Delmarva Shorebirds 2021 Holiday Community Impact

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After the silver anniversary season of Delmarva Shorebirds baseball, the ‘Birds were eager to join together with community leaders to keep the good times rolling with an emphasis on creating a positive impact in our community. From packing boxes for those in need, to holiday gift drives, parades, and more,

After the silver anniversary season of Delmarva Shorebirds baseball, the ‘Birds were eager to join together with community leaders to keep the good times rolling with an emphasis on creating a positive impact in our community. From packing boxes for those in need, to holiday gift drives, parades, and more, the Shorebirds carried their mission through the beginning of the offseason to lend a helping hand and spread some holiday cheer to those on Delmarva this holiday season.

Thanksgiving for Thousands

The Delmarva Shorebirds kicked off the holiday season by participating in Mountaire Farms annual Thanksgiving for Thousands. The Shorebirds have been involved with Mountaire Farms Thanksgiving for Thousands for many years now and helped Mountaire pack over 10,000 Thanksgiving boxes for families in need across Delmarva. This event is a favorite of the Shorebirds front office and was a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

An annual tradition, the Delmarva Shorebirds’ front office staff partnered with the Shorebirds’ Fan Club to participate in Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing in front of the Salisbury Walmart this holiday season. By participating in bell ringing, the Shorebirds were able to help the Salvation Army raise holiday funds for families in need in our community, while sharing a smile and holiday cheer with customers and Shorebirds fans.

Santa’s Letters

Next, Sherman and the Shorebirds visited Santa’s Letters in Dagsboro, Delaware to help ring in the Christmas season. This event spread Christmas cheer by allowing kids to play in the winter wonderland, drink hot chocolate, and put their letter to Santa in Santa’s mailbox. Sherman was very excited for Santa to read his letter! Sherman and the Shorebirds enjoyed helping Santa’s Letters spread the joy of the holiday season for those young and old. Despite the cold, Sherman’s feathers kept him warm!

Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” Program

At the beginning of December, the Delmarva Shorebirds partnered with Home Instead for their “Be a Santa to a Senior” program. The Shorebirds decorated a Christmas tree in their front lobby and put ornaments from Home Instead that were labeled with gifts that seniors could use this holiday season. With the help of our amazing fans, the Shorebirds were able to give many presents to the seniors in our community through the “Be a Santa to a Senior” Program. Plus, Sherman visited the MAC Center with Home Instead to spread holiday cheer to the seniors as they received their gifts. This wonderful community initiative is something the Delmarva Shorebirds welcomed for the first time this season and plan to join forces with Home Instead for the years to come.

Holiday Parades

Sherman was a very busy bird this holiday season as he attended seven (7) Christmas parades across Delmarva. On November 29th, the Shorebirds started their parade route by attending the Pocomoke Christmas Parade followed by the Berlin Christmas Parade a few days after on December 2nd. Sherman and the Shorebirds had a double header on December 4th as Sherman shook his tailfeather at both Ocean City and Seaford Christmas parades. Sherman flew closer to the nest on December 5th as he spread holiday cheer at the Salisbury Christmas Parade giving his hometown fans a reminder that baseball will soon be back at Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds ended the parade route with the Rehoboth Christmas Parade on December 6th and the Bridgeville Christmas parade on December 12th.

Halo Trees of Hope Festival

The Shorebirds donated a Shorebirds themed Christmas tree decked out with various memorabilia including Shorebirds bobbleheads, upper reserved tickets to a Shorebirds game, and a Shorebirds Suite Night, all valuing at $1000 to Halo’s first Trees of Hope Festival. The Shorebirds’ Christmas tree along with many other trees donated by organizations across Delmarva were auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting Halo Ministry and their mission of helping those experiencing homelessness in the area.

Jaycees Christmas Shopping Tour

Sherman and the Shorebirds helped the Jaycees with their annual Christmas Shopping Tour where they spread the Christmas cheer and gave out Christmas gifts to children in the area at the Salisbury Elks Lodge #817. The Jaycees do amazing work in the community each year, and the Shorebirds are always excited for the opportunity to join forces with such a wonderful organization.

