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

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!

Miracle Roll Sleeves Up to Help Community

Miracle Cares is a community outreach program that was founded in the Fall of 2008. The Fort Myers Miracle front office staff recognized the need for volunteers in the community and took it upon themselves to be those people. Each month the Miracle volunteer some of their work time to helping local organizations in need. This year organizations such as the CCMI soup kitchen, Ronald McDonald House and Salvation Army were assisted in there drive for helping others.

Thursday, April 15th the Miracle pushed up their sleeves and went to work in the kitchen of the Ronald McDonald house cooking some ballpark favorites for dinner. “It’s something simple for us to do and yet the families have been very appreciative” says General Manager, Steve Gliner.  The Miracle lent a hand at the local soup kitchen earlier this year, serving over a hundred people within just a couple hours.

The team turned full circle when they visited the Children’s Hospital on April 26th. The visit consisted of stopping at the Oncology/Hematology, Intensive Care and Surgical units. Children’s faces lit up with joy seeing professional ball players walk into their room to visit. Some kids jumped right into their arms, while others took a little time to warm up to. The kids took to the players right away and began cracking jokes and giving high fives. At the end of the day the kids were just kids, all illnesses momentarily aside.

Miracle Players from left: Tony Davis, Chris Herrmann, Dan Rohlfing, Brad Tippett

BANDITS AWARD INAUGURAL KEITH LUCIER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In a moving ceremony during Saturday night’s River Bandits game at Modern Woodmen Park, Amanda Stahle was introduced as the recipient of the inaugural Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship. Her first full year as a student at the University of Iowa will be funded by the Bandit Scholar Program when she embarks on her college career next fall in Iowa City.

Stahle, a senior at Bettendorf High School was selected from an impressive pool of applicants from the Quad Cities area that are planning on heading to Iowa for their college studies. Based on the application and interview process, conducted by a committee consisting of Keith’s family, friends and co-workers, it was determined that Stahle most exemplified the type of person that Lucier was. She is extremely active in education, athletics and community involvement. All qualities that were critical in selecting the ideal candidate for the scholarship.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to sincerely congratulate Amanda on winning this scholarship,” said Bandits owner Dave Heller. “She is a young lady very deserving of this scholarship for all that she does in the community and her dedication to bettering herself through education. I have no doubt that success lies in Amanda’s future and we are delighted that we can help through the Bandit Scholars program.”

This year’s scholarship reflects the beginning of the Bandit Scholars program. Bandit Scholars was founded by River Bandits owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt and it is funded by fan donations and fund-raising efforts by the River Bandits. The Lucier Scholarship is named for former River Bandit assistant general manager, Keith Lucier, who passed away suddenly in April, 2009 from a brain aneurysm. It is an annual scholarship that is designed to give a Scott County student free tuition for their first year of school at the University of Iowa and a summer internship with the River Bandits.

“We were searching for somebody that reflected who Keith was,” said River Bandits General Manager Kirk Goodman. “Based on Amanda’s application, we knew she was a strong contender for the scholarship. When we had the pleasure of speaking to her in person, there was no doubt in our mind that she was the ideal candidate to represent Keith and all he stood for as the recipient of the scholarship.”

Amanda Stahle of Bettendorf is the first recipient of the Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship (Photo courtesy of Quad Cities River Bandits)

RoughRiders Host 3rd Annual ‘Riders Bowl

The Frisco RoughRiders Foundation hosted their 3rd Annual ‘Riders Bowl tournament on Wednesday, April 21st at Main Event in Frisco, TX. The entire 2010 RoughRiders Team participated in the event and all funds raised went to the Frisco RoughRiders Foundation.  The event raised over $6,000 for the RoughRiders foundation through registrations and silent auction/raffle ticket sales.

Over 100 people participated in the event and 19 out of 20 lanes were sold. First place was claimed by the team headed by ‘Riders pitchers Zach Phillips and Ryan Falcon. Second place went to the team that included infielder Marcus Lemon and the third place team included catcher Kevin Richardson.

All proceeds from the event benefited the RoughRiders Foundation.  The RoughRiders Foundation’s mission is to help families in North Texas through programs and events. In 2010 the Foundation has partnered with Frisco Family Services, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, Gilda’s Club North Texas and The Frisco Miracle League.

Frisco RoughRiders Players before the bowling tournament.

