Squirrels Double Efforts for Toys for Tots

Team Collects Nearly 17 Bins of Toys at 2nd Annual Holiday Party

Parney the Elf, Santa Claus, the United States Marine Corps and the Richmond Flying Squirrels collected nearly 17 bins full of new, unwrapped toys during the 2nd Annual Holiday Party at The Diamond on Saturday. Many gracious fans braved the elements as the team collected more than double the amount of toys (eight bins) that the Inaugural Holiday Party netted in 2009.

“We have a phenomenal base of fans and community supporters,” said Parney the Elf. “We are continually amazed at their generosity and are grateful that we are able to stage events like this that allow them to participate and get involved in a fun way.”

During the event, party-goers visited Santa Claus and had their pictures taken by Real Life Studios, enjoyed Christmas crafts, warmed up with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and enjoyed a baseball-themed raffle.

Flying Squirrels fans filled nearly 17 bins to aid Toys for Tots. (Photo courtesy of the Richmond Flying Squirrels)

Students Score Big with ‘Score an A’ Program

The Richmond Flying Squirrels‘ Score an “A” Free Ticket Program presented by Union First Market Bank was a huge success in its inaugural year, and the program will be available once again during the Flying Squirrels’ 2011 season.

The value of tickets redeemed during the 2010 season was over $18,000.

“The Flying Squirrels are always striving to make an impact in the Richmond community in a positive manner, with the school systems being one of our main focuses,” said Flying Squirrels Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “The ticket program is a way for us to reward those students who push themselves to excel in academics.”

Every “A” on a student’s current K-12 report card during the third and fourth marking periods earned them a FREE General Admission ticket to a Richmond Flying Squirrels home game. Each “A” was good for one ticket per game–for example, if a student earned 8 A’s they would receive 8 General Admission tickets to 8 different games.

“The ‘Score an ‘A’ Free Ticket Program’ is a fun way to reward hard work and achievement or to provide that little extra incentive to push for a higher grade,” said Harry A. Turton, Jr., Richmond President of Union First Market Bank. “Union First Market Bank is headquartered in Richmond and is the largest community bank serving the Richmond-area. We are a proud sponsor of the program and hope the students will enjoy watching the Flying Squirrels as much as our teammates enjoy watching them play.”

Students cashed in on nearly $18,000 worth of tickets in 2010.

THUNDER FANS DO “GOOD DEEDS”

On Saturday, August 14, the Trenton Thunder hosted the first ever “Good Deed Game” with over 200 fans participating by making at least one donation to the four drives held outside the stadium.

The event featured a blood drive to benefit the Community Blood Council of New Jersey, a school supplies drive to support the learning center at the East Trenton Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a non-perishable food drive to benefit the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and a toiletries drive to support HomeFront.

Of the over 200 fans who made donations, 25% supported one organization, 40% made two donations, 31% supported three drives and 4% donated to all four.

“We always say we have the best fans in baseball and their giving nature really backed up that statement,” said Thunder Director of Community Relations Patience Purdy. “It was a lot of fun to see families with little kids getting excited about making a donation to help others.”

The Community Blood Council of New Jersey Blood Mobile collected 20 pints of blood, enough blood to potentially save 60 lives.  The 20 pints collected is the highest of the three drives held at Waterfront Park this year.

The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank collected 814 pounds of nonperishable food.  Mercer Street Friends notes that the amount is enough to supply a family of four with food for two months.  In the last two years, Thunder fans have donated over 1,700 pounds of food for the food bank through Trenton Thunder drives.

While quantifying the amount of school supplies collected is difficult, Patty Hughes, the Development Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Trenton Area said, “The Habitat volunteers were overwhelmed with the response from the game attendees.  They mentioned that the bags of school supplies filled their car.  Please know how much the HFH-TA staff and the community appreciates the generosity of the Trenton Thunder and the fans.  The work and the commitment of all of the non-profits in Mercer County is amazing in these tough economic times. ”

HomeFront, an organization that helps families break the cycle of poverty, collected over 250 personal care items – shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bandaids, bar soap, toothpaste tubes and other toiletry items that will be put to use in their Family Preservation Center and other residences.

