Cancer Awareness

Kay Yow Cancer Fund to join Mudcats for “Strikeout Cancer Weekend”

April 27, 2015

ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and member of the historic Carolina League, are proud to announce the Kay Yow Cancer Fund as an official partner of the “Strikeout Cancer Weekend” event being held at Five County Stadium on May 15, 16 and 17 when the Mudcats play the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund will be the official charity for Friday’s May 15 game in Zebulon at 7:00 p.m. Fans wishing to attend the game and support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund can purchase specially priced tickets through the Mudcats front office. A portion of those ticket sales will be donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Contact Yogi Brewington or Aaron Freeman in the Mudcats front office for more information at (919) 269-2287.

Additionally, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will be on hand at Friday’s game (May 15) with an information booth available for fans. Representatives from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will also participate in pregame on field ceremonies.

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Mudcats also plan on honoring cancer survivors before the game with a unique on field ceremony. Fans hoping to participate, or wishing to nominate a friend or relative for participation in the ceremony should contact Mr. Brewington or Mr. Freeman at (919) 269-2287.

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization’s namesake Kay Yow, former North Carolina State University head women’s basketball coach.

Kay Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease. Before her death, she joined forces with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research to form the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.

For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.kayyow.com and follow them on social media @kayyowfund.

“Strikeout Cancer Weekend” at Five County stadium will take place May 15, 16 and 17 when the Mudcats play the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Mudcats players will wear specially designed jerseys for all three games in the series. Those game worn jerseys will then be made available to fans through a special auction.

All of the proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to local cancer-fighting charities including the “Kay Yow Cancer Fund,” the “Vs. Cancer Foundation” and “Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure.”

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 “Braves New World” season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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

4th Annual Paint the Park Purple Night is May 1st

April 27, 2015

The Lynchburg Hillcats are teaming up with Relay for Life of Lynchburg and the American Cancer Society on Friday, May 1st at 6:30pm for the 4th Annual Paint the Park Purple Night and T-Shirt Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans presented by Gastroenterology Associates of Central Virginia!

Gates will open at 5:30pm and general Admission Tickets for the game will be $11 with a portion of every ticket sold benefiting the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life of Lynchburg will be held on Friday, June 12, 2015 and is an overnight relay style walk-a-thon that raises money for the American Cancer Society, as well as honors cancer survivors and remembers those lost to cancer. Local participants have been able to sell tickets to Paint the Park Purple Night as a part of their fundraising for their relay team. Fans will also be able to participate in a 50/50 raffle during the game, proceeds of which will also benefit the American Cancer Society.

Approximately 1,596,000 people were diagnosed with some form of cancer in the United States last year and it is estimated that over 41,000 new cancer cases will be reported in 2013 for the state of Virginia alone. The American Cancer Society raises funds worldwide for research programs to find cures for all forms of cancer, and helps those diagnosed to find treatments and support. Visit www.cancer.org to learn more about staying healthy and preventing cancer, as well as ways to donate or volunteer.

The Hillcats thank the following Paint the Park Purple sponsors: Gastroenterology Associates of Central VA (Title Sponsor); Brownstone Properties; Cintas; Courtyard by Marriott; Mortgage Atlantic; W.E.M. Masonry; Westover Dairy; Yellow Sub; 105.5 KD Country; 93.7 & 106.9 KHF; and WIQO/ESPN Radio.

To purchase tickets for the Paint the Park Purple Night, fans can call the box office at (434) 528-1144 or go online. Ticket purchases can also be made in person at the Lynchburg City Stadium Ticket Office (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

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

Team Salvatore Fight Like A Kid Night

April 27, 2015

Friday, May 1st. Gates open at 6:00pm for the 7:00pm game.

Salvatore is three years old. He loves cars & playing with his friends. He wants to become a firefighter when he grows up. He is a new big brother and loves his little sister very much. Salvatore was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and has been fighting hard to beat the disease.

To help support his family in this difficult time, the Tampa Yankees are donating 100% of the ticket proceeds from the Friday, May 1st home game to Salvatore’s family. There will also be a raffle with Tampa Yankees autographed items on the concourse. Raffle proceeds will also go to Salvatore’s family.

