Helpful Home Runs: Highmark partnering with SWB to benefit local food bank

 

MOOSIC, PA (September 9, 2021) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are proud to partner with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to raise money for National Hunger Awareness Month. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will donate $10 for every home run that the RailRiders hit during the 2021 season to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has hit 120 home runs so far this season, putting the current donation total at $1,200. The RailRiders have 21 games remaining this season, including the remainder of the regular season and The Final Stretch.

“We are proud to partner with our friends at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on this important initiative,” said Brian Rinker, Market President at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “Now more than ever, we want to support local organizations that address hunger and food insecurity in our community. We wish the RailRiders the best of luck for a successful finish to the season!”

In our region, one in six children and one in eight adults face hunger each day. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank is a Feeding America partner and works to reduce hunger and promote proper nutrition in addition to preventing food waste. The Food Bank serves four counties in Northeast Pennsylvania: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming.

“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has been a great partner over the years and we appreciate their support of the Northeast Regional Food Bank,” said Katie Beekman, the RailRiders’ General Manager. “We have all seen the disheartening statistics and truly hope that this program can benefit those in need in NEPA. Now it’s time for the RailRiders to finish strong.”

For more information, visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-BALL.

M-Braves, Humana hosting Food Drive at Trustmark Park, Sept. 7-10

 

PEARL, MS – In partnership with the Mississippi Braves, Humana will be hosting a canned Food Drive benefiting the VA Food Pantry from Tuesday, September 7 through Friday, September 10 at Trustmark Park. Any fan that donates 2-or-more canned goods at the Trustmark Park Box Office between 10 am-3 pm will receive a $3 Field Level ticket for the September 11th game against the Montgomery Biscuits.

The Mississippi Braves will host their final homestand, September 7-12, against the Montgomery Biscuits at Trustmark Park. The homestand will feature the last Thirsty Thursday of 2021, Drew Waters MVP Statue Giveaway, Kid’s Backpack Giveaway presented by the Mississippi Department of Health, First Responders, and Military Appreciation Night on September 11, and Post-Game Fireworks presented by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Commissioner Sean Tindell. For a complete list of promotions and to purchase tickets, visit mississippibraves.com, or call 888-BRAVES4.

For any more questions on the Humana Food Drive, please contact Garrett Butler at 601-664-7630 or [email protected].

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

Aces hosting Saturday toy drive with Ashlee’s Toy Closet for fire victims

 

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces are partnering with Ashlee’s Toy Closet for a toy drive prior to this Saturday’s game against the Tacoma Rainiers. Fans will be able to drop off items beginning at 4:30 p.m. PT for the 6:35 p.m. PT game at Greater Nevada Field. The supplies will go directly to help children affected by the various fires in our area, including the Tamarack, Caldor, Dixie and Beckwourth Complex fires.

The drive will be looking for new toys, new socks and underwear packs, new blankets and gift cards for families to use on meals, gas or general needs.

“All of us as the Aces are Nevadans who are heartbroken to see community suffering at the hands of wildfires,” said Aces president Eric Edelstein. “We pledge to support those on the front lines of this disaster just as we have the last and will do the next.”

“The Aces have supported Ashlee’s Toy Closet for several years in the form of donating toys so that they can be delivered to children who have lost everything due to fire,” said Aces general manager Emily Jaenson. “What we respect most about Ashlee is her response time to help people right here in our own community. She sees a need, fills her truck, and delivers toys into the hands of children when they need them most.”

Ashlee’s Toy Closet started in South Lake Tahoe 14 years ago after the Angora Fire. Ashlee Smith, the daughter of a firefighter, started the organization which is currently providing boots-on-the-ground support of all evacuees from the Caldor fire.

BlueClaws to Host School Supply Drive on September 10th

 

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – The BlueClaws will host a School Supply Drive at their game on Friday, September 10th. Fans are asked to bring school supplies to the game for the drive hosted by BlueClaws Charities. Items can be dropped off at the New Jersey Natural Gas Information Booth on the concourse behind home plate.