“Trenton Thunder fans are fun people with great big hearts!  The personal items that were collected cannot be bought with food stamps and provide a lot of comfort to people in genuine need,” said Anita Hanft, Director of Mission Advancement for HomeFront.

The Thunder provided incentives to fans who supported these local non-profit organizations.  Fans who donated to any one of the causes received a ticket to the Thunder’s Fan Appreciation Night vs. Akron on Thursday, September 2 at 7:05 pm.  People who donated to any two of the drives received the game ticket and a Thunder hat.  Individuals who supported three causes got the ticket, hat and on September 2nd they will be recognized on the field and throw a ceremonial pitch before the game. Those who support all four drives got everything plus a food voucher.

Squirrels Salute the Troops!

On Saturday, June 19, the Flying Squirrels partnered with Budweiser to honor the troops for Military Appreciation Night. Hundreds of soldiers and military personnel enjoyed a game at The Diamond.

Support US Armed forces collected donations by offering acorn cut outs to fans to show their support of the troops and raised over $1200 dollars that was used to make care packages for the troops overseas!

The Squirrels also held a “Camo Jersey off the Back” Auction raising over $1,390 with all proceeds benefiting the Robert E. Lee Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) that supports soldiers at Fort Lee and throughout central VA.

Fans were entertained by WWE Hall of Fame Wrestler Sergeant Slaughter and were given a camouflage baseball cap as they entered the gates, courtesy of Budweiser.

SGT. Slaughter leading the crowd in Take me out to the Ballgame!

2010 Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athletes Recognized June 4th

On Friday, June 4, 2010 the Fisher Cats Foundation awarded its annual Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athlete Scholarships. Each year the foundation awards $2,500 scholarships to ten New Hampshire and two Massachusetts college-bound students. The twelve scholar-athlete scholarship recipients are selected based upon their academic success, athletic achievement and active citizenship.

The 2010 recipients and their families were invited out to the Fisher Cats game where they were recognized down on the field before the game. Fisher Cats President, Rick Brenner, presented each the Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athlete with a certificate as his/her name was being announced.

After the pre-game ceremonies the scholar-athletes and their families were treated to a barbeque buffet out in left field in the Poultry Products Dinner in the Den, where they had the opportunity to meet members of the Fisher Cats Foundation as well as past scholarship winners.

“The Fisher Cats would like to congratulate the 2010 Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athletes and their families,” said Fisher Cats President, Rick Brenner. “We would also like to thank all those who support the Fisher Cats Foundation and their continued efforts in making this night possible.”

Since 2007, the Fisher Cats Foundation has awarded over $110,000 in scholarships.

Fisher Cats President Rick Brenner with the 2010 Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athletes

Students “Go Nuts for Reading!”

In the Flying Squirrels Inaugural Season, we also launched our inaugural reading program, “Go Nuts for Reading!”. Elementary school students throughout the Greater Richmond Area participated by reading eight books over two months to earn a ticket to a Flying Squirrels game this past spring. While at the game, students were recognized by participating in a pre-game parade around the warning track led by Nutzy!

To encourage the children to read, Nutzy and his friends went out to the schools and put on assemblies talking to the students about the benefits of reading, our reading program and Nutzy even acted out “Casey at the Bat”! The classroom that read the most books total from each school district was rewarded with a pizza party and visited by a Flying Squirrels player and Nutzy!

In our first year, over 32,100 students participated within nine school districts!

Nutzy and kids after on-field parade to celebrate reading program
Nutzy at a reading assembly acting out “Casey at the Bat.”

CPR “Certified” Fun at The Diamond!

On Saturday, May 29, the Richmond Flying Squirrels teamed up with the Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross for CPR Grand Slam!  Residents in the Greater Richmond area took an online class and then finished their CPR certification training in the outfield at The Diamond! Participants were greeted by Nutzy as they checked in, then taken down on to the field to finish training.  Once the course was completed, the newly certified patrons earned a ticket to that night’s Squirrels game and were recognized for attending the life saving training! The youngest participant certified was 13 years old–he tossed out the ceremonial first pitch!

Red Cross CPR training on the outfield
Nutzy and our first pitch winner after completing CPR training at only 13!

