North for pick up.

We are excited to partner with the Victory Center and be able to help provide meals to those less fortunate, especially during these unprecedented times. To view the official statement from the Victory Center, please click here.

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: FosterAdopt Connect/Sammy’s Window

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In the foster parenting community, there’s one struggle experienced more than any other: Support during the difficult times of caring for kids who have experienced abuse and neglect. A foster parent–or any person or parent–would be hard pressed to find a more difficult time to care for children than the COVID-19 pandemic.

All it takes is a visit to the Sammy’s Window corner of fosteradopt.org, the online home of FosterAdopt Connect, to find out how real that struggle is. And according to FosterAdopt and Sammy’s Window, the challenges of a foster parent carry an even greater burden in Missouri, which provides the 49th lowest stipend to foster parents in all of the United States. That lack of support makes it even more difficult for foster parents in the Springfield area and throughout the state and increases barriers for taking in children who need a home.

Click here to view all of our Non-Profit Heroes award winners, presented by American National Insurance.

In 2008, Mark Hay of Sammy’s Window sought to help that problem. Mark founded Sammy’s Window in honor of his father, Sammy, who grew up in foster care in Fair Grove. Mark’s goal with Sammy’s Window? Find out what foster families need, and find a way to get it to them.

Twelve years later, Sammy’s Window is now a part of FosterAdopt Connect–a non-profit whose mission is to provide foster and adoptive children a stable, loving and nurturing family environment.

“Kids who have experienced abuse and neglect are essential and deserve our community’s full support,” FosterAdopt Connect Executive Director-SWMO Allison Gregory said. “COVID-19 was a curveball for all of us, but FosterAdopt Connect’s years of innovative experience in serving foster kids and families prepared us to meet the unique and increased needs of this time. We’re so grateful for the generous SWMO community for coming alongside us as we continue to give high quality service to more kids and families than ever before all the while ensuring that kids can be safe, stable, and loved.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges facing foster parents drastically increased. But FosterAdopt Connect/Sammy’s Window responded. And that’s why they’re this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

Since April, they have provided drive-thru services for foster families, including partnering with organizations to provide area foster families with extra, much-needed boxes of produce and dairy products. Each week, the FosterAdopt Connect volunteers at Sammy’s Window mask-up and welcome foster families to receive supplies. On top of that, foster families who receive an “emergency placement” designation can call Mark with their needs, and Sammy’s Window will find them toys, hygiene supplies, clothing or whatever they may need to continue to care for their foster children.

“I’m not sure if anyone outside the the foster/adopt community knows this, but those of us who are helped by Mark are pretty sure that underneath that mask we’re really seeing Superman,” one Non-Profit Heroes nominator wrote.

Continued donations and support from the Springfield and Southwest Missouri community will allow more families to support foster children in our region. Items like clean clothing, shoes, new socks and underwear, hygiene products, formula, dry goods, new or like-new books, new toys, baby equipment and school supplies are among the most important products that people can donate to FosterAdopt Connect.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great.

To get involved with or to donate to FosterAdopt Connect, visit fosteradopt.org.

Click here for information directly related to FosterAdopt Connect’s Southwest Missouri location.

For more on what FosterAdopt Connect is doing on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/facswmo.

To get involved with the Sammy’s Window community, join them on Facebook by clicking here.

Timber Rattlers Introduce Fang’s Virtual Trick-or-Treat Parade for Charity

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have worked with Pick N’ Save, Fox Communities Credit Union, Scheels, and Fleet Farm to put together Fang’s Virtual Trick-or-Treat Parade for Charity. However, we need your help to make this parade happen and to raise money for Timber Rattlers Give Back.

Take a photo of your child or family in a Halloween costume and email the photo to Fang at his email address – [email protected] – before October 28. Make sure to include your child’s name, city, and costume with the photo.

We will put together a slideshow video of all the participants and premier it on our Facebook page at 6:30pm on Friday, October 30.

There is no entry fee, but we are asking for a voluntary donation to Timber Rattlers Give Back, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial support for charitable causes in the Fox Valley. To make a donation, users must sign up for an MiLB account at this link, sign up to donate to Timber Rattlers Give Back Inc.