Items that can be dropped off include, but are not limited to: notebooks, binders, markers, pens & pencils, crayons, backpacks,

Any fan that donates school supplies will receive two complimentary tickets to BlueClaws Opening Night in 2022.

Friday’s game includes Post-Game Fireworks thanks to New Jersey Lottery and is a part of Locals’ Summer, presented by Rothman Orthopaedic Institute.

For tickets to Friday’s game or any other game next week, click here.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

Bats To Host Peanut Allergy Awareness Night Tuesday, Aug. 31

 

LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Louisville Bats are hosting Peanut Allergy Awareness Night to open their upcoming homestand on Tuesday, Aug. 31 against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) at Louisville Slugger Field. To provide a safe environment for families and children with peanut allergies, no peanuts, peanut-related products or items made with nut ingredients will be sold or permitted at Louisville Slugger Field throughout the entire game.

[BUY TICKETS HERE]

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch for the Bats and Sounds is 6:30 p.m.

Louisville Slugger Field will be completely pressure washed by the team’s cleaning crew to ensure a peanut-free experience for fans. This promotion will allow fans – especially families with younger children – the opportunity to enjoy baseball at a Bats game without experiencing symptoms of peanut allergies.

Tuesday night’s game is also $1 Menu Night with chips, hot dogs, popcorn and Pepsi products available for just $1 each throughout the game, courtesy of Meijer, Pepsi and iHeart Radio.

Top prospect Hunter Greene is expected to start for the Bats Tuesday against the Sounds.

For additional information, contact the Bats front office at [email protected] or (502) 212-2287.

Drive to Host Mobility Night August 26

 

The Greenville Drive are excited to host the first-ever Upstate Mobility Night August 26 at Fluor Field. Gates open at 6 PM while first pitch is at 7:05 against the Hickory Crawdads.

Teaming up with the Drive for the event is the Upstate Mobility Alliance. They will have booths on display throughout the concourse to show the future of electric vehicles, bikes, buses and charging stations.

There will also be t-shirt and water bottle giveaways throughout the evening.

Click here to get your tickets!

Dragons to Recognize “Community All-Stars” Recipient During Game on August 17

 

*Dayton, Ohio *— The Dayton Dragons will recognize The Hope Center for Families as a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Tuesday, August 17 against the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark. The game will start at 7:05 p.m. In addition, half of the 50/50 proceeds will be donated to The Hope Center for Families.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters or police officers, doctors or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

More than half of children in the City of Dayton live below the poverty level. The statistics show that when those children grow up, they are likely to continue the poverty cycle to their children as well. The “poverty cycle” often persists across multiple generations unless that cycle is interrupted through outside intervention.

The Hope Center for Families was developed to interfere with the poverty cycle in Northwest Dayton, giving families the support and hope needed to grow and advance into sustainable living wages.

The Hope Center for Families is an initiative by the Omega Community Development Corporation that focuses on the two-generation model – a model that targets low-income children and their parents simultaneously. The center will focus on the three main factors that aid in the reduction of poverty through workforce, health, and educational development.

Mini University, Sinclair Community College, and Dayton Children’s Hospital will have a significant presence within the Hope Center. Mini University will operate an early learning program within the center. Sinclair Community College will offer certificate programs for adults to further their education, allowing them to gain higher wages. Dayton Children’s Hospital will aid in childcare.

The Center plans to start transforming the lives of the people of Northwest Dayton as soon as the door open in Fall 2021.

Vanessa Ward, Omega Community Development Corporation president, said her dream once the center is open would be that when people walk in, they will be greeted by people that care.

For going above and beyond to improve the quality of life in Miami Valley, The Hope Center for Families is being honored as a Dragons Community All-Star.