Tribute to the Peanut Night Supports Central Virginia Food Bank

On Tuesday, May 18, the Richmond Flying Squirrels teamed up with the VA Peanut Growers to raise awareness about peanuts and the need for peanut butter for the Central Virginia Food Bank. People that brought a jar of peanut butter to the game to donate to the Central Virginia Food Bank were entered into a drawing to win an authentic Flying Squirrels practice jersey. Along with raising awareness about a great organization that is in constant need of support, we had a lot of fun as well as we were not only joined by two peanut mascots (one from the Virginia Peanut Festival & one from VA Diner) but also Peanuts characters Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy! Samples of peanuts were distributed to our fans as fun was had by all in a tribute to one of Virginia’s most well known foods, the peanut!

Two happy Squirrels fans donating for a great cause!
Peanut Mascots helping with an on-field contest-Peanut Ring Toss!

Trenton Thunder Players Help Build A Home

Seven players for the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity home build in East Trenton this morning.

The players who took part in the event were: RHP Grant Duff, RHP Eric Wordekemper, RHP Ryan Pope, RHP David Phelps, RHP D.J. Mitchell, OF Austin Krum and IF Justin Snyder.

The players worked on a duplex that has been under construction since March 2009.  They helped put  the “finishing touches” on the home including the installation of lattace to the back porch and working on the ceiling of the front porch.  One of the homes is expected to be completed and turned over to the new owners on Friday, April 30.  The Thunder front office staff spent December 2, 2009 at the same location installing sheet rock and siding.

Thunder pitcher Eric Wordekemper works on a home in East Trenton
Thunder players Eric Wordekemper (left) and Austin Krum (right) put the finishing touches on a home in East Trenton

Baysox Take The Plunge

The Bowie Baysox took an icy plunge today at Prince George’s Stadium after missing the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 30, due to inclement weather. The team raised more than $350 to benefit the Special Olympics Maryland for the event.

Communications Manager Tom Sedlacek did not want to disappoint everyone who contributed. “Personally, I was really excited to participate in the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge. Being from Minnesota, I felt I was up for the challenge,” Sedlacek said. “The weather may have kept me from attending on Saturday, Jan. 30, but the Baysox raised all that money to benefit the Special Olympics Maryland, and we took matters into our own hands. We created our very own bay here in Bowie.”

Baysox Communications Manager Tom Sedlacek and his assistant Rob Bartlett prepared for the Polar Bear Plunge at Prince George’s Stadium. Bartlett was responsible for making sure the water temperature in the pool matched that of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Baysox lovable mascot Louie congratulated Sedlacek for taking the plunge.

Louie’s Holiday Hope Project Helps 35 Kids

The Bowie Baysox and several community partners were able to help 11 families, including 35 kids, through Louie’s Holiday Hope Project this year. The team worked with Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, Bowie Youth & Family Services, Lloyd And Associates Real Estate Group and the Bowie Police Department to help more than twice as many families as last year.

Toni Savia from Youth & Family Services noted the importance of the project. “It is absolutely vital. Things are hard for an awful lot of people,” Savia said. “It is so wonderful that you all are available to do so because help is slim this year. We thank you all very much, these families are very much in need.”

Nine of the families helped through the project were from Bowie and the other families were from Pasadena, Md., and Manchester, Md. The Baysox and their lovable mascot Louie donated food and toys to the families.

Yvette Harmon, the mother of one of the families helped through the program was thrilled to see Louie with gifts. “Thank you so much, you don’t know how much we needed this,” Harmon said. “Desperate times, desperate situations.”

This holiday season was the third time the Baysox facilitated the program. Last year, the Baysox and their partners were able to help five families with food, toys and winter coats. The team intends to bring the project back in 2010 and looks forward to working with their community partners.

Prince George’s County Fire Chief Eugene A. Jones looks forward to helping with the project next year. “It provides a great deal of joy and satisfaction to our volunteer and career membership of the Fire/EMS Department to assist those in need,” Jones said. “We are proud to partner with Louie and the Bowie Baysox in this community based relief effort. We look forward to helping again next year.”

Louie loves helping his friends through Louie’s Holiday Hope Project.
Louie and members of the Baysox took a picture with their friends from Bowie Youth & Family Services.

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.