Syracuse Chiefs to host Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Friday, July 20

Event will raise money for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY

Syracuse, NY- The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are proud to announce the club will host its second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Alliance Bank Stadium on Friday, July 20, when the Chiefs host the Norfolk Tides. All money raised from the event will be donated to the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York, which gives $250,000 worth of grants to SUNY Upstate Medical every year for breast cancer research.

All fans are invited to attend a “Pink Cocktail Party” in Alliance Bank Stadium’s Hank Sauer Room with Carol M. Baldwin and her son, actor Billy Baldwin. Admission to the party is $50 per person and includes dinner, a game ticket, and parking pass. The Baldwin mother-son duo will throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch as well.

“As an organization, we’re glad to support such a worthy cause like the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York,” Chiefs General Manager John Simone said. “Hopefully, even if it’s only in small way, we can contribute to finding a cure.”

In keeping with the theme of Breast Cancer Awareness Night, Chiefs players and coaches will don pink and black jerseys and hats for the 7:00pm game with the Tides. Some players will also wear pink batting gloves and use pink bats and mitts. Additionally, Alliance Bank Stadium’s Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise cart will be set up, as it is for every Chiefs home game, to sell Pink bracelets, t-shirts, flip-flops, lanyards, and rings.

“The most important part of the fund is that 100% of the money that we raise locally stays locally and goes to research so that we can find a cure,” said Laurence Segal, a Chiefs employee and Carol M. Baldwin Fund volunteer.

Last year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Alliance Bank Stadium raised $6,000 for breast cancer research. In total, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY has fundraised more than $7 million for research.

“The Baldwin Family and the Simone Family are coming together with two passions,” said Elizabeth Baldwin, executive director of the fund. “One is baseball and the other is finding the cure for breast cancer, so that together we will find a cure.”

For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Night, contact Laurence Segal with the Chiefs at 315-474-7833. Tickets to the “Pink Cocktail Party” and all Syracuse Chiefs home games, can be purchased in person at the Chiefs ticket office at Alliance Bank Stadium, by calling 315-474-7833, or online at SyracuseChiefs.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Syracuse Chiefs. Click here to view the original story.

Bob Brown Bear goes ‘Dreamin’ at the Aquarium

Canadians Mascot cheers on kids as they get special night after hours at Vancouver Aquarium

Bob Brown Bear was more than happy to enjoy a night at the Vancouver Aquarium. (Alex Dachis)
Bob Brown Bear was more than happy to enjoy a night at the Vancouver Aquarium. (Alex Dachis)

(Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Canadians mascot Bob Brown Bear was thrilled to get a chance to attend ‘Dreamnight’, which is an annual event organized by the Vancouver Aquarium to share their facility with children that have life threatening illness.

These brave young children along with their families got the opportunity to visit the Aquarium past regular hours and connect with the aquatic animals and exhibits.

The night welcomed over 500 children and their families where they got to meet Bob, learn all about aquatic environments and animals as well as managed to see the famous Vancouver Aquarium dolphins and much more.

Many of the children were from BC Children’s Hospital and would not have had the opportunity to visit the Aquarium during regular hours due to their situation in the hospital.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club is proud to support local initiatives that give children the opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest.

Our thanks and admiration to all involved for giving so many children the chance to create a new and exciting memory as they fight to stay healthy and positive.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vancouver Canadians. Click here to view the original story.

Ports Hit Cancer out of the Park on Pink Night

Stockton-PortsThe Stockton Ports held their fifth annual breast cancer awareness night on August 26 at Banner Island Ballpark. All proceeds from the night benefited St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Breast Health Services. On this night, the Ports raised close to $5,000, bringing the total monies raised in five seasons to just over $25,000.

In 2010, Pink Night hit close to home with the Stockton Ports family when Becki Scarsone, wife of then manager Steve Scarsone, was battling through the disease. Today Becki is doing great and is cancer free.

