James E. Van Zandt VAMC partners with Altoona Curve for mask giveaway

1,000 face coverings to be handed out at PNG Field on December 18

CURVE, Pa. – The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center and the Altoona Curve will give away 1,000 face masks at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Friday, December 18.

The drive-through event in the PNG Field parking lot will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or while supplies last. Visitors shall remain in their vehicles and the traffic pattern. Masks will be handed to them by a Curve or VA staff member. Each black face mask features white logos of the Curve and the VA.

Both the Curve and the VA will also collect non-perishable food items during the mask giveaway. Collected items will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul Assumption Chapel Food Pantry and are not required to receive a mask.

2020 Giants in the Community Report

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

Cardinals encouraging fans to #FeedSWMO, donate to food pantries during holidays

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In a year where the importance of helping our neighbors has proved more important than ever, the Springfield Cardinals are placing the spotlight on food banks throughout the Springfield region this fall in an effort to Feed SWMO (#FeedSWMO) this holiday season.

The goal? With the Cardinals unable to hold our annual in-person Thanksgiving food drive due to COVID-19 protocols, our front office is still committed to making a food donation, and we’re encouraging all Cardinals fans to consider making one of their own directly to a local food pantry!

Together, we can still #FeedSWMO and assist those in our community who are at risk of going hungry during the holidays and into the winter months. Some local-area food drop-off sites and food pantries are listed below.

According to Ozarks Food Harvest, one in five children and one in seven adults suffer from food insecurity. You can join us in helping by donating food or funds directly to a food pantry, as every $1 donated helps food pantries provide $10 worth of groceries.

Some Local Food Pantries:

Ash Grove Food Pantry — 121 W Main St, Ash Grove, MO 65604 — https://www.facebook.com/Ash-Grove-Food-Pantry-874112155941361/
Crosslines of Springfield — 1710 E Chestnut Expy, Springfield, MO 65802 — http://ccozarks.org/crosslines/
Least of These — 1720 W James River Rd, Ozark, MO 65721 — http://www.leastofthesefoodpantry.org/
Ozarks Food Harvest — 2810 N Cedarbrook Ave, Springfield, MO 65803 — https://ozarksfoodharvest.org/
People Helping People — 210 N Pine Ave, Republic, MO 65738 — https://republicphp.com/
Salvation Army Food Pantry — 1707 W Chestnut Expy, Springfield, MO 65802 — https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/cure-hunger/
Victory Mission — 1715 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65803 — https://www.victorymission.com/

The Emeralds Buy a Mask/Give a Mask Program

 

Last month the Eugene Emeralds launched their online initiative to donate reusable, washable masks to local school districts. Through the Emeralds Buy a Mask/Give a Mask Program fans can purchase an adjustable face mask, or a gator, and the Emeralds will donate an identical mask to a local school district.

The Emeralds will distribute the masks through the Eugene Education Foundation, Bethel Education Foundation and the Springfield Education Foundation to go to the students, teachers and supporting staff. Although the re-opening of in person instruction is fluid, schools will be able to disturb the masks as needed and have them on hand when they are able to start in person instructions.

“It is so important for our students, teachers and support staff to have access to face masks,” said Anne Culhane, Director of Community Relations. “Masks are going to be an ongoing need for schools for the foreseeable future, and we want to make sure schools are able to provide PPEs to those who need them.”

The Emeralds have two options for fans to purchase from. The first one, a mask that has adjustable elastic ear loops. This mask is made of polyester super dry mesh fabric interior and has an interior pocket for a filter pad. Also available is a light weight and breathable gator. This standard fit (one size fits most) gator can be worn in any number of ways such as a headscarf, face mask or bandanna. These are not medical grade masks, but it has been proven to help reduce a person’s chance of spreading COVID-19 by up to 70 percent.

Fans interested in participating in the Buy a Mask/Give a Mask program can visit the Emeralds Team Store here, https://emeralds.milbstore.com/collections/buy-a-mask-give-a-mask. Fans who visit the site will also see the option to purchase a mask to given to schools. The program will run until January 2021.