Spend Halloween with the Hooks on October 31

 

CORPUS CHRISTI – Join us at Whataburger Field on Saturday, October 31 for the 7th annual Halloween with the Hooks, presented by H-E-B.

Trick or Treat from the socially-distant confines of your vehicle in the ballpark’s South Parking Lot from 1 to 4 p.m. Treats will be delivered from booth-to-booth directly to your car window. The drive-thru experience is free to the public. Guests are encouraged to donate to the Coastal Bend Food Bank.

“We want to thank H-E-B for their amazing support in keeping Halloween with the Hooks on the calendar,” Hooks Director of Business Development Maggie Freeborn said. “It’s been a challenging year in so many ways, and they have stepped up to the plate to provide a safe and alternative way for families to have fun and help out their neighbors.”

Last year’s Halloween with the Hooks garnered 1,002 pounds of donated food.

“As a result of the COVID-19 economic impact in our communities, the Coastal Bend Food Bank has seen a significant increase in demand for food,” CBFB Executive Director Bea Hanson said. “As the holidays approach, we will need extra help to make sure that families can celebrate, especially when times are tough. Every $1 donated helps to secure four meals for families in need.”

The festivities also feature a virtual Halloween costume contest. Participants are asked to submit their best photos by Sunday, October 25 via Facebook or Twitter (@cchooks). Entries can also be made by emailing Dan Reiner at [email protected].

Categories include Best Hooks Costume, Best Sports-Themed Costume, Scariest Costume, Cutest Costume and Best Pet Costume. The grand-prize winner will be announced on Halloween and will receive a $50 gift card to Hook, Line & Sinker.

H-E-B, Academy, CITGO, Clemtex, Corpus Christi Police Department, Dave & Busters, DGS Construction, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, First Command Financial Planning, Kiewit, Kleberg Bank, Muniz Electric, Pepsi, RBFCU, State Farm, Texas Bridge Credit Union, VALERO and Whataburger will join the Hooks in giving away treats.

To inquire about hosting a booth, contact Freeborn via email or by phone at 361-561-4676.

Pelicans Host Online Charity Bobblehead Challenge

 

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are teaming up with Carolina Cool, WPDE, and Gator 107.9 to feature the Adam Dellinger vs. Ed Piotrowski Charity Bobblehead Challenge. Fans will have the opportunity to pick a bobblehead of their choosing for a $20 charitable donation. Both bobbleheads will be available through the team website and online store beginning Tuesday, October 13 at 10am EST. Complete details as well as a link to the bobbleheads are available at myrtlebeachpelicans.com/bobbleheadchallenge.

Proceeds from the Adam bobblehead will benefit the family of Maddie McKnight and proceeds from the Ed bobblehead will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Salvation Army.

“The charity bobblehead challenge is certainly different than our traditional method of distributing bobbleheads,” stated Pelicans General Manager Ryan Moore. “But we’ve chosen this approach because we do not view this promotion as a giveaway but instead as a fundraiser designed to do the most good. We’re excited to be partnering with Adam and Ed and know that this wouldn’t be possible without their support.”

Maddie Mcknight was a young Seaside Elementary School Student who battled Rett Syndrome. Tragically, Maddie, a second grader at Seaside, lost her battle with the debilitating illness earlier this year. This rare, non-inherited genetic postnatal neurological disorder occurs primarily in girls and more rarely in boys. Rett syndrome leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life.

“I have the honor to be able to work with, and support several Grand Strand Charities. Many of these charities impact hundreds of folks, stated Adam Dellinger, host of the Gator Morning Show. “Sometimes though, it’s really great to be able to help one person or a single family. Maddie’s story hit close to home for me as the father of a young girl, and I’m thankful to be able to use the Charity Bobblehead Challenge to help her family during this unimaginably difficult time. Maddie’s family is hampered with medical expenses, and hopefully, through this fundraiser, we can work to ease their burden.”

The Salvation Army exists to meet human needs wherever, whenever, and however we can. Through programs that serve the mind, body, and soul, we alleviate the effects of poverty, then work to address root causes.

Every 34 minutes Make-A-Wish® grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a critical illness in the United States and its territories. They believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides them in everything they do and inspires them to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids they serve.