 

 

 

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

“Pack the Park” Charity Program Expands for 2010

Once again this season Mondays at Arvest Ballpark will feature our popular community outreach initiative called “Pack the Park For Charity” as several different non-profit service agencies will enjoy the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for their specific cause. Each non-profit organization will generate revenue through the sale of discounted Naturals tickets for their specific game. This season the program will extend to Wednesday night games during the summer.

The selected charities will sell six dollar reserved tickets to a Naturals Monday or Wednesday home game, with a different major charity pre-selected for each Monday or Wednesday. The normal reserved ticket price is eight dollars. Three dollars per ticket sold will be given back to the charity. Supporters of the particular charity can also order tickets online or at the ticket window with a special unique codeword supplied to the charity to facilitate such sales. The more people “in the house” at Arvest Ballpark each Monday or Wednesday – the more revenue generated for the worthwhile cause.

The charities with their respective home games and pertinent contact information for the organizations are listed below:

5/17/2010: ALS Asscociation (Danielle Wood, 479-621-8700)
5/24/2010: The Jones Center (Jake Fout, 479-756-8090 ext. 2139)
6/2/2010: Miracle League (Peggy McCall, 501-940-3405)
6/7/2010: Kendrick Fincher Foundation (Rhonda Fincher, 479-986-9960)
6/21/2010: Ozark Guidance (Jane Guyton, 479-695-1240)
7/5/2010: Elizabeth Richardson Center (479-872-1800)
7/26/2010: Pagnozzi Charities (Sarah Eldridge, 479-443-2550)
8/4/2010: Children’s House (Ben McClintock, 479-872-7479 ext. 16)
8/9/2010: Single Parent Scholarship Fund (Anne Jackson, 479-750-4971)
8/18/2010: Circle of Life (Jessica Young, 479-750-6632)
8/23/2010: American Cancer Society (Lindsey Bowers, 479-750-2493)
9/2/2010: American Diabetes Association (Lori Jones Branlett, 479-464-4121 ext. 6859)

Each week’s Pack the Park Charity partner will also appear on the Jay and Brock Show on Hot Mix 101.9 the week prior to their date and some may also appear on KNWA News to raise awareness for their cause. To purchase tickets supporting these charities for their respective nights, please contact the charity using the contact information listed above.

For more information about Pack the Park for Charities, please contact Amanda Potter with the Naturals at 927-4900.

Lookouts, SunTrust and Fans Team Up to Benefit Food Bank

The Lookouts have partnered with SunTrust Bank to introduce “SunTrust Sundays” to benefit the Chattanooga Area Food Bank at AT&T Field this season.

For every Sunday game this season, with the exception of July 4th, fans are encouraged to bring canned food items to AT&T Field to put in the bed of the Lookout’s Dodger Blue antique truck parked outside the stadium. On SunTrust Sundays, each fan that donates food items will receive a free general admission ticket for that Sunday’s game. Tickets will be distributed on a “per person” basis and are subject to availability. The canned food items will be donated to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

“We are excited to partner with SunTrust to help the Chattanooga Food Bank, and utilize this opportunity to help our community, too.” said Lookouts Owner/President/General Manager Frank Burke.

“SunTrust Bank is looking forward hosting SunTrust Sundays and helping strike out hunger,” said Alexandra Santiago, Director of Sales and Marketing at SunTrust. “SunTrust Sundays is a solid partnership that enables us to encourage Lookouts Fans to help the Chattanooga Area Food Bank while enjoying a ballgame at AT&T Field.”

The Chattanooga Food Bank, whose mission is to feed the hungry by linking America’s food bounty with those in need, distributed nearly 8.8 million pounds of food to more than 125,000 families in need last year.

“The Food Bank is excited that Lookouts fans are joining our mission to feed the hungry. Food donated at Lookouts games will help replenish our Emergency Food Box pantry,” said Gary Paul, Development Director of the Chattanooga Area Food. “During the past two years, we have seen a big increase in demand for food assistance. Last year we gave out 17,000 food boxes to families in our community, twelve percent more than the year before. I cannot think of a better way to fight hunger: help your neighbors and see a great game!”

RiverDogs Team Up with Charleston Miracle League

Fans who frequent Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on a nightly basis hear the crack of the bat, the roar of the Charleston faithful and the laughter and joy that permeates the air.

In another part of Charleston, there exists another game for those who will never play in the big leagues, but the enthusiasm and teamwork that persists makes this a league where dreams become reality.