Help support the development of The Hope Center for Families at the following links:

You can nominate other individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for the Dayton community at www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

This event is the fourth of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Presenting sponsors are Flying Ace Express Carwash, CenterPoint Energy, Great Clips, and Synchrony. An additional tribute is schedule for September 1, focused on a different individual or organization who has gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark and are scheduled to play 18 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

Bats Team Up With Humana, UPS & LSC For “Playing It Forward” Item Drive

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats have partnered with Humana, Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) and UPS to host an item drive for the “Playing it Forward” initiative during Thursday’s (Aug. 12) game against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) at 6:30 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Fans who donate new or gently-used youth sports equipment will receive a voucher for a FREE hot dog and Pepsi product to be used during Thursday’s Bats game.

Donations can be made at any of the four gates to Louisville Slugger Field upon entrance to the ballpark Thursday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

The Playing It Forward initiative is designed to provide new or gently-used youth baseball or softball equipment to low-and moderate-income families, with the goal of eliminating the cost of equipment as a potential barrier to participation in organized sports.

The Bats, Humana and LSC also previously teamed up in April for the first item drive of the 2021 season. Fans generously donated sports equipment during the Bats’ Open House event and were treated to an intrasquad scrimmage between members of the Cincinnati Reds’ Alternate Training Site team at Louisville Slugger Field.

For additional information on LSC, visit louisvillesports.org.

Fans can purchase tickets to Thursday’s game by clicking HERE.

Dash to Host Fill the Stands with Cans Night

The Winston-Salem Dash, in partnership with the Piedmont Triad Apartment Association (PTAA) and WXII will host the eleventh annual Fill the Stands with Cans Night as the Dash take on the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Saturday, August 14th at Truist Stadium.

This event benefits Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, an organization whose mission is to eliminate food waste and eradicate hunger throughout the Carolinas. Fans are encouraged to lend a helping hand by donating non-perishable food items or cash, both of which will be collected by volunteers stationed around the stadium on Saturday.

According to Jon Lowder, Executive Director of the PTAA, the Fill the Stands with Cans campaign has given the organization’s annual food drive a tremendous boost over the last few years. Second Harvest can provide seven meals for every $1 raised, so every dollar donated makes a big impact. Food donations are equally important, as they can be effective immediately.

As a thank you from the Dash and the PTAA for helping support Second Harvest, any fan who brings a non-perishable food item or cash donation to Saturday’s game will receive a ticket voucher that can be redeemed for any remaining 2021 Dash home game, excluding Saturday night’s game. Vouchers can be redeemed at the PTI Box Office, which is open leading up to all home games and from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday on non-gamedays.

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for Saturday’s 6:00 p.m. game against the Grasshoppers. Tickets are still available for purchase for by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visitinghttps://www.milb.com/winston-salem/tickets. Following the game will be Kids Run the Bases, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem.

WooSox to Host “Peanut Allergy-Friendly Nights” for both Tuesday Games in August at Polar Park

WooSox play the New York Mets’ Syracuse team August 10

and the New York Yankees’ affiliate in a twin bill August 17.

WORCESTER, MA – Addressing the desires of many families in Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Red Sox will present “Peanut Allergy-Friendly Nights” at Polar Park on Tuesday, August 10 and Tuesday, August 17. The club hopes to create a more comfortable opportunity for fans with peanut allergies to attend WooSox games at Polar Park.

Because the 2021 baseball schedule provides off days on Mondays, the WooSox are able to do a deep cleaning of the seating bowl, the concourses, and the DCU Level on the Mondays prior to each Peanut Allergy-Friendly Night. On each of those nights, the sale or consumption of peanut products will not be allowed.

The WooSox play the Syracuse Mets at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, and they play two games against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders starting at 4:35 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17. The Mets are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, and the RailRiders are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The August 17 date is a resumption of a game suspended on July 17 and again on July 18, due to rain at Polar Park. The 9-inning game will resume in the top of the 6th inning with no score. It will be followed by the regularly-scheduled 9-inning game.

