Miracle League Game Set for Prior to 4/25 Game

Gates Open Early at 5:30 p.m.

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Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsThe Lehigh Valley IronPigs will play host to a Miracle League exhibition game and also wear commemorative Miracle League inspired jerseys provided by Majestic Athletic during their game against the Buffalo Bisons on Saturday, April 25 at Coca-Cola Park. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley and the Miracle League of Northampton County.

Miracle-League-logoThe Miracle League exhibition game between the Lehigh Valley team and the Northampton squad will take place from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. In order to allow fans to watch the one-inning contest, all Coca-Cola Park gates will also open promptly at 5 p.m. Dozens of children will take part in the 8th annual Miracle League game at Coca-Cola Park. During the game, each child will have the opportunity to bat and play in the field and the IronPigs players will serve as “angels” and assist the players in all areas of the game.

The Miracle League is dedicated to providing children with special needs and other development disabilities an opportunity to play baseball. Presently there are 250 Miracle League organizations worldwide that provide opportunities to over 200,000 children and young adults with disabilities. For more information on how you can make a difference and support the local Miracle League chapters, please visit miracleleaguelv.org and miracleleagueofnc.org.

IronPigs fans can bid on their favorite player’s jerseys from anywhere with the easy-to-use Qtego service that allows fans to place bids, receive notifications when outbid and check the status of their item via text messages on their mobile phones. Fans without texting access can even call in their bid after registering their phone at Coca-Cola Park.

Register your phone from anywhere in the U.S. by texting “Pigs” to 79230. The bidding begins on April 24 and ends promptly at the end of 7th inning of the April 25 game. Detailed instructions on how to place your bid will be made available at ironpigsbaseball.com.

Winning bidders will have the opportunity to go on the field immediately following the game to have their jersey autographed. Bidders not in attendance at Coca-Cola Park can either pick up their signed jersey at a later date or have it mailed directly to them.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

New Raffle to Benefit Ronald McDonald House

50/50 to Split Proceeds with Local Charity

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoThe Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) have been a win-win proposition for years. The partnership of the world’s most famous and successful baseball team’s top-tier farm club with outstanding, affordable, family-friendly entertainment has meant victory for all of NEPA. In 2015, add another possible triumph to the list. The team has added a 50/50 raffle with half of the proceeds going to a lucky winner and the other half heading to the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton.

Ronald-McDonald-House-Logo-“The people of Northeastern Pennsylvania are so generous and eager to help others,” said Patricia Stella, president of the McDonald’s Association of Northeastern PA and a local owner/operator. “This season, in partnership with the RailRiders, we encourage fans who attend the games to participate in the 50/50 raffle. The money that is raised will help our Ronald McDonald Houses in Scranton and Danville continue to reach out to the local community and help families with seriously ill children.”

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase during every home game throughout the 2015 season from a roaming seller or at a kiosk located behind home plate on the main concourse. Ticket sales will begin when gates open and close at the end of the seventh inning.

“We appreciate this valuable opportunity to share the mission of the Ronald McDonald House with our community,” said Rich Bradshaw, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Scranton. “Truly it is only through the support of our local community that we are able to help so many families all year round. We are pleased to count the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders as one of our mission supporters and proud to have them as our friends.”

The gross prize amount will be displayed on the main scoreboard throughout the game. The winning number will be posted on the main scoreboard at the conclusion of the eighth inning. To claim the prize, the winning fan will visit University of Scranton Guest Services in the entrance plaza or call 570-969-BALL (2255) for more information.

“We are delighted to partner with the good folks at McDonald’s and the Ronald McDonald House,” said RailRiders interim GM Jeremy Ruby. “We view ourselves as NEPA’s team and hope this effort with half the money helping the local community and the other half creating a very happy and lucky fan in the stands demonstrates our continued efforts in that regard.”

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.

Adopt-a-Field Program Returns in 2015

Submissions Due March 29, Voting Begins March 30

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoThere’s something special about a pristine baseball field. Add kids to the scene and you have the storybook home run. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) hope to help area youth enjoy America’s pastime by renovating three fields as part of their Adopt-a-Field Program in 2015.