Penguin Swim

Sherman attended Atlantic General Hospital’s annual Penguin Swim in Ocean City on New Year’s Day! He cheered on attendees as they dipped their tail feathers in the ocean. Sherman was a warm, friendly face for the participants who dunked themselves in the frigid waters. The proceeds of the event benefited the hospital and their mission of providing quality care to their community, and Sherman and the Shorebirds were proud to support such an incredible event.

The Delmarva Shorebirds were able to join forces with incredible community members this holiday season to give back to our supportive community and spread holiday cheer. The Shorebirds participated in recurring events that are beloved by the team as well as new ones that the Shorebirds hope to continue year after year. With the 2022 Delmarva Shorebirds’ season quickly approaching, the team will continue to fulfill its mission of making a positive impact on the community as well as gearing up for an exciting 2022 season of Shorebirds baseball that is bound to be one of the best years yet!

2021 Trash Pandas Community Impact Report 

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The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to assist the North Alabama community by raising more than $100,000 in cash donations for non-profit organizations during the team’s inaugural season in 2021.

The funds were raised through a series of events throughout the season including Game-Worn Jersey Auctions, Dog Day Donations, and the Trash Pandas Food & Beverage Volunteer Program.

CLICK HERE to view the full 2021 Rocket City Trash Pandas Community Impact Report.

Highlights from 2021 include:

  • Five specialty game-worn jersey auctions featuring jerseys worn by Trash Pandas players and coaches during select home games. After the game, jerseys were auctioned with proceeds going to local non-profits that raised over $65,000 throughout the season.
  • The Trash Pandas Food and Beverage Volunteer Program allowed organizations to assist in operating concession stands during games with profits going to their organization, which collected over $47,000.
  • During each Wednesday home game, fans were invited to bring their four-legged friends to Toyota Field for Dog Day, with a $1 donation per dog going to an animal-related non-profit. Throughout 10 Dog Days, over $750 was collected.
  • Four drive-through food drives at Toyota Field where over 40,000 pounds of food was distributed at each event to provide more than 2,500 families with much-needed food during the pandemic.
  • Trash Pandas players took part in a Youth Instructional Camp where over 200 children aged 8-10 learned baseball fundamentals. Players also posed with rescue animals for a calendar photo shoot to help puppies find a new home.
  • Sprocket made dozens of appearances at special events such as school visits, Little League Opening Days, trade shows, visits with Trash Pandas partners, and delivering holiday meals to those in need.
  • Throughout the year, Toyota Field also hosted school groups ranging from elementary to college for behind-the-scenes tours of Toyota Field with stops including the press box, clubhouses, the field, and luxury suites.

The Trash Pandas are looking forward to continuing their work in the community as the 2022 season approaches. To learn more on how to get involved in Trash Pandas community events, please CLICK HERE to view the Community Tab at TrashPandasBaseball.com.

Opening Night at Toyota Field is set for Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 6:35 p.m. against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

MODESTO NUTS RELEASE 2021 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

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MODESTO, CA – The report covers the 2021 fiscal year and discloses the Nuts contributions of over $170,000 to community related programs.

“It was an absolute honor to return in 2021 and offer Stanislaus County a safe, affordable place to enjoy friends, family & co-workers,” said Zach Brockman, General Manager of the Modesto Nuts. “We are supremely confident that our organization will complete that comeback in 2022 and get back to hosting more fans and attending more community events. Donations, in-kind services & direct support for quality-of-life projects in the Modesto area will return in full. We couldn’t be more excited for the future!“

With the help of The Parks Group and Mocse Credit Union, the Modesto Nuts began the Health and Wellness Program with over 10 schools enrolled and about 10,000 students participated. The Health and Wellness Program motivated children to focus on mental health, physical health, and cleanliness by offering performance-based incentives from Save Mart, Health Plan of San Joaquin, and The Modesto Nuts.