“We have attended Major League Baseball meetings and seminars that have heightened our awareness and enlightened us about the plight of families who need to be so cautious of peanuts and related allergens,” said WooSox Vice President of Marketing Brooke Cooper. “We were truly touched by how many families seek to come to baseball games if only they can be assured that the ballpark will be friendly to those with this serious allergy. We view these two dates as a pilot as we consider our plans for 2022. We welcome feedback at [email protected].”

LP Frans Stadium to Host Disability Dream & Do Camp

 

HICKORY, NC – Six local Rotary Clubs, with the generous support of the Hickory Crawdads and their parent club, the Texas Rangers, are offering a Dave Clark Disability Dream & Do (D3Day) Baseball Camp to children and young adults with varying disabilities along with their families and caregivers on Saturday, August 28th at LP Frans Stadium. The camp will run approximately from 10am-12pm.

The camp is a professional style baseball camp and will be staffed by numerous volunteers from the Crawdads, the Rotary Clubs, and the baseball teams from Lenoir-Rhyne University and Catawba Valley Community College.

The camp is free to participants. Pre-registration is required at www.D3Day.com. Interested families should select “events” on the website; then click on the Crawdads logo. A tab for participant registration is on the left-hand menu. All participants will receive a free t-shirt and cap, and lunch will be provided. Volunteers may also pre-register by selecting the volunteer registration tab on the same menu.

“The Crawdads organization is about making life-long memories and we can’t wait to be a part of the Disability Dream and Do Camp and help do just that for the participants and their families,” Crawdads General Manager Douglas Locascio said.

The Rotary project has been titled “The 100 Years of Rotary Disability Camp” to celebrate 100 years of Rotary service to local communities. According to Kelly Farr, president of the Rotary Club of Hickory, it is a demonstration of how Rotary does good in the world.

“Rotary is a huge international organization, and our local clubs support a number of worldwide projects but we especially value service to the local communities,” Farr said. “This project allows six clubs to join hands and offer something very special to the often underserved and forgotten population of wonderful disabled children.”

D3Day sports camps were created by Dave Clark, the only pitcher in professional baseball history to pitch on crutches, and Doug Cornfield, a medal winning runner at Georgia, who himself has a son born without arms. The Crawdads’ camp will also feature Emmy award-winning ESPN analyst Dave Stevens who was born without legs but played college football and hockey as well as professional baseball.

The Dave Clark camps allow children with any disability to interact with college and professional athletes in various drills and compete in sports with no limitations. There will be various stations to learn baseball skills and a “high five game.” The event will conclude with an award ceremony for participants.

Check-in for the camp will begin at 9:45am and will wrap up with lunch at noon.

Deaf Awareness Night Returns to Pelicans Ballpark

 

 

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are proud to announce the return of Deaf Awareness Night to Pelicans Ballpark on Saturday, August 14. The night, which is presented by Young Talkers, marks the 3rd annual event for the team.

To increase awareness and raise funds for the deaf community, the Pelicans will wear specially-designed jerseys, courtesy of Young Talkers, that replace the traditional Pelicans script with American Sign Language. The club will auction off the commemorative jerseys with proceeds benefiting Pelicans for the Deaf.

In an effort to create an inclusive experience for members of the deaf community, sign language interpreters will be infused into the Pelicans’ game day experience. The night will also include a silent inning, and the Seventh Inning Stretch will be sung by Nicole Herrera – Miss Summerville Teen, and Jason Hurdich, an RID certified deaf interpreter, will accompany the evening’s national anthem singer.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. for the 6:05 p.m. game against the Charleston RiverDogs. For tickets and information visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com, call 843-918-6000, or stop by the Anderson Brothers Bank Box Office at Pelicans Ballpark. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ABOUT YOUNG TALKERS: Young Talkers is an adult & pediatric therapy clinic located in Myrtle Beach, SC and Pawleys Island, SC. Their mission is to provide quality speech-language and feeding/swallowing therapy services to the pediatric and adult population in order to enhance their verbal/non-verbal communication and feeding/swallowing skills. They accomplish this by identifying concerns through specialized evaluations and the development of goals to meet the needs of the patient and their family. Young Talkers has received first place in Best of the Beach for six years in a row for Best Medical Clinic, Group or Office. For more information, visit them online at YoungTalkers.com__.