Prior to the game against the Inland Empire 66’ers, the Ports hosted the second annual “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” presented by Turner Construction. The Ports recruited 24 participants who were eager to hit home runs to help fight breast cancer. Each softball that crossed the pink line in the outfield was counted as a home run. Fans were encouraged to make pledges to support the event. This year 73 home runs were hit, compared to the 48 hit in 2010. With the home run event alone, close to $500 was raised.

Stockton-Pink-ribbonThe roster for the event included Ports manager Webster Garrison, hitting coach Brian McArn, pitching coach Craig Lefferts, athletic trainer Nate Brooks, strength coach Chris Borgard, clubhouse manager Vic Zapien, Thunder Hockey front office staff, Ports front office staff, Port City Pirates Basketball head coach Wallace Bryant, Mega 100 representative Christie James, Sacramento Kings announcer Scott Moak, Eddie Maria from the Stockton Fire Auxiliary, California Cougars Soccer player Chris Handsor, DJ Walker from KAT Country, Norma DePauli from St. Joseph’s Medical Center, former San Francisco Giant Patrick Dobson, and the coaching staff from Inland Empire.

“Pink Night was such a success in 2010, so I had a lot of work ahead of me for the event this season!” said Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet. “Over all, the event went really well. We had a lot of great vendors out at the ballpark and a lot of people willing to donate to a great cause. The home run contest was a lot of fun and St. Joseph’s was happy at the end of the night, and that is what really counts.”

St-Josephs-Medical-Center-StocktonNot only did $1 from every ticket sold that night go to St. Josephs, but the Ports had a number of events going on through out the ballpark to help raise as much money as possible. Fans had the opportunity to bid on the specialty pink pinstriped jerseys being worn by the players, there was a 50/50 raffle, a player memorabilia raffle, specialty pink T-shirt sales, pink baseball sales for the Pink Wall, and KAT Country even raffled off tickets to an upcoming Taylor Swift concert. The popular ‘How Ya Bean’ kiosk also contributed by donating $1 for every pink Volcano drink sold that evening.

Before the game between the Ports and the 66’ers even began, nine courageous breast cancer survivors took the field with our players for the national anthem as Pink Ports. Each woman got to stand with a favorite player through the duration of the opening ceremony.

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A group of courageous cancer survivors joined the Ports player on the field as Pink Ports during the national anthem.

 

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From left to right, Ports hitting coach Brian McArn, athletic trainer Nate Brooks, pitching coach Craig Lefferts, manager Webster Garrison, and strength coach Chris Borgard all participated in the pre-game “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” presented by Turner Construction.

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Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet lost a bet with on-field MC Hot Rod & was pied in the face for charity in front of the Pink Night crowd.

 

 

Charleston RiverDogs Donate $25,000 to MUSC Storm Eye Institute

Yankees Affiliate Has Donated More than $450,000 in Past 12 Years

Charleston-RiverDogsThe Charleston RiverDogs have yet again left a large paw print on the fight against blindness and the disease retinitis pigmentosa.

Between games of Tuesday night’s doubleheader against the Greenville Drive, RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols presented a check for $25,000 to Dr. Ed Wilson, M.D. and representatives from the MUSC Storm Eye Institute.

The donation comes primarily from the RiverDogs’ 12th annual Kindness Beats Blindness auction that was held on June 25.  With turnouts in the thousands in each of the 12 years of the auction, the team and community as a whole have raised more than $450,000 towards preventative research for the degenerative eye disease.

MUSC-Health-Storm-Eye “We are grateful for the RiverDogs continued support in our quest to find cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa,” said Dr. Wilson.  “The RiverDogs’ generosity over the last 12 years has been crucial to the work that our vision scientists are doing in this area,”

The auction hits close to the RiverDogs’ family since Rebecca, the daughter of club president Mike Veeck was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration.  Veeck and his wife, Libby, have dedicated themselves and most of their charitable efforts toward fighting blindness.