Non-profit organizations and little leagues used the Modesto Nuts ticket fundraising program to generate much needed funds. Additionally, the Nuts donated gift baskets which included game tickets, premium suites & autographed memorabilia.

Modesto front office donated their time generously to different organizations throughout the community. From school career fairs, to little league opening days, and much more; the Modesto Nuts were able to teach important values such as chasing dreams, having integrity and working hard for what they want.

In back to back years, the Modesto Nuts have doubled their community appearances. For more information on how you can have a Modesto Nuts representative at your event, please head to our Community Appearance Page.

CLICK HERE for the full 2021 Community Impact Report

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About the Nuts:

The Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball team is the Class A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. For more information visit modestonuts.com or call 209-572-HITS (4487)

Appalachian League celebrates 2021 charitable contributions

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the league’s charitable outreach totaled more than $2.5 million of gift in kind and monetary donations this year. The league and its teams continued to be actively engaged in safely helping and assisting their local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league’s reach stretches across four states and impacts the towns and cities their 10 teams call home. Appalachian League executives and team staff members volunteered through food deliveries, speaking engagements, mask donations, player appearances, jersey auctions and more.

“As a league, we appreciate the opportunity to give back and to enhance the communities that have supported our member clubs for more than 100 years,” league president Dan Moushon said.

Appy League representatives participated in a league service project at Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium in conjunction with the annual league meetings service project in Kingsport. Club members picked up trash and removed brush from parking lots and natural areas. Prior to the All-Star Game, the Pulaski River Turtles hosted a very successful Play Ball youth clinic at Calfee Park.

Several Appy League teams contributed more than $100,000 of gift in kind and monetary donations for their communities. More details and a full breakdown of the 2021 Appy League Community Impact Report can be found here.

The 2022 Appy League season begins Thursday, June 2. A complete schedule for the upcoming season can be found here.

The Appalachian League is a part of USA Baseball and powered by MLB. For more information on the Appalachian League, please visit AppyLeague.com.

2020 Giants in the Community Report

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Annual report highlights organization’s impact in the San Jose community

SAN JOSE, CA– The San Jose Giants released today their 2020 Community Report. In unprecedented circumstances, this year’s report highlights the organization’s creative success and community involvement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in 166 events despite the absence of baseball.

“As we look towards brighter days and the return of baseball sounds echoing through Excite Ballpark, I hope this report brings a communal sense of pride in what we can accomplish together when the odds are against us,” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “We look forward to seeing you out in the community and cannot wait to welcome you all back to the ballpark when baseball returns.”

The 2020 Community Report demonstrates the club’s activity in the community and overall pledge to giving back both inside and outside the stadium’s gates. Highlights of the report include the organization’s involvement with Bay Area SHiP Kits, information on successful fundraising efforts to support both Frontline Workers battling the pandemic and the Northern California Fires, as well as never-before-seen events and opportunities at the ballpark without Giants games being played. For the complete 2020 San Jose Giants Community Report, click on the link below.

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.

View 2020 Community Report

October 2020 Community Report

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In the month of October, The Stockton Ports delivered $200 worth of gift cards to six different schools in our local community. After raising $1,200 through a Virtual Back to School Drive, The Ports were able to purchase gift cards to support Hong Kingston, Pittman, Pulliam, Cleveland, Kennedy, and Adams Elementary schools in their efforts to adapt to virtual learning. With COVID-19 Guidelines followed, the gift cards were hand delivered to each school along with a personal message wishing them the best of luck during the school year. This was the first time The Ports held this event, and after the success that it brought about, it is safe to say that this will become an annual drive to benefit the Stockton Unified School District at the start of each school year.