“During the pandemic, everyone is struggling,” stated Ed Piotrowski. “I chose the Salvation Army as one of the beneficiaries because of the incredible work they do in our community helping people get their basic needs met. The other half of the proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. No child should ever have to deal with a life-threatening medical condition. By fulfilling their wishes, I hope to take their minds off their illness and bring joy to their lives. More importantly, I hope it gives them the strength and courage to battle and beat their illness.”

Blue Wahoos Show Community Love Helping Residents, Agencies In Hurricane Recovery 

 

In the month that has passed since Hurricane Sally’s wrath, the Blue Wahoos have kept focused on community involvement.

It has involved front office staff members chopping trees and piling leaves. Bagging ice and hauling trash. Raking yards and fixing fences.

Barbecuing pork and dicing potatoes. Scooping vegetables and boxing meals. Crunching numbers and filing forms. Showing care and bringing grit.

One team, one community, one mission. All within a quest to help people and give boost to non-profit organizations.

“It has been extremely gratifying,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager and community relations coordinator, who has led and directed efforts among 20-plus co-workers to reach out and help with various projects since the Sept. 16 storm.

“One of the biggest things making this so special is that people typically see us as a baseball team or organization,” she said. “And that’s understandable. But they don’t see us in the realm of doing community service like this. And now, they have.

“So, I think what this has done is put us in front of new audiences, new places where we can help people and truly meet our mission statement to help improve the quality of life in our community.”

Last week, the Blue Wahoos were at the Brownsville Assembly of God Church helping Escambia County process grant applications for hurricane relief help with residents in the Brownsville community.

Since Sept. 21, the Blue Wahoos staff has combined to work more than 500 hours in a variety of community service efforts.

They were joined the first week by three members of the Mississippi Braves front office staff — Zach Evans, director of stadium operations, account executive Darius Green and office manager Christy Shaw.

The three M-Braves staff members stayed in the Blue Wahoos Airbnb at the stadium. During the day, they worked tirelessly with Blue Wahoos staff they met for the first time.

“They called us and said, ‘What can we do? What can we bring?’ They were such a big part of this effort, especially when it was the most labor intensive,” Striano said. “We’re grateful for the Mississippi Braves and traveling all this way to Pensacola to help.”

During that week, the Blue Wahoos group joined with Mercy Chefs – a national agency — to help prepare and serve meals to hundreds of people in the Brownsville community.

They helped clear debris from three University of West Florida managed museums and learning centers in the Pensacola Historic District.

They joined with the Salvation Army of Pensacola to help serve food.

They cleared massive amounts of debris from two homes of elderly season-ticket holders. One was the waterfront home of 91-year-old Vic Goeller and his wife, Diane.

“It was really gratifying to see everybody coming together during all of this,” said Striano, a native of Big Bear Lake, Calif. who joined the Blue Wahoos in 2017. “While everything is so crazy and everyone’s lives were kind of chaotic…. for everyone on our staff to take time to help… I think was very important.”

While helping aid the community, the Blue Wahoos staff stayed busy throughout the summer during an uncertain time in minor league baseball.

Since mid-March, back when spring training was halted during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the Blue Wahoos began to transition as if there would not be a minor league season.

That proved essential in a pivot to being an events-oriented company.

In April, Blue Wahoos co-owners Quint and Rishy Studer decided to keep all full-time staff employed. Most minor league teams suspended operations for the year and either furloughed or laid off their staffs.

The Blue Wahoos team began formulating ideas to start a variety of events, including the launch of the Airbnb clubhouse experience, along with delivering meals and reaching out to the community.

The mission magnified after Hurricane Sally struck Northwest Florida on Sept. 16.

“When we made the whole decision not to lay off anyone, we also knew we may not have a 2021 schedule for quite awhile,” Quint Studer said. “Without wrap-up of a season, without UWF football, we knew we were going to have staff availability.

“When we saw that, I kept thinking about two things. I thought about the Peace Corps, how young people use to go and do this marvelous work. And we also knew that with COVID-19, all these non-profit agencies were taking a beating and needed help.

“So both of those things played into how we would move ahead.”

The Peace Corps, established in 1961 by then-President John F. Kennedy, has now grown with Americans helping people in 141 different countries.

