BlueClaws Charities Announces 2022 Grant Recipients

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – BlueClaws Charities, the official 501c3 organization of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, has announced grant recipients for their 2022 grant program. 40 organizations, all of which operate at the Jersey Shore, will use the grant money to help Jersey Shore-based programs and initiatives.

BlueClaws Charities raises money throughout the year in several ways, including the daily 50/50 raffle at BlueClaws games, special jersey and other miscellaneous auctions, the sale of mystery merchandise bags in the Claws Cove, and through other initiatives.

“We’re grateful to hand out grants to these 40 deserving organizations and are proud that all of the grants will directly benefit residents of Ocean & Monmouth counties,” said Jim McNamara, Executive Director of BlueClaws Charities.

“We’d also like to thank all of the fans and supporters that contributed to our fundraising throughout 2022 to make these grants possible,” McNamara added.

Below, find the 2022 grant recipients (alphabetical order).

21, Plus Inc. – for their Main Street Greens hydroponic farm, proceeds of which benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia – for their Care Services Program to provide for patients with ALS around the Jersey Shore.

American Cancer Society – for patient service programs that assist cancer patients in Ocean & Monmouth Counties including their Road to Recovery program which provides rides for patients to and from treatments.

American Littoral Society – to their Beach Grasses in Classes program, an initiative designed to engage students in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in ecological restoration and stewardship by planting and growing beach and marsh grasses.

Barnegat / Waretown Little League – to purchase uniforms and additional equipment for players in their Challenger Division.

Bridging The Gap for Veterans – for their Hometown Heroes program which recognizes and thanks a frontline worker for their service.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey – to help defray the costs of mandatory volunteer background checks. Volunteers provide a variety of tasks for the disabled and homebound elderly in the area.

Child Care Resources of Monmouth County – to purchase diapers and wipes for families in need in helping to address diaper insecurity in Monmouth County.

Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation – to support treatment and research initiatives of Children’s Specialized Hospital including new facilities opening in Toms River and Eatontown.

Community Options – to support the Cupid’s Chase 5K race that benefits adults with developmental disabilities in their program.

David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation – to provide financial assistance for families affected by a cancer diagnosis in Ocean & Monmouth Counties. This grant will provide a special holiday for two area families.

Easterseals New Jersey – to offset the cost of fuel to help transport adults with disabilities to social activities, concerts, fitness events, museums, and festivals.

Epilepsy Services of New Jersey – to support the 12th annual Paint the Pony Purple event at the Stone Pony, a family friendly day with live bands and activities in support of people affected by epilepsy and their loved ones.

Exit 82 Theatre Company – to provide programming including both their mainstage season of four musicals/plays and creative and performing arts academy productions of three junior musicals/one high school-college musical.

Family Promise of Southern Ocean County – to provide gift cards for new outfits and toiletries for families in need in addition to haircuts for parents and potential applicants for job interviews.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore – to support Innovation Station, an education program designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged girls so they can pursue STEAM in high education and throughout their careers.

Homes Now, Inc – to help construct and monitor quality housing, enhancing the lives of income-restricted families, veterans, individuals with special needs, seniors and women/children survivors of domestic violence.

Jake’s Got This – to help offset the cost of sending children with special needs to a week-long physical therapy program not covered by insurance.

Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America – to help underwrite the cost of Scouting for low to moderate programs that are run throughout Ocean County.

JP Party Dragon – for food that will be donated to local food pantries and people in need throughout Ocean County.

Kids Need More – to benefit their holidays program, an event for children and families in Ocean or Monmouth Counties that are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer or other life-threatening illness.

LADACIN Network – towards their Give and Take Child Care program, which offers early care and learning for children between the ages of six weeks and nine years old.

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund – to help funding Soldier Dogs for Dennis, which provides aDA approved service dogs to wounded warriors suffering from PTSD and/or TBI injuries.