Later in the month of October, Splash made some Halloween visits around town and participated in events taking place in our local community. The first stop was Chase Chevrolet’s “Trunk or Treat” where Splash handed out candy to children and families at this drive through event. Splash was greeted with smiles and cheers, although he did get frightened at times due to some scary costumes! After “Trunk or Treat”, Splash’s next stop was at a new venue in town called Stocklandia, a permanent location filled with a variety of local food trucks and boutiques that recently opened. Splash was given a plethora of different foods and desserts to try, all of which he loved. He was also greeted by many Stockton Ports fans asked to take pictures with all of them. The Stockton Ports were happy to be out in the community are excited to continue their community efforts in the upcoming months!

Chasers in the Community

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The Omaha Storm Chasers in conjunction with Chasers Charities and Spectra Food Services and Hospitality combined for over 600 hours of community service in the Omaha Metro this year, and welcomed nearly 90,000 fans to a safe and socially distant Werner Park in 2020.

“We are proud of our staff for continuing to work in the community during this especially difficult year and we will continue to pursue opportunities and plan events that provide community connections in 2021,” said Storm Chasers General Manager Laurie Schlender. “While we have had staff reductions and no baseball in 2020, our commitment to being involved in the community has not wavered and we are planning things for 2021 that will continue that commitment.”

The Storm Chasers organization was also visible throughout the Omaha Metro community, as the combined number of mascot and staff appearances totaled 75. Chasers Charities in partnership with The Weitz Company also awarded two $1,000 college scholarships through the Jackie Robinson Scholarship program to Livia McFadden and Nolan Christianson. The Chasers also partnered with numerous non-profit organizations throughout the year including Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Salvation Army, the Tangier Shrine, Project Wee Care and the Foodbank for the Heartland amongst many others. They also partnered with Jack Daniels to provide for Operation Ride Home for the second straight year.

A brand new classroom program, Chasers All-Stars, was also created in 2020 providing parents, teachers, and administrators the ability to nominate teachers from the metro to be honored. Over 20 classrooms were surprised in February and March with a visit from Stormy, a weather demonstration provided by KMTV and a variety of prizes.

Despite many challenges brought by Covid-19, the Storm Chasers remained committed to providing relief for the Omaha Metro Community. A partnership with Kidwell Inc. provided 25 gallons of hand sanitizer to the Ronald McDonald House in April and nearly $1000 was donated to the Foodbank of the Heartland through Feeding America, while donating tickets for the 2021 season to frontline workers. The Storm Chasers were also able to provide a sense of normalcy providing two free drive-in firework shows and six Curbside To Go pick up meals.

A full overview of the Storm Chasers’ 2020 Community Relations efforts can be found online here.

Timber Rattlers 2020 Charity Report

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GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers may not have been able to play any games during the 2020 season, but that did not stop Timber Rattlers Give Back, the team’s 501(c)3 organization, from raising money for local charities.

The annual Charity Golf Outing which was originally scheduled for June was held on September 10 at Shamrock Heights Golf Course in New London. Area golfers plus Timber Rattlers front office personnel collected nearly $9,000 through the golf and raffles that were held after the outing. A date for the 2021 Charity Golf Outing will be announced once a schedule for next season is completed.

The on-site garden was tended to with assistance from Freedom High School’s FFA chapter and it grew approximately 200 pounds of vegetables. The harvests were donated to St. Joe’s Food Pantry.

There is a current fund raiser for Timber Rattlers Give Back that the team has worked on with Pick N’ Save, Fox Communities Credit Union, Scheels, and Fleet Farm that fans can donate to yet this year.

Fang’s Virtual Trick or Treat Parade for Charity is taking entries and donations until October 28. Email a photo of your child or family in a Halloween costume and email the photo to Fang at his email address – Fang@timberrattlers.com – before this Wednesday. Make sure to include your child’s name, city, and costume with the photo.

There is no entry fee, but we are asking for a voluntary donation to Timber Rattlers Give Back. Donations may be made through this link on the Timber Rattlers Give Back website.

A slideshow video of the entrants will be premiered on our Facebook page at 6:30pm on Friday, October 30.

Thank you to everyone who assisted us during this challenging year. We look forward to a much better 2021.