Salvatore’s family & doctor are planning to bring him for that evenings home game to meet the team and throw out the first pitch. The night will have several other surprises for Salvatore and his family.

Reserved tickets are $6 each and General Admission tickets are $4 each and can be purchased online through TicketMaster, tybaseball.com or at the Steinbrenner Field Box Office. Please note that TicketMaster has dropped all additional fees for the May 1st home game if you purchase through them.

Fans can enjoy $10 all-you-can-eat chicken wings and half price drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) from 6-8:00pm on the Walgreens Deck.

Can’t make it to the game, but still want to make a donation? Here is a link to Salvatore’s GoFundMe Page: http://www.gofundme.com/ligi3k

No donation is too small and will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing you at Steinbrenner Field for Team Salvatore Fight Like A Kid Night.

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

Intimidators teaming up with JGCF in 2015

April 2, 2015

Wristband proceeds to go benefit Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and come with voucher for free Pepsi product at the ballpark

The Kannapolis Intimidators have teamed up with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation for the 2015 season to raise money at all 12 Friday home games at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. The Intimidators will be selling JGCF wristbands at the ballpark for $5, and each wristband comes with a voucher for a free Pepsi product at the concessions stand ($3 value).

The mission of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation is to support children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patients’ quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. In addition, the Foundation provides support to the Jeff Gordon’s Children’s Hospital in Concord, NC, which serves children in the community by providing a high level of primary and specialty care, regardless of their ability to pay.

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

Lather Up, then Batter Up With CCCN & The 51s

March 4, 2015

LasVegas51s_2015-03-04 — Photographer: Tom Donoghue

‘Lather Up, Then ‘Batter Up’ with Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) & The 51s

The Las Vegas 51^sprofessional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets and the 2013 & 2014 Pacific Conference Southern Division Champions, announced today they have teamed up with Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) to offer complimentary sunscreen at Cashman Field during the 2015 baseball season. The sunscreen will be available beginning with the Big League Weekend “day game” between the Chicago Cubs vs. Oakland A’s on Saturday, March 14 at 12:05 p.m. CCCN medical oncologist Dr. Paul Michael will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game.

Fans will be able to protect themselves from potentially harmful UV-A and UV-B rays by visiting one of two CCCN sunscreen kiosks on the main concourse at the ballpark. Additionally, skin-safety messages will be displayed on the videoboard and public address announcements will remind guests to stay proactive with skin protection. Cashman Field ushers will also have a supply of complimentary sunscreen available for fans, so they may conveniently reapply during the game.

“Awareness as well as a preventative approach are critical in preventing skin damage and potentially skin cancer,” said James Kilber, executive director of CCCN. “So many of our local families enjoy a trip out to Cashman Field each year. We hope everyone will take advantage of the free sunscreen and skin safety messages this season as they cheer on the 51^sto victory.”

The partnership offers complimentary SPF 30 sunscreen to the projected 300,000 plus fans that will visit Cashman Field throughout the summer. The 51^shave 11 day games scheduled at Cashman Field during its 2015 season.

“We are excited with the partnership with CCCN and it will provide the fans at the ballpark an opportunity to apply sunscreen during the matinee games at Cashman Field,” 51^sPresident/COO Don Logan said. “The awareness of skin cancer is very important and with the help of CCCN, it will provide a safer experience for both the players and fans this season.”

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Las Vegas 51s . Click here to view the original story.

Pinstripes in Pink

March 3, 2015

Donations Secure Loved One’s Name on Special Aug. 22 Jerseys

An annual tradition takes a twist. In 2015, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ (Triple-A/New York Yankees) Breast Cancer Awareness Game will sport special pink jerseys. And this year, fans can champion the fight or memory of a loved one by placing their names on the jerseys themselves.

With a $20 donation to Susan G. Komen® NEPA, a loved one’s name will appear as part of a pinstripe on the RailRiders’ Breast Cancer Awareness jerseys. The jerseys will be autographed and auctioned off to the highest bidder that same night, Aug. 22. Submissions for donations and names are due by Friday, May 29.