Pet Food Drive at Coca-Cola Park

 

Pet Food Drive to be held at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, November 7

Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center are looking for pet food donations starting today

Allentown, Pennsylvania (26 October 2020) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center are partnering to hold a Pet Food Drive on Saturday, November 7 from 9-11 a.m. at Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs and Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center are looking for generosity in donation from the community to help families in need to help feed their pets.

“We are excited to once again to partner with Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center to host a pet food drive here at Coca-Cola Park,” said IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes. “Pet owners and their pets have been impacted by COVID-19 and this pet food drive will provide an opportunity to help families in need to help feed their pets.”

Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center has created a wish list for families the pet food will be donated to and are asking those who will be donating to visit the wish list. The link can be found by clicking here. Guests can begin to visit the wish list starting today. Guests will be able to select either dog or cat food plus canned or bagged dry food if they choose to donate via the wish list. Any non-wish list donations will also be accepted. In-person donations are welcome and are to be made at Coca-Cola Park. Guests must call the IronPigs Front Office at 610-841-7447 upon arrival to the ballpark. Donations can be made starting immediately and continue all the way up to the morning of the event. Guests can make their donations Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pet food redemptions will begin on Wednesday, November 4. A link will be provided via the IronPigs social media pages as well as an email shortly prior to November 4. For guests who redeem via the link provided by the IronPigs, will receive a confirmation on the time frame they are to arrive at Coca-Cola Park and have the food put into their car.

Upon arrival on Saturday, November 7, guests will be directed by IronPigs staff members to the pick-up area outside the West Ballpark entrance. Guests will need to show their confirmation for pick-up and must remain in their vehicle. They are to pop open their trunk for an IronPigs or Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center staff member to place their food. Staff members will be wearing protective masks and following all social distancing guidelines.

Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/LHVIronPigs

The IronPigs are presented by Capital BlueCross.

Volcanoes Stadium to Host Community Market

 

The inaugural Volcanoes Stadium Community Markets in August and September were fabulous. Vendor space was Sold Out. Due to the Market’s success, and as a result of many requests, the Stadium Market will return. A fall market is set for Friday and Saturday November 6th and 7th. A Christmas market will be held Friday and Saturday December 4th and 5th_. *_Friday November 6th and Saturday, December 4th will feature an evening format running from 4pm to 8:30pm. Saturday, November 7th and Saturday, December 5th markets will run from 11am to 3pm. Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance at noon on Saturday, December 5th. The markets will be open-air in the Volcanoes Stadium parking lot and will feature free admission and free parking.

Location: Volcanoes Stadium ~ Keizer, Oregon

At a Glance – what to expect: An open-air market expected to bring a variety of Vendors, Food Trucks, Artists, Locally Grown Produce, Fruit, Flowers, Clothing, Jewelry, Crafts, Gifts and various Artisan works.

The market will follow COVID-19 protocols. Admission/Parking will be Free.

The Friday markets will open in the afternoon at 4pm and run into the evening until 8:30pm. Saturday’s hours will be 11am to 3pm. Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance at noon on Saturday, December 5th. A festival type atmosphere is expected with music and entertainment.

“We’re excited to provide an opportunity like this to the community,” said Volcanoes’ co-owner Lisa Walker. “Folks are looking for things to do and this is a perfect fit and something the entire family will enjoy.”

Vendors and entertainers can apply to participate by contacting Lisa Walker at [email protected] or text 503-851-3111 as vendor space is limited.

Vendor benefits:

Easy load-in, load-out (drive right to your booth)

High profile location adjacent to Interstate 5 and Keizer Station Shopping Center

Large 16’ x 20’ paved sites that are socially distanced

Expansive 12-acre site

Promoted through the power of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes’ social media platforms (ranked #2 in the nation).

13,000+ facebook followers, 6,000+ twitter, posted on 100+ facebook groups.

Advertised on Volcanoes Stadium Interstate 5 marquee with over 250,000 impression each day.

Posted and promoted on EventBrite and expected local media exposure.

Association with highly respected community organization and well-known venue

Free Admission ~ Plenty of on-site Free Parking

Professionally managed with over 30 years of event management experience

RV dry camp available for vendors

For details contact Lisa Walker [email protected] or text 503-851-3111.

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.

