Inaugural Float for the Fund Raises Over $2,475

Thanks to the help of local celebrities the Inaugural Shorebirds Float for the Fund was a huge success. On Sunday, August 23 beginning at 5pm WBOC Meteorologist Dennis Ketterer, Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, Sheriff Mike Lewis, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, District States Attorney Davis Ruark and the B95.3 & 101.7’s Karen Stevenson began serving delicious rootbeer floats made up of Georgeo’s Vanilla ice cream and MUG Rootbeer to hundreds of fans, and when it was all said and done over 1,500 floats were dished out to some very happy Shorebird Fans.

Here are some of the stats of the day: 495 commemorative cups sold at $5 apiece, 74 gallons of icecream, 104 2-liters of MUG rootbeer and hours of hard work from our celebrity scoopers. All of this help raised $2,475 for the Shorebirds Community Fund, a newly founded fund through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, which will be used by the Shorebirds to assist in local youth sports programs.

The Shorebirds would like to thank everyone who helped in support of the event and we look forward to doing it again next season!

Charleston RiverDogs Donate $25,000 For Research to Fight Blindness

The Charleston RiverDogs again made a sizeable donation to the Medical University of South Carolina’s Storm Eye Institute for research to fight blindness.

The $25,000 donation comes primarily from the RiverDogs’ 10th Annual “Kindness Beats Blindness” auction that was held on June 20.  Money also came from the 5th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Silent Auction on January 30 that featured Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry and the 4th Annual “Fun Is Good” Golf Tournament on May 19.

The ceremonial check was presented Wednesday night prior to the RiverDogs game with the Delmarva Shorebirds.

“We thank the RiverDogs and their fabulous fans for the gift of $25,000 to support eye research at Storm Eye Institute,” said Toni McHugh, the Institute’s Director of Development.  “This gift is very significant, and the money will be used toward the quest to save and restore sight.”

“The entire RiverDogs family remains overwhelmed by the continued support from the Charleston community for this worthy cause,” said General Manager Dave Echols.  “We are able to continue offering unique items for the auction that appeal to everyone as the event grows each year.”

Blindness became the RiverDogs’ primary charity when RiverDogs president Mike Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa several years ago.  Veeck and his wife, Libby, have dedicated themselves and most of their charitable efforts toward fighting blindness.

“As an ophthalmologist, I want to provide hope to patients like Rebecca and their families,” said Dr. M. Edward Wilson, Director of the Storm Eye Institute.  “The research at Storm Eye Institute, made possible by donations like this, is the hope.  Our researchers are committed to finding cures and treatments for these blinding eye diseases and making it possible for people like Rebecca to see again.”

“The generosity of the Charleston RiverDogs organization enables Storm Eye Institute to develop new treatments for a variety of eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa,” said Dr. Craig Crosson, Director of Research at Storm Eye Institute.

Ports Thank Supporters for Book Giveaway aid

The Stockton Ports were proud to add to their efforts to promote literacy through baseball, by welcoming acclaimed author Larry Tye to Banner Island Ballpark on Thursday, June 18, to discuss his latest book about Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.”

The Ports and Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hosted the appearance in support of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program, The Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County, and The Friends of the Stockton Public Library.

The Stockton Ports would like to thank the following people for their generous support. Without them, the Ports would not have been able to give away 350 copies of the new biography, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend” by acclaimed author Larry Tye to fans at the June 18 game.

•The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
•Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program
•Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County
•The Friends of the Stockton Public Library Stockton Sports Commission
•United Way of San Joaquin County in honor of Gordon Medlin
•Comcast
•Goldstrand Planning Group
•California Water Service Company
•Humphrey’s College
•Stockton Delta Rotary
•F&M Bank
•Servicemaster Building Maintenance
•Mayor Ann Johnston
•Doug Wilhoit, Frank Ferral, and Mikki Gilbert Melvin Boles
•John & Francesca Vera
•Andy & Carol Prokop in memory of Gordon Medlin
•Bill Loyko & Susan Mora Loyko
•William Murray
•Gary Gillis
•Stephen Barney
•San Joaquin Sheriff Stephan Moore
•Marilyn Bewley

…and all of the fans and community members that supported this event in hopes of raising literacy awareness and the history and story of Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues.

“We are very proud to be able to work with the Mayor, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and so many other groups to present this event,” said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. “Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues are an important part of baseball history, and we are excited to be able to share such a well-researched book with so many children.

Save Our Shriners Event a Success

The SeaWolves partnered with the “Save Our Shriners” Hospital of Erie organization on Sunday at Jerry Uht Park and helped to generate the largest single-day fundraising event for this worthy cause.

On Sunday as the ‘Wolves battled the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Erie fans showed their generosity in helping the battle to save the Erie Shriners Hospital for Children.

Over $2,300 was raised through ticket redemptions, 50/50, Chinese Auction for autographed items, autographed jersey silent auction, merchandise and donations.

“We are so happy that the SeaWolves plShriners-hospital-for-childayers, coaches and front office staff were able to help with the efforts to save the Shriners Hospital,” SeaWolves Team President/General Manager John Frey said, “The fact that we were able to generate the largest single-day event speaks volumes of our fans and the Erie community in rallying behind this cause.”

The day could also not have been pulled off without the help of the Erie SeaWolves Booster Club who helped staff the event and sell 50/50 tickets.

Stone Crabs Raise $2,400 for Susan G. Komen Foundation

The Charlotte Stone Crabs baseball team raised $2,400 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation after auctioning off their game-worn, pink jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness during Friday’s game at Charlotte Sports Park.

The Stone Crabs partnered with Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte to put on the “Pink in the Park” event in which Stone Crabs players traded their usual white home jerseys for pink versions in an effort to promote breast cancer awareness as they defeated the Fort Myers Miracle and claimed first place in the Florida State League South division. Every jersey from the team was sold during the in-game auction, including the highest individual jersey for $200 and a team-signed jersey for $375.

“Once again, our fans showed their tremendous support and made this a terrific night for the Susan G. Komen foundation,” said Joe Hart, general manager of the Stone Crabs. “We’re glad that we have the opportunity to do special things like ‘Pink in the Park’, and we really appreciate Advanced Imaging for helping us put on this great event.”

All proceeds from the auction benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation which is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. For more information on the foundation, please visit ww5.komen.org.