“I sort had this idea for a little bit of a Peace Corps feeling, because of learning how people used to return so enriched from what they accomplished,” Studer said. “I felt like we have this talented group of people on our staff and we really don’t have much for them to do right now.

“We know our from our Early Learning, our Early Brain Development initiatives that people are not able to give like they used to… philanthropy wise. So we can help.”

In an effort that followed the weekend after Hurricane Sally struck, the Blue Wahoos spent hours each day as a team going to different parts of the community to help.

“I spoke with people who said they couldn’t have done it without us,” Striano said. “Getting everybody there to these places and getting the bigger stuff out of the way, so they could come back and get the smaller stuff. It made their lives a little bit easier.”

One of the biggest was preparing full course meals on two days with the Mercy Chefs organization. It was part of helping Mercy Chefs, a faith-based, non-profit, disaster relief organization, based in Portsmouth, Va., serve more than 20,000 meals during their six-day stay.

A team from Mercy Chefs traveled to Pensacola and set up temporary headquarters in the Brownsville Community Center parking lot where they prepared meals during the morning and served food at lunch.

The Blue Wahoos staff impressed by immediate jumping in to prepare food under direction of five chefs from the organization.

“It was amazing,” said Molly MacDonald, the volunteer director for Mercy Chefs. “You need the volunteers to make sure this can all happen. With just five people traveling here from our (Mercy Chefs) team, you can’t push out 1,000 meals at a time — like we have done — without volunteers like this.

“I’m impressed with the heart of this community. We had people here from Alabama, Panama City and Tallahassee joining with the local volunteers in Pensacola. People coming from all over and helping neighbors.”

The Blue Wahoos are continuing their community outreach through Thanksgiving week with non-profit agencies. The efforts occur during a period when Major League Baseball is deciding the direction and future for Minor League Baseball.

It’s uncertain when a 2021 schedule will be finalized or other operational matters. But the non-profit help is something that continues keeping the staff active.

“Many of these non-profits have been forced to downsize,” Quint Studer said. “And these non-profits do such great work in our community. My thought was, hey we can help them get over a hump by giving them talented staff.

“When you look at our staff, we have finance people, operations people, grounds people, sales people, technology people, media communications people… and so forth. In essence we have a whole company you can utilize. It could be for a day, could be for a month.

“I also feel like so much of our staff will be enriched. To see it happen like this, I definitely feel special about it.”

Drive Set to Host Two Marquee Community Events at Fluor Field

 

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Drive is pleased to announce two upcoming marquee community events at Fluor Field. A new event, the Green Monster Mash (October 17), and a community favorite, the Upstate Veterans Salute (November 8), will offer free, family fun and a chance for the Upstate to once come together at Fluor Field – our community’s ideal outdoor social distancing venue.

Named after Fluor Field’s iconic Green Monster in left field, the first-ever Green Monster Mash Fall Festival will offer trick-or-treating, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, Halloween and fall-themed arts and crafts and a screening of the movie “Goosebumps” (rated PG). Trick-or-treating and other activities will run from 3-5 p.m., with the movie starting at 5 p.m. Movie seating is available on the field and in stadium seats, so bring a blanket and prepare to get spooky. Admission to The Green Monster Mash is free, but reservations are required and must be staggered to ensure social distancing. Reserve your spot today by clicking here

For the 5th straight year, the Upstate Veterans Salute, founded originally by the Drive & long-time community partners Michelin, General Electric, & Prisma Health, honors & recognizes our community’s Veterans & active military heroes. This year’s event will feature emotional & powerful Military focused programming, Military vehicle displays at the stadium gates, an aerial flyover by the vintage Warbirds Flyover Team, and a concert by up-and-coming country artist Filmore. South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette will provide the keynote address, and the salute will conclude with a patriotic fireworks display. Gates open at 3 p.m., with Filmore set to begin at 4:30pm. Socially distanced seating will be available both in stadium seats as well as in first come, first served “pods” set up on the field itself. As always, admission to the Upstate Veterans Salute is free but a ticket reservation is required. Reserve your tickets today at UpstateSalute.com.