Greenville Drive host civic-minded 'Day of Action'



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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Hometown Hero: Kim Elkins

 

SPOKANE, Wash. – When school districts started to close as a response to the COVID-19 outbreaks in mid-March, many faced the issue of continuing to provide meals for students in need. With the help of her team, Kim Elkins, the Nutrition Director for the Mead School District, made it her mission to provide kids in the district a dish of normalcy by continuing to provide breakfast and lunch. The district, comprised of seven elementary and one middle schools, set out to serve cold meals at 16 different locations that families could take home to heat up for the kids. Between March and August, a total of 238,044 breakfasts and lunches were served to the community. With help from Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, Mark Oswalt and their team, Kim coordinated with the transportation department to deliver meals from the school’s warehouses to the distribution sites. They’d be set up for 30 minute windows so that kids from more rural areas would have access without far drives. Several school bus drivers helped distribute the meals, some even dressing up in themed outfits to bring some fun to the pickup. The kids loved it and some would follow suit and dress up in themes as well. As the 2020-2021 school year starts, the Spokane Indians are excited to feature Kim as a Hometown Hero for the impact she has made on our community, especially over the past six months. Kim’s efforts helped ensure that kids were still being fed. The Spokane Indians had the chance to chat with Kim to find out more on this important project and the work that went into making it such a success.

SI: How long have you served as the Nutrition Director with the Mead School District? What is your favorite part of the job?

KE: Eight years, the best part is working with a great team that cares immensely about making sure kids are fed well-balanced meals that support learning.

SI: What was your particular role in implementing the meal pickup program?

KE: I coordinated the change from the normal serving model to one we had never implemented before. This included an overhaul of staff responsibilities, procurement of available supplies and food, communication with district and community members, transportation of meals, and implementing staff safety protocols. COVID-19 changed functions of every nutrition program. All school nutrition professionals in the area were happy to accept the challenge to ensure kids were fed during closures.

SI: What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced to successfully implement this program?

KE: Building the airplane in the air! Different aspects of staffing may have been one of the biggest challenges. We needed to create a new type of work environment that made our available staff feel safe while producing meals for our community with continually evolving health and safety recommendations. With schools across the nation facing similar obstacles, it was a challenge finding food and packaging supplies to keep our program running smoothly. There was undoubtedly a lot of coordination that made this successful.

SI: Who were the key players along the way?

KE: Mark Oswalt, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services; Brian Liberg, Director of Transportation; Jolene Andres, Executive Assistant for the Superintendent Communication Expert; and our nutrition and transportation team members. It was inspiring to see people from other school departments pitch in to feed kids.

SI: 238,044 meals served for breakfast and lunch is an incredible amount, how does that compare to typical numbers for the school district?

KE: Typically, we serve 6,000 meals per day that is spread across 13 buildings with 45 staff. With the meal pickup program, we were producing meals out of 2 kitchens with staff who assembled and then helped hand out meals with our bus drivers.

SI: Now that the 2020-2021 school year has begun, what plans does your team have in place moving forward?

KE: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of free summer meals through December 31st. We are excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to our students attending school in person starting September 14th. We are also offering free weekly meal kits for families whose children are choosing full online learning and hybrid learners for non-in person school days. It is a big challenge to operate our meal programs in the schools in addition to a “to go” meal program. But again, our team has stepped up and are working to make sure it happens knowing how important food is for student learning.

SI: Outside of your work with the school district, what hobbies do you have?

KE: I ride my three horses in endurance races and on local trails, garden, and cook.

SI: What is your favorite quote?

KE: “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.” – Margaret Thatcher

About the Spokane Indians – The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is available for online orders and curbside pickup.

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Cutters to Hold Free Drive-Thru Trick or Treat Event

 

The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced a free trick or treating event for children and their families. Boomer’s Drive-Thru Trick or Treat will take place in the parking lot of BB&T Ballpark on Halloween night from 6pm-8pm presented in part by Backyard Broadcasting.

The event will be hosted by Boomer, the Cutters popular mascot, and give children age 14 and under in costume, the opportunity for a fun, safe trick or treating experience. Over a dozen other exhibitors, including some of Boomer’s mascot buddies, are slated to be part of Boomer’s Drive-Thru Trick or Treat.

Crosscutters Vice-President of Marketing and Public Relations Gabe Sinicropi stated, “With COVID-19 impacting many of the usual Halloween activities in our area, we simply wanted to give children and their families a safe way to do some trick or treating.”