Two youth softball or baseball fields and one high school field will receive a renovation. Fans can send photos of their field to the RailRiders and write as to why they should be selected. Field nominations should be sent to the RailRiders’ community relations director Rachel Mark (rmark@swbrailriders.com). Submitted fields must be within 30 miles of PNC Field.

This year the RailRiders are proud to partner with Pro’s Choice and Fisher and Son who will graciously donate the materials needed for the renovation of the three fields.

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. Fans will be able to vote on the fields on the RailRiders’ website starting at noon on Monday, March 30. Links to the voting page will be available through social media and the RailRiders’ website. Website voting will end at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, and the winners will be announced on Monday, April 6. The first renovation is planned for April 16.

The program affords an individualized evaluation and athletic field maintenance clinic to the chosen sites. The teams will be taught how to keep up that same professional-level look for years to come.

“This is a great opportunity to provide those maintaining local fields with the knowledge needed to maintain a safe and beautiful playing surface,” said the team’s director of field operations, Steve Horne. “Many leagues don’t have the tools, manpower or guidance needed to keep their fields in good shape. Hopefully, after our crew comes in to help get them started, we can develop a plan that will benefit the leagues and their players for years to come.”

Media members and fans will be invited to document and watch the progress throughout the day at each site. Other dates and all sites will be announced at a later date once voting concludes.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.

Pinstripes in Pink

Donations Secure Loved One’s Name on Special Aug. 22 Jerseys

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoAn annual tradition takes a twist. In 2015, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ (Triple-A/New York Yankees) Breast Cancer Awareness Game will sport special pink jerseys. And this year, fans can champion the fight or memory of a loved one by placing their names on the jerseys themselves.

With a $20 donation to Susan G. Komen® NEPA, a loved one’s name will appSusan-G.-Komenear as part of a pinstripe on the RailRiders’ Breast Cancer Awareness jerseys. The jerseys will be autographed and auctioned off to the highest bidder that same night, Aug. 22. Submissions for donations and names are due by Friday, May 29.

The night features a number of other activities in recognition of the cause. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a replica pink RailRiders jersey courtesy of PNC Bank. There will be a raffle for a RailRiders’ team-signed pink bat. Breast cancer survivors will receive complimentary tickets and everyone is encouraged to participate in a PNC Field Pink-Out by wearing pink to support the cause.

Entries for names should be sent to the RailRiders’ offices: 235 Montage Mountain Rd., Moosic, PA 18507. Cash or check will be accepted as payment for the $20 donation. Checks should be made payable to: Susan G. Komen® NEPA. Payment must be received before a name is printed. Entrants should include the first and last name to appear on the jersey. That name should be typed or printed legibly. The opportunity has a limited availability. CLICK HERE for an entry form PDF.

“Komen NEPA is excited to join the RailRiders for Breast Awareness Night at PNC Field,” said Dolly Woody, executive director of Susan G. Komen® NEPA. “The Komen NEPA Race for the Cure is celebrating 25 years of impact in the fight against breast cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Night is an opportunity to educate the public. We want women and men to, ‘Know your normal. Know your risks.’ Prevention and early detection are key pieces to ending breast cancer.”

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders . Click here to view the original story.

Knights Announce 2015 Scholarships with Founding Partners

From L-R -- 2014 Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship recipients: Adam Miranda (NC State), Xena Nguyen (UNC - Chapel Hill), Sarah York (Wake Forest) and Homer the Dragon.
From L-R — 2014 Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship recipients: Adam Miranda (NC State), Xena Nguyen (UNC – Chapel Hill), Sarah York (Wake Forest) and Homer the Dragon.

Charlotte-Knights-2014The Charlotte Knights are once again teaming up with two of their founding partners to provide educational funding through two unique scholarships for high school students. The Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, along with the Charlotte Knights STEM Scholarship Program, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, each represent the team’s focus on community initiatives.

“We are excited to once again team with Carolinas HealthCare System and Piedmont Natural Gas on these very important scholarships for local high school students,” said Chris Semmens, Charlotte Knights vice president of sales. “Supporting education is one of our primary goals and we look forward to working with our founding partners to help local students prepare for successful careers.”

The Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System began their partnership in 2013 with the Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship program. That season, the Knights honored high school students John Dock Tallent (Appalachian State University), Gisele Bailey (Harvard University) and Stephanie Smith (UNC – Chapel Hill) as the inaugural recipients of the Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship program presented by Carolinas HealthCare System. Last season, three more high school students were awarded a $1,000 scholarship each — Adam Miranda (NC State), Sarah York (Wake Forest), and Xena Nguyen (UNC – Chapel Hill).