“Despite the challenges of the last 7 months, the Drive’s commitment to the Upstate community is stronger than ever & we’re excited to announce our upcoming Halloween & Veterans Day events”, said Drive Vice President of Marketing, Jeff Brown. “We’ve all missed out on a lot this year, so, with these events, the Drive is thrilled to bring back some of the joy and fun we are accustomed to providing our community each year. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy themselves in the safe and welcoming environment that is Fluor Field.”

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — With its origins dating all the way back to 1938, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield has enabled young people in our city to reach their full potential in a completely inclusive environment for over eight decades.

The club boasts five different locations throughout Springfield that offers a broad range of programs in the arts; character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; and sports, fitness and recreation.

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached our city, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield became a key local food distribution center, distributing over 40,000 meals to the Springfield community. They went on to create a phased opening to safely accommodate high-need families at their facilities. Today, they are serving Springfield Public Schools students five days a week while providing virtual learning support and after-school programming.

And that is why they’re this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

You can view all of our Non-Profit Heroes at springfieldcardinals.com/heroes.

“On March 18, we closed our doors. On March 19, we opened new ones,” Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield Brandy Harris said. “[COVID-19] has brought uncertainty and disruption to the communities we serve, but Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield’s top priority has not changed: the well-being and safety of the children and families we serve.’

“We have been a consistent, safe and stable place for many kids during these unstable times.”

That instability includes families who were suddenly unsure of how to balance work and life. With schools closed or operating on a limited schedule, many were suddenly facing challenges to which they didn’t have answers.

“I would have had to quit my job as a single parent [once school started if not for BGCS],” a Non-Profit Heroes nominator wrote. “They have offered my child tutoring, behavioral health and counseling during such a difficult time in our lives. They are always there when we need them.”

“They provided meals when all clubs and schools were closed,” another Non-Profit Heroes nominator wrote. “Then, within days of Springfield Public Schools announcing a two-day per week classroom option, they stepped up to offer care for kids and also help with their virtual learning. They have worked tirelessly during this pandemic to make sure kids and parents have all the resources they need, while also offering scholarships for families that need care but can’t afford it.”

A visit to the official website of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield (BGCS) is the quickest way to see how the organization has pivoted to the times we’re experiencing. The first tab on the home page reads “BGCS AT HOME.” It’s a portal to activities for all age groups and all aspects of life, from arts to STEM to emotional well-being to physical activity and more. It provides a schedule specifically built around the regulations that come with life during a pandemic. And it’s access to The Club Crate program–a reasonably priced club that includes an exclusive BGCS-created program curriculum, access to weekly custom ZOOM classes, weekly recognition and incentive-based activities, and access to additional at-home focused content.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great.

To get involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, visit bgclubspringfield.org.

For more on what BGCS is doing on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/bgclubspringfield.org.

Free food giveaway at PNG Field on October 13 and 20

 

CURVE, Pa. – The Altoona Curve and the Center for Independent Living of South Central PA are teaming up to help area residents in need with a drive-through food giveaway on Tuesday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 20.

The drive-through event will take place in the Peoples Natural Gas Field Tan Parking Lot from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., or until the food runs out. Each car will be given one box of produce, one box of dairy, one box of meats and one gallon of milk.

Cardinals Teacher of the Month: Maria San Paolo, Cassville Intermediate

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Cardinals and Missouri Lottery are proud to announce Maria San Paolo of Cassville Intermediate School as our September Teacher of the Month.

Maria spent her summer teaching in-person summer school and thinking of ways to make her classroom as safe as possible for her kids to return for the 2020-21 school year. Because her students sit four to a table, she had to think of a creative way to socially distance her students from one another.

To do so, she made dividers from curtain rods and clear shower curtains, which divided each table into four private sections for the safety and well-being of her students during COVID-19.

Today, she continues to prepare virtual lesson plans for her students just in case another “wellness break” occurs at her school. Maria has also taken time to prepare virtual learning for students who are currently and may in the future be quarantined due to exposure to the virus—a necessity in keeping them caught up with the rest of the class.

Maria lets nothing stand in the way of the safety and success of her students, and that’s why she’s this month’s Teacher of the Month, presented by Missouri Lottery.