Woodpeckers 2019 Community and Charitable Giving Report

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Since it’s inception in March of 2019, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund has implemented the Fayetteville Woodpeckers’ desire to make a tangible impact on the Greater Fayetteville community through their official team charity. Investing over $71,000 in charitable giving, in-kind donations, and volunteer hours in their inaugural season, the Woodpeckers set out to establish a winning record not only in baseball games, but in their commitment to helping the community surrounding Segra Stadium.

The core program of this initiative, The Community Leaders Program, emphasizes a focus on youth sports and military causes. With the volunteerism and funds contributed by the Woodpeckers’ 2019 Community Leaders Corporate Partners (Segra, AEVEX, ASUS, Walsingham Group, Inc., and CarolinasDentist), we were able to accomplish the following projects below in 2019.

Youth Sports

  • Sponsored uniforms for 21 youth baseball and softball teams throughout Cumberland County, including the Buddy Baseball Program for special needs children.
  • Purchased and installed a new scoreboard for the Buddy Baseball Program at their home field in Massey Hill. The previous scoreboard was damaged during Hurricane Matthew.
  • Provided new Nike PG3 basketball shoes for both Men’s and Women’s varsity basketball teams at E.E. Smith High School.

Military

  • Funded 50 scholarships for military children to attend summer camp at Rick’s Place. Rick’s Place is a veteran owned 50-acre park just outside Fort Bragg that provides support for active duty and veteran soldiers and their families. In addition, the Woodpeckers provided all 250 campers with a t-shirt to wear during the duration of camp.
  • In conjunction with the USO of North Carolina and with the help of over 70 volunteers from our corporate partners, the Bird Bath Kits initiative was launched. Over 1,000 Bird Bath Kits, which included various personal care hygiene items, were packed at Segra Stadium and then delivered to elementary and middle schools on Fort Bragg as part of our back to school project.
  • Purchased a new irrigation system to benefit the community garden established for veterans therapy at Rick’s Place. This garden has a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that veterans and their families are able to plant, tend, and harvest free of charge.

Other 2019 Charitable Initiatives: 
Paint the Park Purple, Alzheimer’s Awareness Night – On Saturday, July 27th, 2019, the Woodpeckers partnered with McKee Homes to host Alzheimer’s Awareness Night at Segra Stadium. The team wore custom purple jerseys that were auctioned off in-game, raising over $8,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina. The first 2,000 fans through the gates that night receieved custom purple Woodpeckers shirts to wear during the game, while awareness/educational videos played throughout the evening.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund Jersey Auctions – The Woodpeckers held two other impactful jersey auctions that benefited the club’s charity in 2019. The first was a Patriotic jersey for our Independence Day Celebration game on July 3rd and the second was our end-of-season Inaugural home jersey set. These funds were used to help with the above Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund initiatives.
Falcon Children’s Home Christmas Initiative – The Woodpeckers purchased 120 toys for children (infant to 19 years old) to open during the annual Falcon Children’s Home Christmas Party in December.
Childhood Cancer Awareness, Hailey Keller’s Home Run for Life & Jacob Moore’s Woodpecker for a Day – The Woodpeckers were honored to have Hailey and Jacob be a part of our Inaugural season. Hailey celebrated her five year anniversary of being cancer free by hitting a “home run” and running the bases during one of our inning breaks to a standing ovation. Jacob signed a one-day contract and enjoyed a full day of team training and fun as an honorary Woodpecker. Jacob has defied the odds and continues to fight while living with terminal neuroblastoma.

In addition to the above, the club fulfilled over 200 in-kind donations to organizations throughout Fayetteville and the surrounding communities. Our favorite red-cockaded woodpecker Bunker also made over 100 appearances throughout the region, putting a smile on the face of children and keeping our fans in good spirits!

 

Modesto Nuts Release 2019 Community Impact Report

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

The report covers the 2019 fiscal year and discloses the Nuts contributions of over $375,000 to community related programs.