The night features a number of other activities in recognition of the cause. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a replica pink RailRiders jersey courtesy of PNC Bank. There will be a raffle for a RailRiders’ team-signed pink bat. Breast cancer survivors will receive complimentary tickets and everyone is encouraged to participate in a PNC Field Pink-Out by wearing pink to support the cause.

Entries for names should be sent to the RailRiders’ offices: 235 Montage Mountain Rd., Moosic, PA 18507. Cash or check will be accepted as payment for the $20 donation. Checks should be made payable to: Susan G. Komen® NEPA. Payment must be received before a name is printed. Entrants should include the first and last name to appear on the jersey. That name should be typed or printed legibly. The opportunity has a limited availability. CLICK HERE for an entry form PDF.

“Komen NEPA is excited to join the RailRiders for Breast Awareness Night at PNC Field,” said Dolly Woody, executive director of Susan G. Komen® NEPA. “The Komen NEPA Race for the Cure is celebrating 25 years of impact in the fight against breast cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Night is an opportunity to educate the public. We want women and men to, ‘Know your normal. Know your risks.’ Prevention and early detection are key pieces to ending breast cancer.”

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders . Click here to view the original story.

Legends’ donations top $715,000 for 2014

December 22, 2014

14-year total nears $13 million

Lexington Legends President/COO Andy Shea (at left) and LBX President/CEO Eric Sauvage (second from left) present a check to representatives of Kentucky Cancer Link, Susan G. Komen and the Markey Cancer Center for funds raised in the Legends' annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. The Legends make donations to a variety of organizations throughout the region. (Lexington Legends) — Lexington Legends President/COO Andy Shea (at left) and LBX President/CEO Eric Sauvage (second from left) present a check to representatives of Kentucky Cancer Link, Susan G. Komen and the Markey Cancer Center for funds raised in the Legends’ annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. The Legends make donations to a variety of organizations throughout the region. (Lexington Legends)

The Lexington Legends today announced donations for 2014 totaling $715,645 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving central Kentucky. The Ivy Walls Charitable Giving Foundation Fund at Bluegrass Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Legends and business sponsors, has presented checks to organization representatives throughout the month of November.

Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington-based organization that manages the operation of the Legends.

In its 14-year history, the Legends organization has donated close to $13 million to the region.

“There’s nothing more important to our organization than giving back to our community,” said Sarah Bosso, the Legends’ director of community relations and special events. “Each season, the Legends look forward to working with all of these amazing organizations and to developing new partnerships as well.”

“The Legends will always be active in the community,” added Legends President/COO Andy Shea. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to support these great organizations.”

Among organizations receiving funds in 2014 were:

–Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council: The Legends supported the Boy Scouts through their participation in the “Brave the Blue III” campaign, in which donations were raised by those who rappelled down the 30-story Financial Center building in downtown Lexington. The Legends’ Big L has been among the rappellers in all three years of the campaign.

-Breast Cancer Research and Awareness: The Legends held a Breast Cancer Awareness Night July 12. Funds raised through an auction of pink jerseys and pink bases used during the game, along with t-shirt sales, benefited Kentucky Pink Connection, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis and treatment; The Markey Cancer Center, established in 1983 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. The Legends and LBX held a dinner, with proceeds going to those same three breast cancer charities.

–Military Missions: The Legends’ Military Appreciation night June 14 included an auction of camouflage jerseys to benefit Military Missions, a local non-profit organization that supports troops in a variety of ways, including the sending of care packages.

–P.A.W.S. and the Lexington Humane Society: The Legends held five “Bark in the Park” nights during the 2014 season, on which dog owners were invited to bring their dogs to a Legends game. The “admission” price for dogs was a donation to the Paris Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.) and the Lexington Humane Society.

-St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Fund: At the end of every baseball season, the Legends hold a silent auction for the home jerseys worn during the season with proceeds going to the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program. About $4,000 was raised from the 2014 auction.

–United Way of the Bluegrass: The Legends and United Way are longtime partners on ticket donations to United Way donors, as listed below.