To show gratitude for their important contributions to the Southwest Missouri community, Maria and each future Teacher of the Month will receive one 2021 Luxury Suite Rental with food and beverage for up to 18 people, one Ceremonial First Pitch, recognition on the Cardinals Video Board and 18 Cardinals Caps, all made possible by Missouri Lottery.

Created as a way to honor local-area educators from all grade levels, the Cardinals Teacher of the Month Award program, presented by Missouri Lottery, is an opportunity for the Southwest Missouri community to shine the spotlight on teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students during these challenging times.

One hundred percent of Missouri Lottery profits are earmarked for education. In fact, since Lottery began 34 years ago, it has generated more than $6.5 BILLION for the state and public education.

To nominate an October Teacher of the Month, you can visit springfieldcardinals.com/molotteryteachers today.

Soddies Saturday Spooktacular To Bring Halloween To Downtown Amarillo

 

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A Soddies’ “Saturday Spooktacular” outdoor family movie night presented by Sonic is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at HODGETOWN and is set to bring a socially-distanced and safe Halloween to downtown Amarillo. The event will feature the showing of Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” along with pre-movie, socially-distanced trick-or-treating around the concourse, adult, child and family costume contests, and more. Tickets for the event are limited and are on-sale now online at www.SodPoodles.com or HERE, over the phone, or in-person at the HODGETOWN box office.

Social distancing protocols will be in effect and enforced by HODGETOWN staff during the event and masks are required upon entry, exit and while moving about the stadium but can be removed while seated. Entrance to the event will be located at the left-field (north) gates, which open at 5 p.m., and the movie is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Additionally, only clear, plastic totes/bags and empty candy buckets/bags are allowed through the gates.

From five to 6:30 p.m., event attendees and families may participate in outdoor, socially-distanced trick-or-treating around the stadium concourse. Sponsors and partners from around the community will be safely distanced at individual tables for spaced groups to visit and grab pre-packaged goodie/candy bags. Additionally, there will be a costume contest held for best individual adult/child costume and best group/family costume. All costumes worn at the event must be family-friendly.

A variety of movie seating will be available for purchase, including on-field, reserved square spaces, hospitality suites, and individual bowl seats.

On-field, marked square spaces are available to reserve in four or eight-person capacity (limited quantity). Four-person squares (10’x10’) are $32 and eight-person (10’x20’) squares are $64. Blankets and pillows are acceptable to bring on to the field, but folding chairs are prohibited. Sod Poodles Blankets (54″x84″) can also be added to a reservation for $36 – various colors available and limited quantity available.

Private luxury suites, coterie (concourse) suites and dugout (field-level) suites for 10 people are also available for purchase as group hospitality options.

Group hospitality options offered for 10 people are a Tailgate Meal suite, which includes hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, cookies, and canned sodas, for $320, or a Movie-Night Snack suite, which includes a choice of 10 candy-item mix and match – Cotton Candy, M&M’s Peanuts, M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, and Skittles, 10 Drinks – Sierra Mist, Mt Dew, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Water, Bottomless Popcorn, and Bottomless Peanuts for $200.

Individual bowl seats are $8 per seat. A Family Movie Meal Pack is available for purchase which includes two candy choices, two buckets of popcorn, and four drinks for $25. Standard concessions will also be open for individual-item ordering.

The Sod Poodles team store will be open from 5 p.m. (gates open) until all guests have left the park.

Fans can purchase tickets now online at www.SodPoodles.com or HERE, by phone at 806-803-9547, or in-person at the HODGETOWN box office. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day of the event purchasing will be available but ticket availability is not guaranteed.

For more information on HODGETOWN’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan and protocols, click HERE.

EVENT INFORMATION & GUIDELINES SUMMARY:

· All Guests MUST wear a mask or face covering at all times while inside the stadium unless seated at assigned seat/pod.

· Social distancing protocols will be in effect and enforced by HODGETOWN staff.

· Only ONE entrance to the event will be located at the left-field (north) gates (across from City Hall building)

· Gates open at 5 p.m.

· Movie scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

· Outdoor, socially-distanced trick-or-treating will be open for event attendees from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

· ONLY clear, plastic totes/bags and EMPTY candy buckets/bags are allowed through the gates.

· Blankets and pillows are acceptable to bring on to the field, but folding chairs are prohibited.