“Our community is the backbone of everything we do, without it we cannot exist.” said Zach Brockman, General Manager of the Modesto Nuts. “In the coming years, we will be continuing to increase our community footprint and we invite all of our current and potential partners to join us in this initiative.”

With the help of The Parks Group and Mocse Credit Union, the Modesto Nuts Reading Program involved around over 80 schools and over 35,000 local students. The Reading Program motivated children to reach their reading goals by offering performance-based incentives from Save Mart, Chuck E. Cheese, Taco Bell, and The Modesto Nuts.

Non-profit organizations and little leagues used the Modesto Nuts ticket fundraising program to generate much needed funds. Additionally, the Nuts donated gift baskets which included game tickets, premium suites & autographed memorabilia to over 200 different local charities.

Modesto Nuts players, coaching staff, and front office donated their time generously to different organizations throughout the community. From school career fairs, to little league opening days, and much more; the Modesto Nuts were able to teach important values such as chasing dreams, having integrity and working hard for what they want.

In back to back years, the Modesto Nuts have doubled their community appearances. For more information on how you can have a Modesto Nuts representative at your event, please head to our Community Appearance Page.

CLICK HERE for the full 2019 Community Impact Report

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About the Nuts:

The Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball team is the California League Class A-Advanced Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Modesto Nuts is the Central Valley’s place for family, fun, affordable entertainment. For more information on season tickets, group rates, sponsorships and more visit modestonuts.com or call 209-572-HITS (4487).

Appalachian League Releases 2019 Community Report

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.



CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Appalachian League today announced it surpassed $2.3 million in charitable contributions for the 2019 calendar year. The multi-million dollar figure is a culmination of all community involvement from the ten teams in the Advanced-Rookie league, as well as efforts from the Appalachian League office.

“As a league, we appreciate the opportunity to give back and to enhance the communities that have supported our member clubs for more than 100 years,” said League President Dan Moushon.
Appalachian League executives, staff members, players, coaches, and umpires spent more than 7,600 hours volunteering in their communities across more than 220 events. Additionally, organizations partnered with five Minor League Baseball national charity partners and hosted local activations for five MiLB community initiatives.

More information about the Appalachian League’s 2019 community initiatives and charitable contributions can be viewed in the official 2019 report available here.

The 2020 Appalachian League season begins on June 22. Fans can view the complete schedule at appyleague.com.

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The Appalachian League is a Rookie (Advance) league in Minor League Baseball that consists of 10 teams across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The league was established in 1911, and the modern Appalachian League began play in 1957. For more information about the Appalachian League, please visit appyleague.com or follow the league on Twitter (@AppyLeague).

Appalachian League releases 2019 community report

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Appalachian League today announced it surpassed $2.3 million in charitable contributions for the 2019 calendar year. The multi-million dollar figure is a culmination of all community involvement from the ten teams in the Advanced-Rookie league, as well as efforts from the Appalachian League office.

“As a league, we appreciate the opportunity to give back and to enhance the communities that have supported our member clubs for more than 100 years,” said League President Dan Moushon.

Appalachian League executives, staff members, players, coaches, and umpires spent more than 7,600 hours volunteering in their communities across more than 220 events. Additionally, organizations partnered with five Minor League Baseball national charity partners and hosted local activations for five MiLB community initiatives.

More information about the Appalachian League’s 2019 community initiatives and charitable contributions can be viewed in the official 2019 report available here.

The 2020 Appalachian League season begins on June 22. Fans can view the complete schedule at appyleague.com.

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

Grizzlies Give Back More Than $1M in 2019

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Chukchansi Park thrived in 2019, playing home to more than 135 non-profit events, with a total of nearly 25,000 attendees. The Grizzlies also gave more than $1 million in monetary and in-kind donations, which was the most in Minor League Baseball’s Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

The Fresno Grizzlies take pride in assisting, rewarding and supporting worthwhile causes throughout the Central Valley. In 2019, the Grizzlies and Chukchansi Park were grateful to help out so many individuals and organizations.