“Our entire staff takes a great deal of pride in our combined efforts with the Charleston community to raise money for research,” said General Manager Dave Echols. “The grace with which Rebecca and the Veeck family have handled this disease is inspiring to observe.”

For more information on the MUSC Storm Eye Institute and their effort to battle RP and other degenerative retinal diseases, visit www.muschealth.com/eyes.

Storm Eye Institute Check Presentation 2011

2011 Frisco RoughRiders Foundation Grant Recipients Announced

The Frisco RoughRiders Foundation awarded 5 grants to The Special Olympics, West Dallas Community School, Plano Children’s Medical Clinic, Buckner International and the Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco during the 2011 season.

“The RoughRiders Foundation is thrilled to award our five grants to these deserving organizations,” said Michael Davidow, Director of the RoughRiders Foundation. “Each organization helps execute the RoughRiders Foundation’s mission of motivating and rewarding children and families in the areas of education, good health and community service activities.”

Each organization received a $1,000 grant from the RoughRiders Foundation to help continue its mission serving the North Dallas Community. 2011 marks the fourth year of the RoughRiders Foundation’s Grant Program and each of the five grant recipient organizations plan to use their grant in different ways.

“Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is truly grateful to the Frisco RoughRiders Foundation for the generous $1,000 grant,” said Margaret Larsen, SOTX President and CEO. “This funding will provide much-needed support to afford the opportunity for more than 400 local SOTX athletes to compete in an eight-week softball training program, followed by the chance to compete and go for the gold!”

Each organization that received a grant also received 4 tickets to a RoughRiders game and participated in an on-field check presentation.

Non-Profit Organizations interested in applying for a grant in 2012 can visit www.ridersbseball.com/foundation or contact Michael Davidow at mdavidow@ridersbaseball.com.

(Left to Right) Special Olympics Texas Development Director and Program Director, Alice Brimelow and Cyndi Murchison, and RoughRiders Foundation Director, Mike Davidow.
Buckner International President, Dr. Albert Reyes and his wife tour Dr Pepper Ballpark before their check presentation.

$157, 861.68 Raised at Granite State Baseball Dinner

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, today announced that $157, 861.68 was raised for charity at the Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental, on November 20, 2010.  Monies raised through dinner ticket sales, raffle tickets and silent and live memorabilia auctions benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD), the Ted Williams Museum and the Fisher Cats Foundation.

“We are thrilled to have held another successful evening of fundraising and entertainment with so many friends, fans, business partners and volunteers at the Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental,” said Fisher Cats owner and chairman of the Fisher Cats Foundation board Art Solomon.  “Thanks to the courtesy of our special guests and the generosity of our community, many wonderful memories were made to go along with meaningful financial contributions toward the worthy charities.”

“On behalf of everyone at CHaD, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Fisher Cats organization, the Ted Williams Museum and the hard working volunteer committee members who helped make the Granite State Baseball Dinner a resounding success,” said Paul Merguerian, MD, Director of CHaD.  “As New Hampshire’s only comprehensive, full service children’s hospital, we are extremely grateful for the Fisher Cats’ generous commitment to the children and families of NH.  It is because of acts of generosity and kindness like this that we are able to provide the very best care for all our state’s children regardless of their family’s ability to pay.  Thank you Fisher Cats-you are number one in our book.”

CHaD, the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, is New Hampshire’s only NACRI approved, comprehensive, full-service, family-centered children’s hospital.  CHaD offers compassionate care for the most critically ill and injured children throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, and beyond, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The proceeds received from the Granite State Baseball Dinner help CHaD further its mission to provide each child the best care, in the right place, at the right time, every time.  CHaD’s facilities include a comprehensive, full-service hospital in Lebanon, which is also home to northern New England’s only Level-I Pediatric Trauma Center, and outpatient facilities offering a full array of specialty care in Lebanon, Manchester, Nashua and Dover.  In southern New Hampshire alone, there are 53 specialists in over 16 pediatric specialties delivering care close to home for kids with chronic and acute illnesses. As a part of the renowned Dartmouth Medical School, with its stellar reputation for innovative research, CHaD’s physicians are among the first to know about advancements in technology and clinical practice, which translates to the best care for patients.