The Charleston RiverDogs most recent monthly volunteer project involved an afternoon spent with the Charleston Miracle League, which gives children and adults with special needs (i.e. mental and/or physical challenges) the opportunity to play baseball, for free, in formally organized league at a state-of-the-art complex in the City of Charleston’s Forrest Park Playground located in West Ashley built specifically for them.

“The City of Charleston and our fans have brought so much joy to Joseph P. Riley Park through the years,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “It’s always great to get the opportunity to give something back to our deserving community, especially by teaming up with such a great organization as the Charleston Miracle League.”

The heart of this complex is our specially designed, rubberized-surface Joe Griffith Miracle Field, which allows players to fully participate regardless of their challenges. In addition, our complex boasts a fully functional concession stand, press box, covered picnic pavilion and handicap accessible restroom suites complete with lifts. Covered stands with viewing platforms ensure that everyone, regardless of his or her abilities, can enjoy watching a Miracle League game.

In addition, the CML is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that teaches volunteers of all ages, who typically serve as buddies for our players, the value of giving back to others and their community.

The Charleston Miracle League also engages in a yearly partnership with the Cooper River Bridge Run called “Bridging the Gap Through Baseball.” Interested participants may sign up for the bridge run as a representative of the league with 100% of the proceeds raised from this going directly to helping the Charleston Miracle League fund their Youth and Adult league programs. For 2010, the Charleston Miracle League has been selected as one of the official 2010 Cooper River Bridge Run charities.
For more information about the league or to donate or become a volunteer, visit the league’s website online at www.charlestonmiracleleauge.org.

Legends ‘radiothon’ benefits Big Brothers, Big Sisters

A “radiothon” staged by the Lexington Legends and the LM Communications radio group raised $8,200 in donations to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass.

LM’s Lexington radio stations presented special segments highlighting the BBBS program Friday, February 26 from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The live broadcasts originated from Fayette Mall in Lexington and featured LM personalities as well as Legends representatives. Listeners were invited to call and make donations to BBBS, and the Legends donated 50 percent of any baseball ticket sales made during the radiothon to BBBS.

“For many years now, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass has played a critical role in the development of kids and youth in our community, changing countless lives for the better,” said Legends Director of Marketing Seth Poteat. “Along with the good people at LM Communications, we’re proud to be associated with such an important organization and look forward to continuing our relationship during our 10th anniversary season and beyond.”

The LM group’s Lexington stations include WLXG -1300 AM, WLXO – 96.1 FM, WBVX – B92, WGKS- KISS FM 96.9, WCDA – Your 106.3, and WBTF, The Beat 107.9.

The Legends and LM communications have been partners for Legends game broadcasts throughout the team’s history, with WLXG serving as the Legends’ flagship station. This year, the primary focus for the annual pre-season radiothon shifted from the sale of season tickets to the support of BBBS.

“The Lexington Legends are a class organization that cares deeply about the children throughout the Bluegrass region,” said Dale Suttles, CEO of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. “Our most sincere thanks go out to the Legends team, along with LM Communications, for a very successful event.”

Big Brothers of Lexington was chartered in 1957 as a non-profit corporation in Kentucky to serve boys from single parent homes. Big Sisters was added in 1977, and today the agency is known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, Inc. The organization’s mission is to create and support relationships that provide consistent, positive, one-to-one interaction between a single parent child and an adult volunteer who will be an advisor and friend on the journey from childhood to adulthood.

RiverDogs Paint House, Picture of Hope for Windwood Farm Children’s Home

While the Charleston RiverDogs have jumped full-fledged into their new “Be Your Own Fan” marketing campaign for the 2010 season, the slogan does not merely refer to individual perspective concerning gameday enjoyment and promotions, but also to what it means to support humanitarian volunteer efforts outside of the ballpark.

On Tuesday, the RiverDogs front office staff paid a visit to the Windwood Farm Home for Children in Awendaw to paint one of the organization’s houses and to learn more of its overall mission.

”Our monthly service projects allow us to give something back and show citizens that our goal is to be service-driven citizens both at Riley Park and in the community,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols.  “The responsibility that we have to serve the community is one that we proudly take, and are a fan of doing so.”

Windwood Farm Home for Children is a private, not-for-profit treatment facility for young boys who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or violent and unstable home situations.   Local businessman Joseph L. Tamsberg, Jr. founded Windwood Farm in 1985 when he donated property along the Wando River that borders Francis Marion National Forest in Awendaw.  For almost 25 years, Windwood Farm has helped hundreds of young boys deal effectively with their violent and abusive pasts and move toward a more hopeful future.