–Vs. Cancer: Legends President/COO Andy Shea and catcher Chad Johnson had their heads shaved following the Legends game August 15 as part of a Vs. Cancer fund-raiser and sign of solidarity with young cancer patients.

In-kind donations

The Legends also make substantial in-kind donations throughout the year to many groups and organizations, including a long-standing relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass. Donors to the annual United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game.

In the 2014 season, more than 84,000 box seat tickets were donated to various organizations and camps through the Legends’ partnership with United Way, along with Hit the Books, a Legends’ campaign to encourage Central Kentucky students to read. More than 300 donations were made through the Legends online donation request system at lexingtonlegends.com under the “Community” tab.

In addition, the Legends made more than 200 public appearances in 2014 with their mascots, Big L and Pee Wee, at schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other organizations.

Aramark, the Legends’ concession partner, made significant donations to school booster clubs, primarily for work done at concession stands during games.

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

San Jose Giants Release 2014 Community Report

December 4, 2014

Report showcases organization’s impact in the South Bay

The San Jose Giants released today their 2014 Community Report. The report is a complete detail of the organization’s community involvement and contributions. From expanding the team’s extensive fundraising efforts to a record number of mascot appearances and the organization’s rise from twenty-fifth in Minor League Baseball’s social media rankings to second overall, the San Jose Giants presence was felt well beyond the Municipal Stadium gates this year.

“I want to personally thank all of our fans and partners for your loyalty and passion for the San Jose Giants and our place in the community,” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “Through the organization’s extensive work with youth sports groups, schools and regional non-profit organizations, the team has introduced baseball to millions of homes in Northern California and this year alone raised over $480,000 for charitable causes.”

The 2014 Community Report showcases the variety of charitable efforts the San Jose Giants are involved with both inside and beyond the Municipal Stadium gates. Highlights of the report include over 150 appearances made by San Jose Giants personnel, unique, community-centered evening’s at Municipal Stadium, events in partnership with the Giants Community Fund to help under served youth and in-kind donations to more than 750 local and national organizations.

For more information on the San Jose Giants and how to get your organization involved next season, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

Read 2014 San Jose Giants Community Report

This article originally appeared on the official website of the San Jose Giants. Click here to view the original story.

BlueClaws Charities Makes Mark Through Community Grant Program

November 19, 2014

Awards grants to 34 non-profit organizations in 2014

BlueClaws Charities has completed its 6^th annual grant process. After analyzing the applications, BlueClaws Charities handed out grants to 34 Community Partner organizations in Monmouth & Ocean Counties.

BlueClaws Charities, a registered 501c3 organization, raises money at all 70 BlueClaws home games. A 50/50 raffle, special jersey auctions, and miscellaneous programs are used to raise money during games. The annual “Phillies Winter Banquet,” “ALS Celebrity Waiter Event,” “Bowling With the BlueClaws,” and the “BlueClaws Charities Nine & Dine Golf Outing” are additional fundraising initiatives conducted by BlueClaws Charities.

Each organization, also 501c3s, becomes eligible for a grant through a season-long partnership with the BlueClaws.

“This grant program is the culmination of the BlueClaws Charities year and we are very grateful to everyone that supports the organization in any way,” said BlueClaws Charities Executive Director Jim DeAngelis. “Without the support of the fans and donors, we would not be able to aid our magnificent Community Partner organizations.”

The following non-profit organizations received a cash grant from BlueClaws Charities (alphabetical order): ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross (Jersey Coast Chapter), Ashley Lauren Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County, Caregivers Volunteers of Central Jersey, Central Jersey Blood Center, David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, Enable Inc., Exit 82 Theatre Company, Family Options Adoptions, Family Resource Associates, First Tee of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Go 4 the Goal, LADACIN Network, Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund, Monmouth County SPCA, Mya Lin Terry Foundation, NJ TEARS, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, Ocean County Shriners Club, Ocean County YMCA, Ocean’s Harbor House, Raising Hope for Others, RJM Sports Group, Saint Vincent DePaul Society of Ocean County, Salvation Army of Ocean County, Susan G. Komen For the Cure of Central & South Jersey, Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund, United Way of Monmouth County, United Way of Ocean County.