The goal of the Ted Williams Museum is to preserve and build on the rich tradition and heritage of our national pastime in a mission of outreach and education.  The proceeds received from the Granite State Baseball Dinner are instrumental in ensuring the museum’s continued existence and in providing for numerous youth baseball programs and scholarships for deserving student athletes.  The Museum also provides assistance to charitable organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, the Children’s Dream Fund, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and many more.

“We are so thrilled to be a part of a truly special event that brings fans and their sports heroes together, all for a selfless and commendable cause,” said Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame Executive Director Dave McCarthy. “We’d like to thank our partners the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and CHaD, and everyone who generously opened up their hearts to help us in furthering our mission of celebrating baseball through outreach and education.”

The Fisher Cats Foundation is a statewide charitable organization dedicated to bettering the lives of young people by supporting CHaD and providing scholarships to college-bound New Hampshire and Massachusetts students.  In 2010, the Fisher Cats Foundation awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 12 high school seniors and has awarded a total of $110,000 in scholarships since 2007.  With proceeds from the Granite State Baseball Dinner, the Fisher Cats Foundation also makes contributions to local and regional non-profit organizations such as City Year, the American Red Cross, the Monarchs Care Foundation, the Bella Tucker Fund and many more.

Local Publication Cites RiverDogs with Philanthropy Award

While the sound of bats cracking and the scent of hot dogs grilling may make Charleston RiverDogs fans smile while at The Joe, those same fans have even more of a reason to support the franchise while fancying even bigger smiles when the RiverDogs engage in any of their many community service activities,

Because of the organization’s positive impact in the community, the RiverDogs will be the 2010 recipient of the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist for the Charleston Region Award, as provided by the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

The citation will be presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals on National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 18 at the Charleston Marriot on Lockwood Blvd. with RiverDogs team president Mike Veeck accepting the award on the team’s behalf.

“We, at the RiverDogs, do things for the right reasons and our involvement in the local community is the right thing to do,” said RiverDogs general manager Dave Echols, who will be at the event. “We are constantly reminded by the first part of our name that Charleston as a community is important to us, and we keep that in the forefront of our minds every day. We’re active in the area for a multitude of reasons; the primary being that we are positioned to help and at the end of the day, we do.”

In their most recent issue, the Charleston Regional Business Journal cites the many involvements to the community that the RiverDogs involve themselves in throughout the calendar year. When not in season, the administrative staff closes the office for a day and, as a group, donates time and energy to a worthy cause, like Habitat for Humanity.

MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute is the RiverDogs’ primary charity, due in part to Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, suffering from a retinitis pigmentosa, a visionary disorder that left the personable teenager legally blind. However, not all of the club’s efforts are devoted toward fighting blindness.

The RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are deeply involved with the RBI Program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and the Boys & Girls Club by providing assistance with equipment and travel, while team members help with practices.

Additionally, the organization made a huge commitment to Charleston County Schools. They helped create a reading and fitness program for third graders, and participate in a sports and entertainment academy in the high schools to expose students to the business side of sports.

And during the season, each Monday night’s home game is appropriately billed as “Dogs with a Cause Night” and is devoted to a local non-profit organization as the group is positioned to share its mission with fans.

“The idea is that if you are interacting with the community and giving back, you will feel good, and in ways you are able to be an overall more well-rounded and happier person. And that will translate in the workplace,” Echols said.

“We let them choose what’s near and dear to their hearts,” he added. “We have 15-to-20 full-time staff, so that’s 15-to-20 different organizations that are receiving help from the RiverDogs.”