Lunch Break – to purchase Chromebooks for their Alliance for Success students, a program that promotes youth development through constructive use of time, reinforcing emotional health, building self-esteem, and fostering a commitment to learning.

Ma Deuce Deuce (Ma22) – to provide presents to children of local veterans in Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity – to build and repair homes through their Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative that provide moderate to low-income homeowners critical repairs and ADA modifications.

Ocean County Family Support Organization – to offset the cost of their youth partnership camping trip in June of 2023 for youths in Ocean County with behavioral, emotional, developmental, and mental health challenges.

Ocean County YMCA – to support the Y for All Financial Assistance Program to ensure no one is turned away from the Y due to an inability to pay.

Ocean Partnership For Children – to further support groups created by the organization such as Your Authentic Self (for LGBTQ+ youth), Girls Empowerment Group, and Boys Empowerment Group Game Changers.

Ocean’s Harbor House – for general operating support providing shelter, programs, and services for homeless and vulnerable teens and young adults in Ocean & Monmouth Counties.

Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) – to support programs in Ocean & Monmouth Counties benefiting families that include children with autism and to allow these families to access recreation in the community in a safe and tolerant atmosphere.

Raising Hope for Others – to support and offset costs related to their sixth annual golf tournament that benefits Mary’s Place by the Sea, Cancer Institute of NJ, and the Lustgarten Foundation.

RJM Sports Group – to help fund scholarships given to students that graduate from the Jackson school system each year.

Seabrook Senior Living – to help make improvements to the library at their Tinton Falls senior living facility.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide – to support the Ocean County Youth Wellness Summit, a day-long event hosted by SPTS and designed to provide students, school administrators, and school staff with the necessary resources needed to encourage and support overall wellness, including the prevention of teen suicide.

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter – to support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their Supported Employment and Trial Work Experience programs.

The Mya Lin Terry Foundation – to provide financial and additional resources to pediatric cancer patients in the Jersey Shore community.

The TEARS Foundation, NJ Chapter – to install a cuddle cot, bassinet that is used when a family experiences the loss of their baby and placed into the room with the bereaved family, at Southern Ocean Medical Center.

The Village of Children & Families – to support local foster and adoptive families including through clothing drives, shoe drives, and diaper drives plus through Family Fun Days for adoptive families.

United Way of the Monmouth and Ocean Counties – to support their Warmest Wishes Coat Drive for local preschool, elementary, and middle school children in need.

BlueClaws Charities is the official 501c3 organization of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

BlueClaws Collecting Diapers at May 5th Game

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – The BlueClaws are partnering with Child Care Resources on a Diaper Drive at the 6:35 pm game on Thursday, May 5th.

Fans can drop off diapers at the ballpark that night at a trailer along the third base concourse behind Section 110. The diapers will then be distributed throughout the Jersey Shore by Child Care Resources.

“There is indeed a strong need for diapers around the Jersey Shore and we’re happy to help collect diapers and raise awareness for the need,” said Jim McNamara, executive director of BlueClaws Charities. “We’re fortunate enough to work with a great organization in Child Care Resources and help them with their year-round efforts.”

Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers, to remain clean, dry, and healthy. Unlike other basic needs such as food and heat, there are no government ‘safety net’ programs that help families obtain diapers. Kim Perrelli, Executive Director of Child Care Resources explains that providing diapers to a family in need can lead to outcomes like “an increase in parental happiness and a reduction in stress. It also helps with the ability to spend income on other basic needs.”

Click here to order tickets for the May 5th game.

May 5th is also a Thirsty Thursday, presented by 95.9 WRAT. Fans can enjoy $2 Coors & Coors Light cans both in the Sand Bar and ballpark wide. The Thirsty Thursday Club provides fans with 10 undated tickets. These can be used in any denomination. Click here for additional information on the Thirsty Thursday Club or call 732-901-7000 option 3.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

Team Rubicon and Alight with the St. Paul Saints and Two Men and a Truck to Host Donation Drive for Afghan Families

ST. PAUL, MN (January 27, 2022) –

WHAT: Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response nonprofit organization, and Minneapolis-based global humanitarian organization, Alight, will be hosting a donation drive for Afghan families who are transitioning off bases and into communities across Minneapolis and the surrounding area. As families move into homes, furniture, household goods, and other necessities are needed now more than ever. Team Rubicon and Alight are working with community partners to collect these items and help to set up homes and move in Afghan families.