In an effort to improve educational funding for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care, the Charlotte Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System will once again provide three $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors in 2015.

“Carolinas HealthCare System’s vision is to lead the transformation of health care delivery and a key part of that effort is attracting the next generation of motivated, creative health care professionals,” said Carol Lovin, Executive Vice President of Carolinas HealthCare System. “Partnering with the Charlotte Knights to provide these scholarships is a great way to help turn that vision into reality.”

The Knights and Piedmont Natural Gas also will award three $1,000 college scholarships to high school seniors from the Charlotte region who plan to attend college and pursue studies in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering or math. Last year, Piedmont and the Knights awarded three $1,000 scholarships to students attending college within Piedmont’s service territories in North and South Carolina. The three winners of the inaugural scholarship were EmmaLee Apple (Alamance Community College), James Reynolds (Bob Jones University), and Cody Wright (Guilford Technical Community College).

“STEM education is a focus area for Piedmont Natural Gas, and we are happy to join the Knights in offering these scholarships to students in the Charlotte region,” said Timothy Greenhouse, managing director of community relations for Piedmont Natural Gas. “Piedmont will continue to support programs like this that expand educational opportunities in our communities.”

The Carolinas HealthCare System scholarships will be awarded during an on-field ceremony at BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday, July 21, while the Piedmont Natural Gas scholarships will be awarded during an on-field ceremony on Thursday, July 23.

More details about each of the scholarships, along with applications to apply, guidelines and more, are now available at charlotteknights.com. All applications must be emailed to scholarships@charlotteknights.com or mailed to Charlotte Knights Annual Scholarship at 324 South Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28202. All applications must be postmarked by May 1, 2015.

* 2015 Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship Application
* 2015 Charlotte Knights STEM Scholarship Application

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

Get “peanut free” tickets on April 21 and April 23

Toledo-Mud-HensDid you know peanuts are one of the most common allergy-causing foods, especially in children? Peanut allergy symptoms can range from a minor irritation to a life-threatening reaction. If you have a peanut allergy, but really want to attend a Toledo Mud Hens game at Fifth Third Field, this is your opportunity!

The Hens will host two “peanut free events” this season. On Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 23 fans with peanut allergies can purchase an all-inclusive ticket in a Mud Hens party suite, where all items served will be peanut-free products. The all-inclusive ticket will include an all-you-can-eat buffet meal! Fans with “peanut-free event” tickets will be provided early entry into the ballpark.

Buy tickets

Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for children. Fans will have also the option to purchase a Mud Hens hat for just $8.

The Mud Hens take on the Louisville Bats at 6:30 p.m. on April 21. The Mud Hens play the Indianapolis Indians at 6:30 p.m. on April 23. Call 419-725-4367 for tickets or click the links to order online.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Toldeo Mud Hens . Click here to view the original story.

Community Organization of the Game Program Returns

Now Presented by the Greater Scranton YMCA

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoOne of the signature pieces of community outreach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) is back and better than ever. The Community Organization of the Game program, presented by the Greater Scranton YMCA, is looking for NEPA community groups that wish to spread their word to the masses during the 2015 season.

YMCA-logo-red&orange“The Greater Scranton YMCA is so excited to serve as the Community Organization of the Game sponsor for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ 2015 season,” said Greater Scranton YMCA mission advancement and marketing director Meghan Davis. “At the Y, our focus areas are youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We believe our partnership with the RailRiders, an organization dedicated to our community, will allow us to give back and serve our community in an even greater capacity.”

A total of 72 non-profit groups, one for each home game, will receive a tip of the cap and more throughout the 2015 campaign. The groups chosen will own a prime spot on the front porch of NEPA. In addition to receiving four free field reserve seats, the group will also have a concourse table allowing them to pass out information on their organization and cause. Beyond that personal face-to-face time, each group will have a live pre-game interview on the field that will be shown to all in attendance on PNC Field’s state-of-the-art video board. The message will be further disseminated with a live in-game interview on the RailRiders’ radio broadcast.