All Community Partners that completed the grant application were rewarded with a grant. Each partner was asked to describe the program within their organization that would benefit from the grant, with the requirement that the grant be allocated to Ocean or Monmouth County.

BlueClaws Charities, in addition to the grant program, supports hundreds of non-profit organizations with gift package donations, golf outing hole-in-one sponsorships, and specialty organizations such as OCEAN, Inc., a federal program that assists the less fortunate in the community. The “Tickets for Kids Program,” another BlueClaws Charities initiative, donates over 2,000 tickets to underserved youths in Lakewood and elsewhere in Ocean County.

Organizations that would like to become Community Partners can call Jim DeAngelis at 732-901-7000 ext 114. Community Partners raise money through a BlueClaws fundraiser outing and have the opportunity to volunteer in the FirstEnergy Park concession stands to raise additional funds. These organizations also receive exposure through on-field presentations, table displays, and on BlueClaws.com, plus they have special opportunities to hold events, such as charity walks, at FirstEnergy Park.

The Lakewood BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in each year of their existence. 2015 will be their historic 15^th season of family fun.

Ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 3 or online at BlueClaws.com.

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

The 4th Annual Panera Bread Spook-a-thon “Dress Up to Scare Cancer”

October 25, 2014

THE FAMILY 4K CORNSTALK WALK

Dress up in costumes to walk and raise funds to help Connecticut cancer patients.

A fun-filled family and team event, sponsored by Panera Bread, hosted by the Connecticut Tigers at Dodd Stadium and supported by 97.7 WCTY and MetroCast…all to benefit the Backus Breast and Cancer Centers through the Connecticut Sports Foundation.

Make Halloween a SAFE, FUN and MEANINGFUL event for you, your family and friends!

Trick or Treat with us and enjoy free YUMMY food and beverage. Join in all the family fun with the music of live bands, haunted clubhouse and dugout, pie eating contest, batty cage, cookie and face decorating, and other fun activities.

COSTUME CONTEST

Prizes will be awarded in various categories to those who register for the contest.

Costume Contest PRIZES sponsored by MetroCast!!!

Spookiest Team Costume

Best Family Costume

Best Individual Costume

Most Creative Costume

Top Individual Fundraiser

Cutest Doggie Costume

Create your own Spook-a-thon Team and begin helping Connecticut cancer patients today!

Form a team with a minimum of four participants.

Each participant goal will be $125.00; team goal will be $500.00.

Join now, by clicking the REGISTER button.

OR…buy a ticket for just $5.00/per person on Saturday, October 25th

Enjoy this safe trick-or-treating event!!

For six simple fundraising tips, click on Event Information.

Post & share via your social media! Visit our Panera Bread Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/howleybreadgroup

DRESS UP TO SCARE CANCER VIDEO! click below

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

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is Saturday at Fifth Third Field

October 14, 2014

The 2014 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 18 starting at 8:00 a.m.

This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2013, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, has gone pink in October in support of efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and a life is lost to the disease every 14 minutes. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

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

Blue Rocks honored with Minker Award

October 8, 2014

Community service award is named after Wilmington team’s founder

The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League on Wednesday with the Matt Minker Community Service Award, which goes to the club that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company also built Frawley Stadium, is still the team’s honorary president. It is the first year the title has been awarded to an entire organization, after going to individual players since its inception in 2009.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks and for the franchise’s success in the years to follow,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “It is fitting and appropriate that this honor bears his name and we are absolutely privileged to be the first organizational recipient.”

The Blue Rocks won the award thanks in large part to their numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits.

As an organization the Blue Rocks work with area schools to promote academic achievement (Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Outstanding Student Program), and active lifestyles (Titus Sports Champions Physical Health Program). The team helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for good causes through partnerships with Habitat For Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs of DE, Fight for the Gold, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and many other charities in 2014. It also contributed school supplies to the Red Clay School Consolidated School District during the Remax Stuff the Bus Campaign and donated thousands of tickets to other worthy community programs. Several times each season the team also visited the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, brightening the spirits of that facility’s patients and their families.