The St. Paul Saints have generously offered the Plaza Entrance at CHS Field for the donation drive. The first 50 fans to make a donation will receive a voucher to redeem 2 free tickets to a select Saints home game in April.

In addition to assisting both organizations in moving Afghan families into homes, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK will be providing support and transportation to move all collected items to the warehouse. The first 100 fans to make a donation will receive a free coffee gift card from Two Men and a Truck.

WHO: Korey Schroeder, Sr. Associate of Operations and Resettlement Lead, Team Rubicon

Annie Nolte-Henning, Program Director for the Americas, Alight

Sean Aronson, VP of Broadcasting & Media Relations, St. Paul Saints

Sally Flinck, Director of Marketing and Communications, Two Men and a Truck

WHEN: Saturday, February 5 from 10am-1pm

**Interviews are available ahead of drive

WHERE: CHS Field- Plaza Entrance (between 5th and 6th St)

360 N Broadway St

St. Paul, MN 55101

Drive-up donations are requested from Wall Street turning East on 5th Street (towards CHS Field) and North on Broadway between 5th and 6th Streets. All community members, please stay in your vehicles as volunteers will greet you and help you remove items from your vehicles on Broadway between 5th and 6th Street.

LIST OF ITEMS REQUESTED

· Couch/Sofa (new)

· Pillows (new)

· Bedding (new)

· Mattress – twin and full (new)

· Comforter set, twin & full (new)

· Bath towel set (new)

· Car seats (new)

· Pressure cooker

· Tea pots

· Coffee carafe

· Dresser

· Pots & pans

· Toys

· Diapers (all sizes)

**All donated items should be new

**Due to warehouse space limitations, only items on the list will be accepted.

RSVP & INTERVIEW REQUESTS:

Joy Moh | **joy.moh@teamrubiconusa.org** | 626-552-6558

Chris Kindler | **ChrisK@WeAreAlight.org** | 651-428-5955

*About Team Rubicon *

Team Rubicon serves communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service by leveraging their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to almost 150,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 800 operations both domestically and internationally. Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, Team Rubicon has not only pivoted to be able to continue to deliver disaster response and rebuild services in core mission areas but has also expanded their scope of missions to meet community needs brought about by COVID. Visit www.teamrubiconusa.org for more information.

To donate to the Afghan families as they transition into communities, please visit the Amazon wishlists which is being updated daily to meet the needs of the families or visit https://teamrubiconusa.org/resettlement for more information.

ABOUT ALIGHT

Based in Minnesota since 1978, Alight is an international humanitarian organization, working to create conditions for refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, trafficked and displaced people to build full, meaningful lives. Providing health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 3.5 million people in over 20 countries each year. Alight believes in the incredible creativity, potential and ingenuity of the displaced and works to shine a light on their humanity, the tremendous amount of good that’s already happening and the possibilities to do more. In 2020, Alight received the prestigious 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the tenth consecutive year, celebrating a decade of impactful work.

BlueClaws Charities Announces Grant Recipients

 

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – BlueClaws Charities announced a list of 31 organizations that received a grant from the organization.

BlueClaws Charities, the official non-profit organization of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, raises money throughout the year as part of a series of initiatives. These include a 50/50 raffle at BlueClaws home games, specialty fundraising events like the team’s Virtual Hot Stove held this year in March, merchandise sales, and more.

Grant money will once again be kept within Ocean & Monmouth Counties.