· All costumes worn at the event MUST BE family-friendly.

· On-field, marked square spaces are available to reserve in four or eight-person capacity (limited quantity).

· Private luxury, upstairs suites, coterie (concourse) suites and dugout (field-level) suites for 10 people are available for purchase

· Guests can purchase tickets now online at www.SodPoodles.com, by phone at 806-803-9547, or in-person at the HODGETOWN box office.

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Utilities Employees Credit Union to Host Halloween for Baseballtown Dream League

 

Baseballtown Charities and the Reading Fightin Phils are excited to give members of the Baseballtown Dream League a safe opportunity to Trick-or-Treat this Halloween. The event will take place on the Savage 61 Dream League field thanks to Utilities Employees Credit Union.

On Saturday, October 31st people with special needs are invited to dress up in costume and participate in a Halloween event. From 12-2pm, they will have the opportunity to experience the holiday in a safe and friendly environment. It will be filled with lots of fun and candy! Social distancing guidelines will be followed.

“Baseballtown Charities is excited to present a Halloween event to engage members of the Dream League! This is a great opportunity to spend some time outdoors in a safe, community environment,” said Jenna Lawville, the Extra Events and Baseballtown Charities Manager.

The event caters towards people with special needs who could benefit from having a set up at a handicap accessible facility. It gives the Baseballtown Dream League the chance to experience a classic Trick-OR-Treating environment complete with candy galore.

Greg Cosgrove, the Marketing Manager of Utilities Employees Credit Union, notes the significance of participating in this event. “Our employees are very excited to be a part of this special event with the Reading Fightin Phils and the Dream League community. As a credit union, we whole-heartedly believe in living the credit union mantra of “people helping people” and volunteering in the communities we serve. This past year has been challenging for families, and we hope this event will give them a fun family outing they can enjoy together.”

Baseballtown Charities is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded to keep baseball alive in Reading so youngsters can benefit from the many life lessons the game teaches.

Baseballtown Charities’ Dream League is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Reading, Pa. that focuses on making dreams come true one pitch at a time. Since 2002, Baseballtown Charities has worked to build inclusive baseball diamonds as well as bonds between players, teammates and supportive communities.

The Savage 61 Dream Field is located at the Relevant Sports Complex, 2816 Old Pricetown Road, Temple, PA 19560.

Greenville Drive host civic-minded 'Day of Action'



After the 2020 Minor League season was officially canceled, the Greenville Drive began marketing themselves as their community’s “ideal social distancing venue.” The team’s home of Fluor Field has since played host to a diverse array of events. Nearly all areas of the ballpark, from the luxury suites to the picnic area to the concourse to the field, have been made available for use.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Drive hosted their most civic-minded event of the year. As part of South Carolina’s state-wide “Day of Action,” Fluor Field served as a one-stop location for a smorgasbord of government-provided services. The menu, such as it was, included voter registration, census completion, COVID-19 testing, flu vaccinations, and the opportunity to procure REAL ID drivers licenses and identification cards from the DMV. Additionally the Drive partnered with one of their sponsors, the Blood Connection, to host a ballpark blood drive.

Each of South Carolina’s 25 counties staged a Day of Action. The majority took place at schools, churches and community centers. Fluor Field, representing Greenville County, was the only professional sports venue to serve as a host site.

“It was a one-stop shop for all these different things,” said Drive general manager Eric Jarinko. “We opened our gates to five different organizations, all of whom brought their own employees or volunteers. It was perfect for people to go out and do all that they needed to do in one spot.”

The Drive, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, were asked to accommodate the event due to their previous interest in using Fluor Field as a polling site.

“We’re now seeing NBA arenas, a few NFL stadiums and a couple Major League ballparks all being used for that purpose,” said Jarinko. “We were thinking about the importance of voting, now more than ever. And at the same time, with COVID going on, this is a perfect venue. It’s outdoors and we can really space people out. … Unfortunately, even though we were still more than two months out, there just wasn’t enough time to get everything squared away. Just in terms of all the people you have to communicate with, that your polling location isn’t this elementary school or this church. Now it’s the ballpark. We thought it was a great idea, but the immediate impact of people going to a new place just didn’t seem doable.