Back to School Night with Kids Backpack Giveaway is Friday, August 6th

 

The Clearwater Threshers are hosting Back to School Night on Friday, August 6th at BayCare Ballpark, with a Kids Backpack giveaway, school supply drive, and recognition of National Teacher of the Year, Sarah Painter from our neighbor, Eisenhower Elementary.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. game with the Bradenton Marauders. Arrive early, as the first 1,000 kids 13 and under will receive the Threshers backpack giveaway compliments of Kelli’s Catering & Events.

Be sure to bring school supplies to donate, check the list below for a great BOGO ticket offer!

PDF Flyer – School Supplies Donation Drive – Eisenhower Elementary

Autism Acceptance Night presented by Unum – Early Entry Tours

 

As part of Autism Acceptance Night taking place on Saturday, July 31, the WooSox will offer early entrance paired with a Polar Park tour for families and groups with autistic individuals who plan to attend that evening’s game. Early entry will begin at 1:00 PM and can be accessed by Gate C. Fans will be required to show a ticket for that evening’s game, with the tour being a free addition, highlighting Polar Park’s sensory-friendly areas and accommodations. Fans can register by CLICKING HERE.

M-Braves to host Autism Awareness Day on Sunday at Trustmark Park

 

PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves have partnered with William Carey University to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against Autism this Sunday, July 22, when the M-Braves host the Biloxi Shuckers at 2:05 pm.

Mississippi Braves players and coaches will wear special Autism Awareness jerseys, featuring the Braves logo across the chest with Autism Awareness puzzle pieces. A silent auction will be held at Trustmark Park beginning when gates open at 1:00 pm for fans to bid on each player and coach’s jersey. The current M-Braves roster features 11 of the Atlanta Braves top 30 prospects, including 2019 first-round selections Shea Langeliers and Braden Shewmake. Immediately following the game, players will autograph their jerseys for the auction winners. In addition, the jerseys will be signed by the player that wears them. The silent auction will end after the last out of the 6th inning.

Proceeds to the jersey auction will benefit TEAAM, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Mississippians with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, or Specific Learning Disabilities by cultivating and enhancing family and community supports.

“TEAAM has been honored to support the autism community now for more than two decades,” added Dr. Mark H. Yeager, executive director of TEAAM Autism. “We have just completed our 21st summer of providing summer camp fun for youth and adults with autism. Over those years we have seen numerous families benefit from what we see as our mission, providing community-based experiences and access to recreational events such as this event partnering with the Mississippi Braves! It is partnerships such as these with William Carey University and the Mississippi Braves that allow us to continue to grow the opportunities for individuals and their families. And of course, we are honored to have both Mississippi teams on the field for our day in the sun!”

The M-Braves and William Carey University aim to create an environment that will allow families dealing with Autism to enjoy a day at Trustmark Park while raising awareness for Autism, a disorder that affects one in 59 American children. Sunday is also Family Fun Day, with post-game kids run the bases after the game.

“William Carey University is proud to support the efforts of Dr. Yeager, our faculty member and coordinator of our special education department, and his TEAAM organization in all of the work they do in the field of autism,” said Ben Burnett, Ph.D., executive vice president at WCU. “He has dedicated his entire career to serving those with special needs and WCU is proud to have him teaching and leading on our campus.”

For tickets to Sunday’s game and information on upcoming promotions, visit mississippibraves.com, or call 888-BRAVES4.