“We are delighted to once again distribute grants to these deserving non-profit organizations in our communities,” said BlueClaws Charities President Kevin Fenstermacher. “Our mission is to help those less fortunate around the Jersey Shore, and these grants to 31 unique organizations will benefit those in need.”

Below, find a list of organizations to receive a grant (organizations are listed alphabetically):

  • ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, to subsidize their care services program for families of patients diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in Monmouth & Ocean Counties.
  • A Need We Feed, to provide meals to veterans, seniors, elementary school children, and families in Ocean County.
  • The Arc, Ocean County Chapter, to offer fitness classes twice a week for program participants.
  • The Ashley Lauren Foundation, to provide financial assistance to families with children diagnosed with cancer.
  • The Brodie Fund, for financial assistance to families that have a pet diagnosed with cancer.
  • Brody’s Crew, to purchase drawstring bags with items like stress balls, sanitizer, glow sticks, silly string, and more, in honor of what would have been Brody’s 6th birthday, to support inpatient families at CHOP.
  • Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, to help onboard new volunteers for the organization, which provides supportive services to people who are 60 and older and can no longer drive.
  • Child Care Resources, to support their Diaper Bank, providing diapers and wipes to individuals and organizations in Monmouth County.
  • David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, to provide financial assistance, wellness services, and hope to Jersey Shore families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
  • Easterseals New Jersey, to ensure continuation of employment services programs featuring skills evaluation, resume building and interview skills to help place participants into jobs within the local community.
  • Exit 82 Theatre Company, to help purchase a new refrigerator for concessions at performances.
  • Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, to provide emergency shelter to homeless children and their families throughout Ocean County.
  • Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, to purchase chairs needed for their Program Activity Center in Farmingdale, which supports Girl Scout fundraisers and girl programs throughout the year.
  • Homes Now, to assist the nearly 250 individuals and families who reside in Homes Now housing units with food items, cleaning supplies, activities, and more.
  • Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America, to offset the costs related to Scouting, such as registration fees, uniforms, and program fees, for families at the Jersey Shore.
  • JF Party Dragon, to purchase food for local food pantries
  • Kids Need More, for an event to support children under 18 and their families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
  • LADACIN Network, to support their Give and Take Child Care Center in Monmouth County, which provides services for children with complex physical and developmental disabilities or delays and typically developing children.
  • Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund, towards the sponsorship of a service dog.
  • Ma Deuce Deuce, to support a Audrey’s Toy Chest, an initiative to ensure Christmas occurs for local veteran families in need.
  • The Mya Lin Terry Foundation, for siblings of those with pediatric cancer.
  • Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, for a home repair project to help subsidize the increased costs incurred after the pandemic.
  • Ocean County Family Support Organization, to support their youth partnership, made up of youth between 12-21 living in Ocean County with behavioral, emotional, mental health, and developmental challenges.
  • Ocean County Shrine Club, to support the 20 pediatric patients of Philadelphia Shriners’ Hospital for Children based in Ocean & Monmouth Counties.
  • Ocean Partnership for Children, to support the needs of the youth served, including food, clothing, and community activities.
  • Ocean’s Harbor House, to provide shelter, support, and services for vulnerable youth including at their 12-bed shelter.
  • Parents of Autistic Children (POAC), to support their Challenger Sports League to offer a socialization opportunity through athletic participation between disabled students and their non-disabled peers.
  • Raising Hope for Others, to support their annual golf outing held in August of 2022.
  • Seabrook Village, to provide books and magazines for residents at their senior living community.
  • Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, to distribute 200 behavioral health toolkits to students attending Monmouth/Ocean County schools.
  • The Salvation Army, to support their Hearty Helpings, which serves the hungry at their Toms River, with the purchase of additional cookware and containers.
  • Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund, to provide financial aid to first responders, their spouse, and children struggling with finances due to medical burdens from sickness or injury.
  • United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, to support an annual coat drive for local pre-school to middle-school aged children.

“We are very grateful to those that supported BlueClaws Charities throughout the year and look forward to additional fundraising events soon,” said Fenstermacher.