“Giving back to the community is in our DNA at the Fresno Grizzlies, and these efforts extend far beyond the baseball diamond,” said Madeline Hamada, Community Engagement Manager. “Grizzlies’ programs and community initiatives are helping fulfill our vision of giving back and making the Central Valley a better place to live.”

Non-profit events held at the ballpark included the Cen Cal Fury softball clinic, the Downtown Academy graduation, the Valley Children’s water safety presentation and the Exceptional Needs Formal. Also, the Fresno American Indian Health Project company retreat, Valley PBS end-of-year awards and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk held their events in the friendly confines of Chukchansi Park.

“The Grizzlies are an integral part of Downtown Fresno and we are so thankful for the team’s exceptional community contributions,” stated Lee Brand, Fresno mayor. “The array of events that Chukchansi Park hosted last year clearly demonstrate the organization’s dedication to the City and its residents.”

Besides these non-profit events, the Grizzlies continued a trio of programs with amazing community benefits. Junior Grizzlies, a 10-week, non-competitive, adaptive baseball league for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities had more than 160 children and adults participate during the 2019 season. Wild About Reading, which incentivizes students to read frequently celebrated its 16th season in 2019. Since 2012, Wild About Reading has reached 95,000 students with more than 160 schools involved. Finally, Making the Grade allows area schools to reward hard-working students with an afternoon at Chukchansi Park. Nearly 20,000 students and 224 schools participated this year.

Overall, the Grizzlies gave $1,038,310 in monetary and in-kind donations during 2019. $65,500 was raised in ticket fundraisers for non-profits and little leagues, $11,500 was earned through theme jersey auctions, $10,530 was raised through food donations to the Poverello House through the Zero Waste Policy and $10,500 was awarded in Farm Grown Scholarships. On top of that, the Grizzlies front office spent 400 plus hours volunteering around the Central Valley. If you would like to help around your community, join one of these amazing events or be apart of helping the Grizzlies in 2020, click here to learn more.

#Growlifornia

ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES

The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League (PCL) and one of 30 clubs in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The team plays at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno, which is also a year-round community venue, hosting a myriad of other special events beyond Grizzlies’ games, such as concerts, festivals, high school baseball and over 100 non-profit community events every year. The Grizzlies enter the 2020 season – their 23rd in Fresno – on the momentum of the fifth championship in 10 years by their big league affiliate. The team celebrated their own PCL title in 2015.

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

Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc. Releases 2019 Annual Report

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc. proudly presents the 5th Annual Report to the Community detailing the organization’s charitable outreach in 2019. Each year, the report lists the extensive accomplishments of the Foundation as well as the notable programs coordinated by the Cougars.

It was another record-setting year for the Cougars Foundation as giving exceeded the $1 million mark, making 2019 the second consecutive year charitable giving was above the $1 million milestone. In addition, the Cougars moved into the top five among all Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams in charitable giving following the release of the MiLB Charity Report for 2018. The Cougars are currently ranked fifth out of all 160 teams, marking the second consecutive year the team was ranked in the top ten for charitable giving.

The Foundation achieved additional milestones as the five-year record giving streak has soared over 1,500% since 2014. Individual programs supported by the Foundation have reached a total of 24, while cash contributions were provided to 32 community organizations, the largest number of programs and organizations that have benefited from the Foundation in its history. Program highlights include the Cougars Reading Club which now reaches over 450 schools and 138,000 students with the Summer Reading Program now including 89 libraries and over 5,400 student participants. The Foundation also operates two scholarship programs, issuing grade school level scholarships to six local students and five college-level scholarships. Military Outreach continued to see growth, reaching over 1,100 current and former military service members while the Senior Citizens Outreach touched over 2,500 local seniors age 65 and over.

In addition to the expansion of current programs, new programs were added such as Mental Health and Deaf Awareness Night. The Foundation teamed up with local charities that focus on improving the quality of lives for those who deal with mental illness and hearing impairments. For each strikeout recorded by a Cougars pitcher during select nights, the Foundation made a donation with a portion of the total proceeds benefiting the selected charities.