All participants will be required to stay inside their vehicle as they receive treats from the Williamsport Crosscutters and other area businesses. CDC Halloween recommendations will be observed including;

· All exhibitors wearing protective masks and gloves

· All candy individually wrapped and in treat bags

· No-contact trick or treating where children (or parents) pick up the treat bag instead of it being handed to them

Those attending the event are asked to enter the BB&T Ballpark lot via the 4th St. entrance only. Cars will exit at the back of the stadium on Bieber St.

More information on Boomer’s Drive-Thru Trick or Treat is available by calling the Cutters Hotline at (570) 326-3389 x1100.

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: Least Of These

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In 2019, over 1 million pounds of food came through the Least Of These food pantry and into the hands of Christian County residents.

During the COVID-19 pandemic this year, that number has only increased.

Least Of These is the only full-service food pantry serving Christian County—one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri—and the cities of Nixa and Ozark, serving over 850 families a month in a normal year.

But due to the impacts of COVID-19, this year has seen an increase of 32% in families requesting assistance. That increased need has increased the pantry’s food distribution by 116% over last year.

The staff at Least Of These, which is now working with far less help than at the beginning of the pandemic due to many National Guard volunteers being recalled, has continued to meet demands for hundreds of people who often must choose between paying for food or paying for rent and utilities. And that’s why they’re this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

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

“Least Of These continues to serve the most vulnerable in our community amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Least Of These Executive Director Kristy Carter said. “The way our clients receive food is different right now, but the amount of food and the support each family feels when dealing with us has not changed. It is our commitment to continue to serve families in need in Christian County.’

“We have created and are following an emergency response plan to help those who are faced with food insecurity. As these times are scary and unknown, we will continue to provide food and hopefully remove that fear and anxiety.”

But as the fall and winter months approach, Least Of These continues to need the help of an ever-caring Southwest Missouri community to ensure that its families receive the resources they need.

“The past couple of weeks have demonstrated that it will be difficult to raise the necessary funding to continue to provide food for families faced with food insecurity in Christian County,” Carter said. “In one day alone this week, we served 266 Christian County families and we expect those numbers to continue to increase significantly as we rapidly approach the holidays.”

Least Of These began in 1998 as a community outreach project of a Nixa-based church. Over the past two decades they have grown from providing food assistance to seven families to over 10,000.

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. Least Of These relies on generous food and monetary donations from the community to provide assistance to struggling families. And they also rely on volunteers.

To get involved with Least Of These, visit leastofthesefoodpantry.org.

For more on what Least of These is doing for Christian County on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/leastofthese.

Least Of These, Inc. is the only full-service food pantry serving Christian County. We feed around 900 families a…

Posted by Least of These, Inc. on Friday, September 18, 2020

Tulsa County Election Board Names ONEOK Field Early-Voting Location

 

The Tulsa County Election Board has announced that ONEOK Field will be used as the early voting location for the November 3rd election. ONEOK Field is normally home to the Tulsa Drillers, but it will open for three different periods for Tulsa County voters to complete ballots for the November election.

Throughout the country, several stadiums and arenas have been chosen as voting locations to help provide safe facilities for voters during the COVID pandemic.

The Tulsa County Election Board will be conducting in-person, early voting at ONEOK Field on Thursday and Friday October 29 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday October 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The election board is anticipating record-breaking voter participation for this three-day early voting period.

“We are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers in downtown Tulsa, as our chosen location for in-person, early voting,” said Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman.

“The ONEOK Field location will enable Tulsa County voters to vote at a large, centrally-located venue where our staff and resources can be combined to ensure the success of our early voting teams and to assist in the implementation of CDC guidelines. These guidelines includes adequate room for large crowds and social distancing in a covered but open-air facility that helps prevent the spread of COVID. The venue is ADA compliant, has ample available parking areas, is easily accessible by public transportation and is a well-known and familiar location.”

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to ONEOK Field management and the Tulsa Drillers team for offering the voters of Tulsa County the use of their location for this event,” said Freeman.

The election board is encouraging voters to wear masks and social distance while voting.