BlueClaws Charities is the official 501c3 organization of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

-BlueClaws Charities-

Storm Chasers and Union Omaha Announce Hurricane Ida Relief Drive

 

The Omaha Storm Chasers and Union Omaha announced today the launch of the Hurricane Ida Relief Drive which will collect essential items to be distributed to those affected by Hurricane Ida. The drive is set to begin on Saturday, September 11 at the Union Omaha soccer match at Werner Park and concludes following the Storm Chasers home game on September 19.

The Storm Chasers and Union Omaha have partnered with NRG Media and Werner Enterprises to help spread the word and get the donated items transported to High Voltage, a New Orleans based non-profit providing programs and support to the local New Orleans area. All items can be donated at Werner Park during designated drop off windows:

Sat., Sept. 11 – 4-7:30pm, Union Omaha game

Tues., Sept. 14 – 5:30-7:30pm, Omaha Storm Chasers game

Wed., Sept. 15 – 5:30-7:30pm, Omaha Storm Chasers game

Thurs., Sept. 16 – 5:30-7:30pm, Omaha Storm Chasers game

Fri., Sept. 17 – 5:30-7:30pm, Omaha Storm Chasers game

Sat., Sept. 18 – 4-7:30pm, Omaha Storm Chasers game

Sun., Sept. 19 – 11:30am-1:30pm, Omaha Storm Chasers game

Below is a list of recommended items to be donated:

Baby Diapers Adult Diapers Wipes Hand Sanitizer

Toilet Paper Toiletries Dish Soap Paper Towels

Zip-lock Bags Manual Can Openers First Aid Kits Bug Spray

Roofing Nails w/Tabs Roofing Nails Shingles Tar Paper

Screws Lumber 5-gal Buckets Tarps

Batteries Flashlights Work Gloves Brooms

Push Brooms Dust Pans Disposable Plates & Utensils

Non-perishable Food Heavy Duty Garbage Bags

Tickets are not required to make a donation of items to the drive.

Sounds Donate $10,000 and Supplies to Aid in Flood Recovery Efforts 

 

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club, on behalf of owners Frank Ward and Masahiro Honzawa, has announced a donation of $10,000 to the Humphreys County Relief Fund to assist in the Humphreys County and Midstate flood recovery efforts.

In addition to the monetary donation made by the Sounds, the Nashville Sounds Foundation is currently accepting donations to via Venmo at @NashvilleSoundsFoundation. All funds raised via Venmo will also be donated to the Humphreys County Relief Fund. The Sounds will also be donating all dog ticket money ($5 per ticket) from the July 27 Tito’s Tail Waggin’ Tuesday game to the Humphreys County Humane Society.

“The loss of life and devastation from the recent flooding is tragic,” said Sounds co-owner Frank Ward. “The Midstate area has been through a great deal of unfortunate events over the last 18 months and the Nashville Sounds Baseball Club will continue to assist in every way possible. Aside from a monetary donation, rest assured our incredible front office will lend helping hands over the coming weeks and months.”

The Sounds are providing multiple ways for fans to donate necessary items to those in need. The team accepted donations throughout the recent homestand and will continue to do so until Friday, September 3. Fans can bring items such as diapers, paper towels, batteries, towels, baby formula, etc. to the Club and Suite entrance at First Horizon Park. All items donated will be dropped off at McEwen High School. Additionally, the Nashville Sounds Foundation has set up an Amazon Wish List here for those unavailable to drop off items at the ballpark.

Over the coming weeks and months, the Nashville Sounds Front Office will volunteer their time and assist in the recovery efforts in Humphreys County and the surrounding areas. Led by award-winning Head Groundskeeper Thomas Trotter, the Sounds’ grounds crew will assist in the rebuilding of numerous baseball fields in the area. Schools/fields in the affected area that need assistance should send an e-mail to [email protected].