The highlight of the year for the Foundation came at Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego, Calif. Ballpark Digest selected the Cougars Foundation out of all 160 MiLB teams to receive the prestigious Ballpark Digest Commitment to Charity Award for the 2019 season. Following the announcement that the Cougars had been selected, the Foundation received a congratulatory message from NASDAQ on the famous MarketSite Tower that illuminates Times Square. This marked the first time a MiLB Foundation was featured on the MarketSite Tower.

Across all 24 programs, the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation’s charitable giving reached a total of $1,054,980.

“None of these accomplishments would be possible without the commitment of our Foundation’s sponsors, donors and partners,” said Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “Their willingness to step up for our community is seen each and every year that we’re able to expand our outreach. It’s amazing to watch the impact of the Foundation stretch far beyond the baseball field.”

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 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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

Pulaski Yankees release 2019 charitable contributions

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

PULASKI, Va. – The Pulaski Yankees today announced the organization made over $282,000 in charitable contributions during the 2019 calendar year, an increase of over $250,000 from 2018. Through the new Calfee Cares community relations program, the Yankees made $253,587 in gift in kind donations and $28,833 in cash donations from in-stadium fundraising efforts.

“When we introduced Calfee Cares in May of 2019, our goal was to prioritize our community relations efforts and continually find and create opportunities to give back to the fans, businesses, and community organizations in Pulaski who support us all season long,” said Pulaski Yankees General Manager Betsy Haugh. “We could not be more thrilled with the results from 2019 and the contributions our organization and players made last season.”

Yankees players and staff members totaled 536 hours in volunteer efforts and community appearances during 2019 across more than 35 different events, including the Yankees’ annual HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) initiative presented by Gay & Neel, Inc.

22 of the team’s 34 regular-season home games had a community tie, most notably Agriculture Night 2.0 presented by Farm Credit of the Virginias which led to a $4,250 donation to the Virginia Tech Agriculture Extension and Pulaski County 4-H, and fan favorites such as Heroes Night (SERVPRO of Pulaski County) and Military Appreciation Night (Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center).

The Yankees participated in five MiLB Charities national initiatives, including Sun Safety Awareness (American Cancer Society), Domestic Violence Awareness (Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation), Stars & Stripes Caps (New Era Cap Co.), MiLB CommUNITY (Allegiant Airlines), and Hope at Bat (American Cancer Society).

Calfee Park also hosted three community-focused special events – the first-ever Pulaski Yankees 5K benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia, Homers for Hearts benefitting the American Heart Association, and Guns and Hoses benefitting the New River Valley Agency on Aging.

Additionally, the Yankees began partnerships with the American Cancer Society (also an MiLB Charity Partner) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia, joining a lineup of local community partners that includes Shelor Motor Mile Growing the Future and the Pulaski County 4-H.

“Our community partnerships are so important to us and our efforts to give back to the community,” Haugh said. “We look forward to working with these four again in 2020 and introducing a few new community partnerships for the coming season.”

Including Pulaski’s $282,420, the Appalachian League’s reported contributions from 2019 total $2,347,712.

Season tickets and flex packs are now on sale for the 2020 Pulaski Yankees season, which gets underway at Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park on June 22. Tickets can be purchased online at pulaskiyankees.net, by phone at (540) 980-1070, or in person at the Calfee Park offices. Individual game tickets will go on sale on April 1.

The Pulaski Yankees are the Advanced Rookie level affiliate of the New York Yankees playing in the Appalachian League. Pulaski is celebrating its 54th season in the Appalachian League in 2019. Calfee Park has won league championships in 1948, 1969, 1986, 1991 and 2013. Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park opened in 1935 and was renovated for the team’s first season as a Yankees affiliate in 2015. The Pulaski Yankees were named the recipient of the John H. Johnson President’s Award, Minor League Baseball’s top honor, in 2019. For more information, please visit www.pulaskiyankees.net or follow the Pulaski Yankees on social media, @PulaskiYanks (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram). This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.