Fans share their valuable time during the season with the RiverDogs, so it is only fitting that the RiverDogs return that time in various charitable efforts to maximize the potential of community involvement.

And with the club’s “Be Your Own Fan” marketing initiative, the off-season contributions by the organization gives citizens another reason to be a RiverDogs fan.

Miracle Lend a Hand for Annual Helping Kids with Cancer Radio-thon

The Kids with Cancer radio-thon is an annual volunteer event for the Fort Myers Miracle. This year on October 15th the Miracle staff answered phones to take donations for the local Children’s Hospital. This year the community donated $147,000 for Barbara’s Friends and their fight against children’s cancer at the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Barbara’s Friends serves as the Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund for The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Their Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Outpatient Center has helped over 3,000 children who have been diagnosed since they’ve opened. Most the families of the children being treated are without insurance, but are never turned away.

This annual Radio-thon is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Barbara’s Friends with all proceeds going to fund programs, equipment and the children’s medical care.

Live Jersey Auction Raises Funds for Children’s Hospital

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers held a ‘Brewers Sunday’ promotion every Sunday home game as a tribute to their Major League affiliate Milwaukee Brewers. As part of the promotion, the players wore jerseys honoring the 1982 Brewers. Throughout the season, the Timber Rattlers promoted a live post-game jersey auction to be held on the last Sunday home game of the 2010 season.

Sunday, August 29th marked that last Sunday home game, and in spite of very warm temperatures and an extra-inning game, the live post-game auction resulted in proceeds well over $3000. A host of fans stuck around after the game to bid on their favorite players’ jersey for the good of charity while Representatives from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin were on hand to present each jersey to its winning bidder while the players stayed around for photos and autographs. The auctioneer even donated his time for charity.

Timber Rattlers slugger Chris Dennis’ jersey went for the highest bid at $275. Four other jerseys also went for over $200 (Scooter Gennett: $250, Cutter Dykstra: $225, Kentrail Davis: $225, Andy Sauter: $225). The Timber Rattlers also placed a few of the jersey up for bid via Minor League Baseball’s online auction service.

The event marked the first time the Rattlers hosted a LIVE jersey auction, which resulted in a total donation of $3,377 to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin…a definite success.

Timber Rattlers gather on-field next to the auctioneer who works to get top dollar for their jerseys.
Outfielder Kris Davis poses for a photo with the highest bidders for his jersey.

Stockton Ports raise close to $8,000 for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services

The Stockton Ports held their fourth annual breast cancer awareness night on August 27 at Banner Island Ballpark. This was the most successful “Pink with the Ports” event that the Ports have hosted since beginning the fundraiser in 2007. With over 4,100 fans in attendance for the night’s game, support for St. Joseph’s was overwhelming.

This event hit close to home with the Ports this year. Becki Scarsone, wife of Ports manager Steve Scarsone, is a recent breast cancer survivor, and has early self-detection and the overwhelming love and support of family and friends to thank for her recovery. The goal of the “Pink with the Ports” event was to raise as much money possible for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services. The Ports also wanted to stress the importance of catching cancer early, and that doing self-exams could make all of the difference.

Prior to the game against the San Jose Giants, the Ports hosted a “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” to help raise even more money for St. Joseph’s. This event was a first for the Ports. Both teams gathered on the field to participate in a friendly home run competition. Each team consisted of about 15 people, and everyone was thrown 10 pitches each. Pledges were made by fans and Ports Alumni prior to the event, so every home run hit earned money for St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Former Oakland Athletics hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the event, and dance team members from the University of the Pacific were on the field dressed in pink dance tops cheering on both teams.

One dollar from every ticket sold to that night’s game was donated to the foundation’s breast health services. Ports players and coaches also wore special pink jerseys, belts, and socks. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game and that money was also given to St. Joseph’s. Another unique fundraiser that the Ports hosted weeks leading up to Pink Night consisted of selling pink paper baseballs for $1. Messages were written on the baseballs and were made into a “Pink Wall” that was displayed at the front of the ballpark on “Pink Night”. Ports players and coaches also donated memorabilia that was used in a raffle to benefit St. Joseph’s.