The mission of the Nashville Sounds Foundation is to utilize baseball to positively impact communities throughout Middle Tennessee by emphasizing the importance of social responsibility, education, and the power of sports to transform lives.

The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play at First Horizon Park. Single-game tickets are on sale now for all remaining 2021 home games. For more information call 615-690-4487 or e-mail [email protected].

Missions and Circle K Announce Partnership with San Antonio Food Bank

 

Will Host Five Food Drives During 2021 Season

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions baseball club and Circle K are partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank to host food drives at Nelson Wolff Stadium this summer to provide aid to the San Antonio community hit so hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.

There will be five different Circle K and San Antonio Missions food drives being held at Nelson Wolff Stadium with five different themes.

The first food drive will occur on Friday, June 18th. The theme will be “Most Important Meal” food drive. Featured items for this drive include breakfast items like cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, boxed juices, and cereal bars.

The second food drive will occur on Saturday, July 10th. The theme will be “Summer Staples” food drive. Featured items for this drive include Hamburger Helper, canned meats, rice and beans, and soups.

The third food drive will occur on Saturday, August 7th. The theme will be “Dog Days” food drive. Featured items for this drive will be pet food items and treats for dogs and cats.

The fourth food drive will occur on Thursday, August 26th. The theme will be “Back to School Lunch Box” food drive. Featured items for this drive include peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, Manwich, and boxed crackers.

The fifth food drive will occur on Saturday, September 18th. The theme for this drive will be “Oh Baby It’s A Food Drive.” Featured items for this drive include baby food, diapers, and wipes.

For each food drive, there will be a red San Antonio Food Bank donation bins at Nelson Wolff Stadium. The Missions will be offering reserved seat tickets to a future Missions game for all donations.

Prior to the start of the pandemic, the San Antonio Food Bank was serving approximately 58,000 people per week in our 16 county service area. Due to the economic fall out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are now serving 125,000 people per week. More than 1 in 4 children in San Antonio is at risk for hunger and 45,000 military members have received food assistance since the start of the pandemic. Today our community’s need is more than double what it was in February 2020. At the same time, our capacity to host volunteers has been cut in half from 1,000 per week to 500 per week, in order to allow for social distancing in our shifts.

The need for food, volunteers and cash donations has never been greater than this past year, but the San Antonio community has continued to rally together to support one another. Every $1 gifted to San Antonio Food Bank provides 7 meals to families facing hunger! On behalf of our staff and the many families we serve—thank you so much for your generous contributions. Our mission simply wouldn’t be possible with you. Please visit safoodbank.org for more information.

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.

DROP OFF NASHVILLE RELIEF DONATIONS AT MEMORIAL PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

 

JOHNSON CITY, TN – The Johnson City Cardinals are collecting donations to support the surrounding Nashville area during their tornado relief efforts. Memorial Park Community Center will be a drop off location for sealed and unused goods on Friday, March 6th and Monday, March 9th through Thursday, March 12th from 9 am – 4 pm.

Zack Clark, Johnson City’s General Manager commented, “We are keeping Nashville and the surrounding area in our thoughts as they start to recover. We want to show our support in any way we can.”

The Johnson City Cardinals will be accepting the following unused and sealed items:

  • Individually wrapped snacks
  • Toiletries
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Baby food
  • Baby wipes
  • Child and adult diapers
  • Paper towels
  • Work gloves
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash bags

ABOUT THE JOHNSON CITY CARDINALS
The Johnson City Cardinals are the Rookie affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Members of the ten-team Appalachian League, Cardinals baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 50 years. To learn more about the Johnson City Cardinals, visit www.jccardinals.com.

 

DROP OFF NASHVILLE RELIEF DONATIONS AT SMOKIES STADIUM

 

SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies work with the Nashville Sounds collecting donations to support the surrounding Nashville area during their tornado relief efforts. Smokies Stadium will be a drop off location for sealed and unused goods on Friday, March 6th and Monday, March 9th from 10 am – 4 pm.