Windwood Farm provides residential group care services to 28 “at-risk” boys between the ages of 5 and 16.  These children are considered to be “at-risk” because they are most likely (because of childhood abuse and trauma) to engage in anti-social, self-destructive, and/or criminal behavior.  Their life circumstances have left them in need of intense, round-the-clock supervision and care by professionals trained in interventions that assist in the healing process.

Windwood Farm Home for Children will celebrate its Silver Anniversary on October 15, 2010 – a quarter century of service to children of the Lowcountry.  Since October 2009, in recognition of this milestone, Windwood has initiated a year-long celebration of their history and progress with a theme “25 Years of Restoring Hope to Children.”

As part of their monthly volunteer ventures, the RiverDogs have also donated their time at Crisis Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Keep Charleston Beautiful and the South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement (SCORE) program.

RiverDogs help Winwood Farms:

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.

Cookies with Claus–Over 100 Toys Collected for Toys for Tots!

The Delmarva Shorebirds would like to announce that at the Cookies with Claus event with the help of Santa and Sherman, Toys for Tots was able to collect over 100 toys which will be distributed to needy children around the Delmarva Peninsula this holiday season.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

Blue Rocks Donate Nearly Half a Million for Local Causes

The Wilmington Blue Rocks proudly announce that the 2009 season saw the team, in tandem with its marketing partners and fans, donate and raise $424,000 worth of contributions to local charities, schools and community organizations. The sum represents a collective of many different types of contributions with the majority coming from monetary and ticket donations.

“We take pride in being able to contribute at this level to youth and charitable organizations in the greater Wilmington area,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “I’m certain that we could not have done this without assistance from our 2009 marketing partners and fans that also played a large role in raising these funds.”

Blue Rocks concessionaire, Centerplate, allows community organizations the opportunity to volunteer at the concession stands during home games in return for a percentage of the money received at each stand. Thanks to this program almost $74,000 was given back to community organizations.

The Blue Rocks continue to support local youth baseball and donated over $1,600 as well as used baseball equipment to local Little League organizations.

Game-worn memorabilia auctions saw an increase in frequency and dollar amounts, helping to raise over $6,300. On April 19, the Blue Rocks wore purple hats to raise money for the Bernadette Farrell Memorial Fund as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Night. The Rocks sported pink jerseys on May 29 to benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

The Rocks wore camouflage hats on May 30 and August 1 to raise money for Delaware Boots on the Ground and USO Delaware. On July 3, Wilmington donned patriotic jerseys to support United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware (UCP). The Rocks wore Red hats on June 25 to raise funds for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. The Rocks also sported gold jerseys on Aug. 13 for Elvis Night to benefit the local chapter of the American Lung Association. Blue Rocks players went beyond the laundry too, donating game-worn cleats and batting gloves that were auctioned off for charity.

Almost 60,000 tickets were distributed to area schools over the course of the season. Mascot Rocky Bluewinkle led the charge to promote literacy with

his Reading Challenge, presented by the Delaware State Education Association. The Blue Rocks worked with local schools to reward kids who met their reading goal. In 2009, over 150 area schools were awarded a total of 57,000 tickets. Along with Rocky’s Reading Challenge the Blue Rocks donated over 2,500 tickets through programs like the IFS Outstanding Students Program, which allows teachers to reward students who display excellence in behavior and performance in the classroom.

The team also donated over 8,000 tickets to community organizations throughout the 2009 campaign with 6,000 going to local fundraisers, 1,000 donated to the USO Delaware to use for their soldiers and staff, and the remainder finding a number of other local non-profit organizations in need. Those same non-profit groups received another $2,000 worth of free/discounted video board advertising and concourse tables to promote themselves and their worthy events.

The Blue Rocks organized special events to collect money and goods for those less fortunate. Before the season, the team held a gift drive for kids at the Mary Campbell Center. The team also offered ticket discounts to fans that donated items to the Food Bank of Delaware. The Blue Rocks Charity Golf Classic, held at Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club on Aug. 17, raised over $1,500 for UCP and CHILD, Inc. in one day.

Community appearances proved a regular item on the team’s calendar. Mascot Rocky Bluewinkle and numerous Blue Rocks players visited A.I. duPont Hospital for Children at least once a month throughout the season in addition to other appearances. Rocky logged over 60 community service hours at schools and charitable events as well. Rocks’ players put in over 20 hours despite their grueling 140-game schedule over five-plus months time. The Blue Rocks visited schools and community organizations throughout the Delaware Valley, tallying over 40 hours of their time throughout the season.