Former Oakland A’s hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the Ports “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” benefitting St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
The women of St. Joseph’s raised breast cancer awareness during “Pink Night” on August 27.

Charleston RiverDogs Donate $20,000 to MUSC Storm Eye Institute

The Charleston RiverDogs have yet again left a large paw print on the fight against blindness and retinitis pigmentosa.

Prior to the Thursday, July 29 contest against the Greenville Drive at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols presented a check for $20,000 to Dr. Ed Wilson and Dr. Craig Crosson of the MUSC Storm Eye Institute.

The donation comes primarily from the RiverDogs’ 11th annual Kindness Beats Blindness auction, which was held on June 26 of this year.

The auction came as a result of RiverDogs President Mike Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration.  Veeck and his wife, Libby, have dedicated themselves and most of their charitable efforts toward fighting blindness.

“To work hand-in-hand with the Charleston community for such a worthy cause is something we, as an organization, really look forward to every year,” said Echols. “Seeing first-hand the effect this disease can have on a family adds a level of personality and affection to our auction efforts.”

With proceeds amounting in the thousands each of the 11 years of the auction, the team and the Charleston community as a whole have raised more than $400,000 towards preventative research for the degenerative disease.

For more information on the MUSC Storm Eye institute and their effort to battle RP and other degenerative retinal diseases visit www.muschealth.com/eyes.

Charleston RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols (center) presents a ceremonial check in the amount of $20,000 to the MUSC Storm Eye Institute’s Dr. Ed Wilson (left) and Dr. Craig Crosson (right) prior to the club’s July 29 contest against the Greenville Drive at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. (RiverDogs photo by Andy Lange.)

Gwinnett Braves Donate Over $150,000 to Local Non-Profits During Inaugural Season

During the Gwinnett Braves inaugural season, the team donated over $150,000 to local non-profits as a result of fundraisers completed during the team’s season. The G-Braves showcased the groups during a pre-game presentation on Saturday, September 5 when the team took on the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox) at 6:00 p.m.

“Gwinnett County is known for its strong sense of community and since our team arrived, we have been wholeheartedly welcomed into this close-knit population,” said Gwinnett Braves General Manager Bruce Baldwin. “It is only right that we give back to the people that not only brought us here, but also to the people that continue to make Gwinnett County our home.”

Volunteers from Exodus Outreach, Collins Hill High School (Band Boosters, Spirit Club, Takedown Club and Lacrosse), St. Monica’s Knights of Columbus and Grayson Takedown Club worked with ARAMARK, the food and beverage provider at Gwinnett Stadium, to staff select concession stands throughout the season. In return, the groups earned a portion of that stand’s profit. Heading into the final weekend of the season the groups raised a combined $142,204.75 for their efforts.

In addition to the concession fundraiser, the Gwinnett Braves partnered with local non-profits to hold 50/50 raffles at each weekend game. Combined the 50/50 raffles resulted in over $7,000 for the following groups:
233rd Seabee Battalion
American Diabetes Association
Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends
Autism Speaks
Beta Sigma Phi
Caminar Latino
Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Restoration Network
Family Promise of Gwinnett
Foster Children’s Foundation
Gwinnett Ballet Theater
Gwinnett Choral Guild
Gwinnett County Special Olympics
Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity
Gwinnett Humane Society
Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation
Happy Tails
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
March of Dimes
Metro Atlanta YMCA
Operation Homefront
The Hope Clinic
Toys for Tots

Every season, the Gwinnett Braves players and coaches combine to make one special gift to a local charity. This year, the team will donate the funds necessary to build a portable bocce court for the Gwinnett County Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics 50/50 Raffle at Coolray Field

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.

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.