Tim Volk, Tennessee Smokies General Manager commented, “Our thoughts go out to the Nashville community at this time. We are here to support in any way we can as they overcome this tragedy.”

All donations can be dropped off inside GoTeez Locker Room.
The Tennessee Smokies will be accepting the following unused and sealed items:

  • Individually wrapped snacks
  • Toiletries
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Baby food
  • Baby wipes
  • Child and adult diapers
  • Paper towels
  • Work gloves
  • Toilet paper
  • Gatorade
  • Trash bags

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Cougars Partner with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® to Help Moms in Need

 

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced that Northwestern Medicine Field will serve as a donation drop-off site this season as part of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Movers for Moms® program. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, May 9.

Thousands of mothers across the country are overlooked each Mother’s Day due to circumstances that force them to live in shelters as a result of domestic abuse or homelessness. That’s where TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® steps in to ensure that these women receive the love and appreciation they deserve for Mother’s Day. Donations collected through the Movers for Moms® program will be provided to women staying at Mutual Ground in Aurora, Ill.

Fans are encouraged to bring new, unopened donations of essential care items including body spray, laundry detergent, athletic shoes, utensils, drinking glasses, diapers and baby wipes.

Click here for a full list of much-needed items.

A donation bin is located inside the atrium of the Cougars front office at Northwestern Medicine Field for fans that would like to drop off donations during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Representatives from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will also be on hand during the game on May 9 to collect donations.

For every two items donated to the Movers for Mom® program, fans will receive one (1) undated reserved seat ticket voucher valid for a 2019 regular season Cougars game. There is a maximum of 10 complimentary ticket vouchers per fan.

For more information about Movers for Moms®, visit twomenandatruck.com/moversformoms.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 173 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cardinals and Isabel’s House partner for Baby Supply Drive, $1 tickets

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Cardinals are excited to partner with Isabel’s House to host the 2018 Cardinals Baby Supply Drive.

Running right now through the Tuesday, May 29 game at Hammons Field, the Cardinals and Isabel’s House are seeking donations of the following items:

– Diapers (Sizes 2 & 4)
– Pull-Ups (Sizes 2T-5T)
– FUN Underwear (Toddler)
– Boxers/Boxer Briefs (7-13)*
– Kids socks (toddler – pre-teen)
– Kids toothbrushes
– Kids hairbrushes
– Enfamil Gentlease Formula (new/unopened)
– New toddler clothes (boys 2T-5/6)
– New pajamas (2T-5/6)
– Kites, bubbles, chalk

*No white underwear/”tighty-whities”

All fans who donate may purchase a discounted $1 ticket to the May 29 game for each item donated! First Pitch on Tuesday, May 29 is 6:30pm with gates opening at 5:30pm.

Tuesday is also a Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day! The combination of helping your southwest Missouri community, $1 tickets to the Cardinals and $1 dogs may seem too good to be true, but it’s not!

All baby supply items donated through the Cardinals Baby Supply Drive will benefit Isabel’s House, where immediate refuge throughout the Ozarks is provided for children ages birth to 12 whose families are in crisis.

To donate, please bring your baby supply items to the Cardinals Front Office at Hammons Field, located at 955 E. Trafficway, or the Box Office. The Front Office is open from 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. For more information, call the Front Office at (417) 863-0395.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Partner with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® to Help Moms In Need

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced that Northwestern Medicine Field will serve as a donation drop-off site for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Movers for Moms® program through Friday, May 11.

Thousands of mothers across the country are overlooked each Mother’s Day due to circumstances that force them to live in shelters as a result of domestic abuse or homelessness. That’s where TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® steps in to ensure that these women receive the love and appreciation they deserve this Mother’s Day. Donations collected through the Movers for Moms® program will be provided to women staying Lazarus House in St. Charles, Ill.

Fans are encouraged to bring donations of the following essential care items: body spray, soaps, hair styling products, towels, make-up brushes, pajamas, large tote bags and umbrellas.