The K’s for Kids Program presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSDE) completed its fourth season with great success. BCBSDE donated $10 to a local charity for every home game strikeout the Blue Rocks pitching staff recorded. Thanks to this program, BCBSDE presented Girls on the Run a check for $5,000 before the Blue Rocks game on Sept. 2.

Challenger Little League returned for its annual day of baseball on May 12. Teams from the league were able to play their games on Judy Johnson Field before the Rocks’ contest later that night in a tradition that has spanned over a decade.

During the last homestand of the regular season, the Wilmington police department collected donations for the daughter of a slain Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer. The generosity of Blue Rocks fans contributed over $5,000 to Aubrey Spicer’s trust fund.

Blue Rocks players (left to right) Clint Robinson, Adrian Ortiz and Ryan Eigsti joined with Rocky Bluewinkle for a visit at A.I. duPont Hospital during the season. (Brad Glazier)

Royals, Team’s Advertisers and Fans Aid Several Worthy Causes

The Omaha Royals increased their giving to local charities, community organizations and schools during the team’s 2009 season. The Royals, with the help of several of the team’s advertisers and its fans, donated more than $861,000 this season, mostly in the form of tickets and cash. That figure was up almost $40,000 from 2008.

“We continually talk about being engaged in the metro community and 2009 was again proof of our mission,” said Martie Cordaro, Royals Vice President/General Manager. “We are excited about what we have planned for 2010 and hope that new sponsors will join us so we can even further impact the community.”

Two season-long promotions generated over $11,000 in cash for two charities. The “Hurl the Pearl” promotion, presented by Nissan of Omaha and McDonald’s, raised almost $8,200 for the Ronald McDonald House. Werner Enterprises donated $2,870 to PlaySmart through its RBI promotion, in which the Royals’ 2009 presenting sponsor pledged $10 for each Royals RBI at home.

Once again in 2009, the Royals held silent auctions of various specially-designed jerseys and caps – autographed by the players who wore them –  during several home games. On June 6, an auction of baby blue jerseys and caps raised $2,155 for the Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program. The Royals wore red caps on June 27, with that auction and a $1 donation for every red item sold at the Royal Treasures Gift Shop netting $1,114 for the ALS Association. The fourth annual Strike Out Breast Cancer Night on August 7 featured an auction of pink jerseys and the sale of pink hats, providing $3,479 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. An auction of Royals black hats on August 28 raised almost $1,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, while a September 3 auction of baseball memorabilia generated over $1,400 toward the team’s $11,000 goal to support the AllPlay Foundation in 2010.

In 2009 the Royals donated thousands of tickets to their home games, with most of them being earned by school children through good work in the classroom. Almost 24,000 students from 74 area schools were encouraged to read books in exchange for tickets to Royals games in the Hit the Books program, which was presented by the Nebraska College Savings Program. Nearly 11,000 students from 70 area schools received tickets to the team’s April 20 game for the 10th annual Cox Communications Home Run for Youth Day. The Royals donated 25,000 Reserved Seat tickets for their August 8 game to the Omaha Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.  10,000 General Admission tickets went to the United Way for that organization to use as a “thank you” gift for their donors.  Also, businesses and season ticket holders donated over 2,800 Royals tickets to Baseball Buddies, with those tickets going to kids who normally wouldn’t be able to attend a game.

The team’s Community Organization of the Night program continued to grow in 2009. Partnering with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the Royals provided over $53,000 worth of advertising, booth space and tickets to 72 non-profit groups and gave them a forum on-field and on the team’s game broadcasts to talk about those organizations’ work in the community.

Royals fans brought more than 2,200 cans and boxes of Our Family Brand food to Sunday home games, with all of it going to the Open Door Mission. In exchange, those fans received more than $15,000 worth of tickets.

The Royals staff, players and mascots were also busy away from the ballpark, with the staff giving more than 400 hours and the players and mascots chipping in over 200 hours to community service and appearances. On June 11 alone, Royals staff members committed more than 50 hours of community service, in honor of the team reaching the 11-million fan milestone earlier in the season. On August 22, a dozen staff members, family, partners from Lovgren Marketing Group and Casey took part in an ALS Walk at Elmwood Park, raising $4,500 in pledges. The team held its annual golf tournament on August 31 at Pacific Springs, raising more than $2,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in honor of Royals manager Mike Jirschele’s family.