“We could not accomplish much of what we do without the partnership and cooperation of our players and the Kansas City Royals organization,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin P. Linton. “Their commitment to community fits perfectly with the vision that Matt Minker set forth for the Blue Rocks franchise and that we continue to follow to this day.”

Community service is so engrained within the organization that three of the five times the award was presented to individual players it went to Blue Rocks. Everett Teaford was the inaugural winner in 2009 and was followed by Tim Melville in 2011 and Whit Merrifield in 2012.

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the eight-team league’s automatic nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual national convention, to be held this December in San Diego.

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

Squirrels Nominated For John Henry Moss Community Service Award

October 7, 2014

Richmond Tabbed by Eastern League for Award in 5th Season

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce that the organization has been nominated by the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs for the 2014 John Henry Moss Community Service Award. The league nominates just one team for the award, presented annually by Minor League Baseball.

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is bestowed upon a club that demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and within the baseball industry.

Community impact has been a foundational focal point for the Squirrels since their inception in 2010. The Squirrels’ nomination comes following a season in which they continued to expand many of their community aims. That included the launch of the Squirrels’ new non-profit arm, Flying Squirrels Charities, created with the goal of growing opportunities for local children. The first major fundraising campaign for Flying Squirrels Charities was “Smooch-a-Pig,” which included the involvement of 10 local celebrities and benefitted “Operation Renovation.” The campaign, which endeavored to rebuild 12 little league fields for the Richmond City Department of Parks & Recreation, raised over $60,000.

“There are many awards that the Squirrels as an organization would be delighted to receive,” said Flying Squirrels’ Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “However, this nomination is of particular significance to us. Community service is the bedrock of the Squirrels’ organization, and it is gratifying that our sustained effort continues to have a profound impact.”

The Squirrels continue to be one of the most active teams in professional sports within their community. Among their other programs and highlights:

“Go Nuts for Reading Program (39,000 student participants)
Flying Squirrels Art Contest (5^th Year)
Score an “A”, Score a Ticket Program
Kroger Squirrels Tails Kids Club (24,000 Members)
In-Season Youth Camps
Drives (Food, Books, School Supplies, Blood)
Mustaches for Kids Program
Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure
Charitable Events (Turn Left Golf Classic, Hot Stove Banquet, Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run, Squirreloween, Puritan Cleaners Coats for Kids Drive, etc.)
450 Mascot Appearances Annually (Local Schools, Businesses, Non-Profits, Festivals, etc.)
30 Player and Coaches Appearances During the 2014 Season (200+ Hours of Community Service)
Executive Speaking Engagements (100+ in 2014)
ASK Fun Walk & 5K (Ask Foundation – 9^th Annual)
Camp Warrior
Flying Squirrels Regional Youth Baseball Tournament
Monetary Gifts & Gifts In-Kind ($150,000)

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is named after the longtime, former South Atlantic League president, who founded the SAL and presided over it for a half-century (1959-2008).

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings, which will be held in San Diego, CA, from December 7-11.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Click here to view the original story.

Dragons Website Going Pink in October

October 1, 2014

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Dayton Dragons have gone pink during the month of October. In partnership with Kettering Health Network, the Dragons have turned their website pink to support Kettering’s Army of Pink and the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, will remain pink to help draw attention to the efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

The 2014 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be at Fifth Third Field on October 18 at 8:00 a.m. This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2013 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

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

Race for the Cure at Fluor Field on Saturday

September 25, 2014

Registration begins at 6:30 AM; Race begins at 8:00 AM

What: 20th Annual SC Mountains to Midlands Race for the Cure
When: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Where: Fluor Field, Home of the Greenville Drive in downtown Greenville, SC
Online Race for the Cure registration has closed, but you can still register at Fluor Field on Friday, September 26th from 11am-7pm and Saturday September 27th starting at 6:30 AM. The race begins at 8:00 AM. Celebrate 20 years of local giving with Susan G. Komen and SC Mountains to Midlands this Saturday, September 27!

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