Click here for a full list of much-needed items.

A donation bin is located inside the atrium of the Cougars front office at Northwestern Medicine Field for fans that would like to drop off donation during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For every two items donated to the Movers for Mom® program, fans will receive one (1) undated reserved seat ticket voucher valid for a 2018 regular season Cougars game. There is a maximum of 10 complimentary ticket vouchers per fan. Donations will be accepted through Friday, May 11.

For more information about the Movers for Moms® program, visit twomenandatruck.com/moversformoms.

The 2018 season of Cougars baseball begins on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. against the Clinton LumberKings. For more information, including a full 2018 schedule, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 161 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

San Jose Giants Lending Support for Fire Victims

SAN JOSE, CA– The San Jose Giants have announced their plan to support victims affected by the catastrophic fires in Northern California. Wildfires began on Sunday, October 8 and, as of Friday morning, have tragically resulted in 31 confirmed deaths, hundreds of missing person reports, over 3,500 destroyed structures, 20,000 evacuations and more than 220,000 scorched acres. The devastation is being forged by nearly two dozen sizeable fires, stretching resources thin. The firestorm is currently one of the deadliest and most damaging in California state history.

“We are deeply saddened by the many tragedies caused by the devastating wildfires and understand that this national disaster is far from over” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “Our organization vows to provide and support relief efforts for the North Bay community during these incredibly difficult times.”

The San Jose Giants have designated Municipal Stadium as a drop-zone for supplies and will be taking a delivery truck north for those impacted by the fires on October 19. Specific items in need include: air mattresses, cots, pillows, blankets, phone chargers, dry and canned pet food, animal crates, food bowls, can openers, diapers, baby strollers, personal protection equipment (masks, latex gloves, etc.), duct tape, camp stoves, propane, water, non-perishable food items, baby food, personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes, soap, etc.), toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, Band-Aids, antibacterial, duffle bags, children’s books, coloring books and coloring supplies. The San Jose Giants will contribute water, clothing, hats and blankets amongst other needed items. The organization’s front office staff is currently collaborating with local organizations in determining a drop-off location.

The San Francisco Giants also teamed up with other Bay Area sports teams to support the fire relief efforts. The teams have established a You Caring site which donors can visit by Clicking Here. Individuals can also contribute via text by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Municipal Stadium’s Box Office is open to collect supplies from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday and 2:00 to 5:00 PM. For more information call 408.297.1435.

Shuckers to team up with Corpus Christi for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts

The Biloxi Shuckers front office staff is teaming up with the Corpus Christi Hooks to aid the Texas Coastal Bend residents in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts! Members of the front office staff will travel to Texas to help in the cleanup efforts and deliver much-needed supplies.

ITEMS NEEDED:
Water, diapers, animal food, bug spray, and toiletries are all in high demand. Fans can drop off items at the Biloxi Shuckers front office at MGM Park.

You can also provide a monetary donation via this LINK. 

Donations will be accepted after the week of September 18, as any donations dropped off after our trip will be donated to Hurricane Irma relief efforts in Florida.

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The Corpus Christi Hooks are meeting Texas Coastal Bend residents at their point-of-need by partnering with local and national charities in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The devastating Category 4 storm made landfall at Rockport, Texas, on Friday, August 25, 2017.    

Please help our efforts to get Texas Coastal Bend residents back on their feet. 

This relief initiative is vitally important to the Corpus Christi Hooks Baseball Club because so much of the affected region is in our area. For example, of 51 high school communities, approximately 40 percent were affected by Harvey, including those hardest hit: Rockport-Fulton, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Refugio, Woodsboro, Victoria, Port Lavaca, Flour Bluff, Sinton, Taft, Gregory-Portland, Beeville, and Odem.    

Fans from these towns and others have been instrumental in our success since the Hooks began play in 2005 and we want to use our platform to give back and make sure their needs are met during this time of great adversity.   

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.