Freeman added that since the election board we will be utilizing all available staff members to facilitate early voting at one large site, the Tulsa County Election Board will not be available for early voting but will be open for other business, including in-person absentee ballot drop-off. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at ONEOK Field.

It is the first time that ONEOK Field has been utilized as a voting place. It joins other sports venues in large markets that are being used in this election, including Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and the Toyota Center in Houston.

“We are thrilled to be able to make ONEOK Field available for early voting and to help provide a safe, outdoor, polling location for all voters, including those with health concerns,” said Drillers President Mike Melega. “It’s a simple, yet impactful, way that the Drillers organization can give back to a Tulsa community that has always been there for us.”

Quick facts for early in-person voting for the November 2020 Presidential Election

Location: ONEOK Field (201 N Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120)

Dates and times: Thursday, October 29, 2020 8am-6pm
Friday, October 30, 2020 8am-6pm
Saturday, October 31, 2020 9am-2pm

Blue Wahoos’ Employees Available To Lend A Hand At Local Non-Profits

 

In their season without baseball, the Blue Wahoos were still able to spend the summer bringing the community into the ballpark.

Through varied events, the Wahoos worked to provide an outlet for families in the community to enjoy a safe, affordable night out while most other entertainment options were limited due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All-in-all, the team held over 130 community events during the months they would have been playing baseball in a regular year.

With school back in session, the team transitioning into their would-be off-season, and many of the restrictions lifted across the community, the Blue Wahoos are again pivoting to help the community in new ways.

Beginning this week, the Blue Wahoos have made their staff available to help local non-profit organizations across Pensacola.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to meet our mission to make a difference in our community by reaching out area non-profit organizations,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager and community relations coordinator, who is directing efforts for staff help to area organizations.

“Everybody has been so appreciative of what we have been doing here at the stadium with our events and we’re so thankful for the support of our community. This is an opportunity for us to reach out and take it a step further and give people the help they are needing now.”

Area non-profits who would like to request volunteer help from the Blue Wahoos can do so by clicking this link. Through the link, registered 501c(3) non-profit organizations can supply the dates help is needed, a description of the project volunteers will help complete, and the number of helpers needed.

“Our mission as an organization is to help improve the quality of life in our community, and this is a great direct opportunity to do that,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “A Minor League Baseball team has people on its staff with such varied skills, from groundskeeping to sales to website building to graphic design to event planning. We’re confident we can help find a staff member with the right skills to help local organizations no matter the project.”

The volunteer effort meets a quest by team owners Quint and Rishy Studer when they announced their decision in April to maintain full employment for the front office staff. The Blue Wahoos are among just a small handful of professional sports franchises at any level that did not reduce their staff during the ongoing pandemic.

“Quint and Rishy kept all of us on, and in return, the plan has been for us to help if we can with non-profit agencies,” said Striano. “If we have available hours, we can offer our staff to do whatever a non-profit organization might need. Whatever we can do to ease some of the burden that the COVID situation has created for them. We know that a lot of non-profits have probably been hit really hard. Lay offs have affected numerous local non-profits and the pandemic has made it difficult to find needed volunteers.”

Thanks to the commitment by the Studers, all front office employees, trainees, and interns kept their jobs for the season.

“It has been incredible to watch (the Studers) lay out and live out the mission they set for the organization,” Striano said. “In Minor League Baseball, and this being a smaller business industry, you get to know a lot of people working with other teams. Watching many of my friends in this industry be furloughed or lose their job entirely was heartbreaking and made me incredibly grateful for the opportunities we have here. It’s special to be with the Blue Wahoos.”

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: SeniorAge

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — From the very beginning of COVID-19’s impact in the United States and around the world, the most vulnerable population has been our seniors.

Suddenly, people couldn’t hug—or even visit—their parents or grandparents. Couldn’t offer them help on a daily basis.

Here in Southwest Missouri, SeniorAge filled that void in a big way. And they’re this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

Since 1973, SeniorAge has been serving thousands upon thousands of seniors in 17 counties in our region, primarily serving those aged 60 years and older and serving based on need—not income. The work they do plays a key role in a senior’s ability to remain independent and live at home.

In a normal year, part of that work includes serving over 1 million meals to seniors through home delivery and in their dining rooms.