“But that led to us being asked to be the Greenville County location for the South Carolina Day of Action,” he continued. “The Day of Action was spearheaded by the lieutenant governor [Pamela Evette]. She’s been to the ballpark many times for our Military Appreciation nights, among other things. Anything we can do to be part something like this, we’re for it. We think the ballpark should be part of the fabric of the community. [Fluor Field] is privately owned, but when it comes to things like that, we want to operate as a public service like if it was the city that owned it.”

State lieutenant governor Pamela Evette and Drive mascot Reedy Rip’It took part in Fluor Field’s Day of Action.

Fluor Field’s spaciousness has proven to be a big part of its event hosting appeal. The facility, which has the same dimensions as Fenway Park as well as its own Green Monster-style outfield wall, features a wide concourse that extends roughly from foul pole to foul pole.

“Obviously, with everything going on with COVID, we had to have an entry and exit plan for everyone,” said Jarinko. “We used the Main Street gate as a check-in location, checking people’s temps as they came in. The COVID testing station was just outside the gates. I don’t recall anyone going for COVID testing and then wanting to come in for other things. There was a temperature check at the gate. Everyone was in masks, and everything was spaced out on the concourse. Fans came in through third base and then went to whatever stations that they were there for and then exited other way. So we were able to maintain 6 feet of distance easily. The event went from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., so were able to utilize our sound system and get ‘College GameDay’ on the videoboard.”

The Drive promoted Greenville County’s Day of Action via their social media channels, with local and state government spreading the word as well. Jarinko estimated approximately 500 people attended the event, which was fairly easy to oversee from the perspective of the team’s front-office staff.

“A lot of our staff had been busy with other events, so I said it was more important for them to come in if they needed to get any of that stuff done,” said Jarinko. “Honestly, I hadn’t got my REAL ID yet. I helped the DMV set up and then had them knock out mine before we opened up the gates. It was all pretty turnkey. I was there at 8, setting up tables. The volunteers arrived at 8:30, then we were ready to go at 9.”

From a larger perspective, the Drive’s participation in South Carolina’s Day of Action illustrates how Minor League ballparks can be utilized as spaces that support public health and foster the democratic process.

“Since day one, we’ve wanted people to understand that the Drive and Fluor Field stood for more than Minor League Baseball,” said Jarinko. “We’ve been creative with how we use the ballpark, and moving forward, we want to do more things like this.”

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes **Ben’s Biz Blog**. Follow Ben on Twitter **@bensbiz**.


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Indianapolis Indians Charities Golf Outing Recap

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Thanks to a 32-team field, hole sponsors and generous donations from participants who purchased raffle tickets, cheat bags and played in the Tee Box Chipping Challenge, Indianapolis Indians Charities raised over $20,000 in its charity golf outing at Broadmoor Country Club. The success of the golf outing enables IIC to fulfill its annual mission of providing for the community by strengthening youth, family, neighborhood and educational development.

When the round concluded, three teams finished within a stroke of each other for the title. Ric Cabrera, Neal Johnson, Alicia Peck and Cheyne Reiter took home first place by shooting 18 under to hold off Craig Huls, Rodney Kuhl, Nick Venice and Joel Zawacki at 17 under. The champions rolled in 16 birdies, one eagle and one par. Team Zawacki earned second place over Adam Basinger, Evan Buckley and Joey Stevenson by way of a tiebreaker that was not settled until the eighth handicap hole. All individuals received gift certificates to the Broadmoor Country Club pro shop.

Five golfers secured closest to the pin and/or longest drive honors. Wes Bankert led the charge by winning the men’s longest drive on hole No. 9 and closest to the pin on No. 15. Alicia Peck’s best drive of the day came at an opportune time on No. 9 to win the women’s longest drive contest. Other closest to the pin winners were Travis Visley on No. 4, Jeremy Smith on No. 8 (a near hole-in-one, no less), and Randy Rennaker on No. 11.

Many golfers sunk at least one chip during the Tee Box Chipping Challenge on the 10th tee box, but Chad Bohm emerged victorious from the drawing to win a Yuengling cooler.

Thank you again for playing in the 2020 Indianapolis Indians Charities Golf Outing. IIC looks forward to welcoming all golfers back in 2021!