But when COVID-19 hit and transitioned into a worldwide pandemic that reached us here in Missouri, SeniorAge was forced to close its senior centers to the public.

Yet the rate of meals and the volume of help only increased.

“From the beginning of the COVID interruption in mid-March when many organizations were forced to close their operations to the public, SeniorAge worked diligently to ensure seniors in our 17-county service area continued to receive meals and services that kept them safe in their homes,” SeniorAge Marketing Director Juli Jordan said.

Since the shutdown began back in March, SeniorAge has provided over 750,000 meals to seniors at no cost—maintaining home delivery and instituting a no-contact drive-thru program.

“Our home-delivered meal program nearly doubled in volume to serve vulnerable seniors who could not get out for groceries and food,” Jordan said. “And our telephone reassurance program saw an increase in customers who wanted a friendly phone call and wellness check. Seniors have come to trust us for guidance, information, and direction.”

SeniorAge’s telephone reassurance program exists purely for joy and wellbeing. Seniors receive a friendly phone call from a caring staff member to check on their personal well-being and to provide a kind ear just to listen and talk.

“During a time of social distancing, seniors can often feel isolated and forgotten about,” one Non-Profit Heroes nominator wrote. “The telephone reassurance program is similar to having a best friend to talk to when times are tough.”

SeniorAge staff have made over 26,000 wellness calls to local seniors, completed nearly 5,000 tax returns at no charge, distributed over 1,100 farmers market vouchers, and provided over 42,000 units of “information and assistance” to help guide seniors through these difficult times.

They also started a text and e-mail alert program to ensure safety and inform about possible COVID-related scams, created new virtual counseling and online wellness videos, and provided transportation trips through carGO to those who needed help getting to health centers.

The farmers market vouchers alone account for over $65,000 of fresh food from local farmers for seniors.

And they’ve done all of this while maintaining their full pre-pandemic staff.

“We all follow alongside our CEO Starr Kohler, who has empowered us with the confidence and resources we all need to be successful,” Jordan said. “Every employee has moved through this pandemic with compassion, courage, and an eagerness to deliver winning service at a time when so many felt alone and scared.’

“The way we operate now is a little different than six months ago, but we look forward to the day when we can safely reopen our doors to allow seniors to enjoy meals, activities, and programs among friends in one of our 36 activity centers. Until then, we will continue to do what it takes to ensure safety and security at home.”

To keep track of all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, visit springfieldcardinals.com/heroes.

Do you want to 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 SeniorAge, visit senioragemo.com/contact.

For more on what SeniorAge is doing for our region on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/senioragemo.

SeniorAge is located at 1735 S. Fort Ave. in Springfield, Missouri.

Chihuahuas to Host Virtual 9-1-5K Presented by Texas Gas Service

 

EL PASO – September 15, 2020 – The El Paso Chihuahuas announced today their first virtual race, the 9-1-5K presented by Texas Gas Service. Named after El Paso’s area code “915”, registration for the virtual 5K run/walk will begin today (9/15) and conclude on September 30 and will benefit the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts.

Registration is $30 per person with proceeds benefiting the El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation. Included in the fee is a participation tee shirt and one $9 voucher for a future Monday-Wednesday 2021 Chihuahuas game. For each entry sold, one voucher will be also donated to a frontline worker who has been helping those affected by COVID-19.

Participants will have one week to complete the 5K starting on Thursday, October 1 and ending on Thursday, October 8. Each participant may choose to walk, jog, and/or run and the 5K may take place outdoors, indoors, on a treadmill, etc. Each participant’s distance must be logged using any step app on any device (not included in the entry fee and is at participant’s own cost) and a photo of the distance must be submitted to info@epchihuahuas.com with the headline “9-1-5K Completed.”

Participants are also encouraged to take photos and tag @epchihuahuas on social media with the hashtag “#EP915K” for a chance to be featured on the respective Chihuahuas accounts.

Availability is limited and the event is expected to sell out. Fans may register HERE. Additional online fees may apply. Tee shirts will be mailed and/or available for pick up on a future date.

The El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation was established in 2014 to create a positive financial and cultural impact on families and children in the community through creative programs and events.

For more information, visit epchihuahuas.com, text (915) 533-BASE or email info@epchihuahuas.com.