The Community Organization of the Game receives other perks like a ceremonial first pitch, their logo getting some time to shine on the video board and most of all, the chance to interact with the very folks they touch with their efforts.

“We are honored to highlight the great organizations that benefit our community,” said RailRiders interim GM Jeremy Ruby. “These people and their organizations do so much. If we can help get their message out in any way, we are humbly glad to do so.”

Community organizations that are interested in participating are invited to contact the team’s community relations director Rachel Mark through e-mail at rmark@swbrailriders.com or by phone at 570-969-2255, ext. 3140.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders . Click here to view the original story.

Paint The Pig Contest Underway!

Artwork must be received by Friday, March 6th

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It’s that time of the year again… the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in conjunction with Painting and Decorating by Shane, are encouraging area youngsters to Paint the Pig! The winner will receive an IronPigs prize pack and have his/her artwork decorated on a giant 9′ x 5′ fiberglass piggy bank that will be displayed in the AT&T Plaza at Coca-Cola Park during all IronPigs home games.

Children ages 13 and under are eligible to participate and all entries must be sent to:

Paint the Pig
Coca-Cola Park
1050 IronPigs Way
Allentown, PA 18109

Artwork must be received by Friday, March 6, to qualify.

Following the deadline, a group of five finalists will be announced in The Morning Call and the general public will then be able to vote for the winning design at www.mcall.com beginning Wednesday, March 11 and ending Sunday, March 15. The child whose drawing receives the most votes will have the winning design painted on the giant piggy bank by a professional artist.

All proceeds from piggy bank donations collected at Coca-Cola Park will benefit IronPigs Charities, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. IronPigs Charities is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level.

Painting & Decorating by Shane has been serving clients for close to 10 years and owner Shane Smoyer has more than 20 years of experience. Based in Lehigh Valley, PA, Painting by Shane serves clients throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, as well as the Poconos, Philadelphia, New Jersey and beyond. Call 610-285-6061 today for a free estimate!

The IronPigs piggy bank will be repainted prior to the beginning of each season.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

IronPigs Seeking Little League Field Nominations

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Submissions Due by Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m.

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsThe IronPigs are currently seeking nominations for local little league fields that need field renovations this spring. Please email Dana DeFilippo at ddefilippo@ironpigsbaseball.com with your contact information by Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m. to garner consideration. Please submit a photo of your field as well as a brief synopsis of why your league is deserving of a makeover for 2015.

The winning youth little league organization will receive a complete infield renovation from IronPigs head groundskeeper Ryan Hills and members of the IronPigs front office staff! The IronPigs will assist in all facets of this renovation in an effort to get your league ready for the upcoming season.

The IronPigs’ front office staff takes pride in being active in the community with over 550 hours dedicated to community events and service for non-profits in 2014. This past year, the entire IronPigs staff renovated the East Side Memorial Little League field in Allentown.

For more information, please contact Dana DeFilippo at ddefilippo@ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-1213.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

Sign-up for 2015 Youth Baseball Camp!

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Learn from the Pro’s This Summer at Coca-Cola Park

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsSign-ups are now underway for the 2015 Youth Baseball Camp presented by Capital BlueCross! Make sure to sign up early because each camp is limited to 110 children and each is expected to sell out.

The camps will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for all days of the session. Boys and girls of all skill levels will have the chance to learn baseball and fundamentals from the future stars of the Philadelphia Phillies. Each day, members of the IronPigs coaching staff and select IronPigs players will teach the basics of the game and help all campers become better ballplayers!

In addition to meeting and playing with IronPigs players, each camper will receive a daily lunch, two tickets to a selected IronPigs game during the camp (Camp #1, June 17; Camp #2, June 30; Camp #3, July 23), on-field recognition prior to the IronPigs game and an official IronPigs Fantasy Camp T-shirt!

2015 Camp Dates:

For more information, please contact Hannah Ishida at (610) 841-1228 or hishida@ironpigsbaseball.com. 2015 Youth Baseball Camp is presented by Capital BlueCross.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

Gwinnett Braves Award January Grant to The Path Project

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Organization receives $1,000 “I Have a Dream” themed grant

Gwinnett BravesThe Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipient of their $1,000 grant for the month of January. The Path Project, Inc. has been awarded the “I Have a Dream” themed grant, aimed at funding an organization that grants wishes, dreams and opportunities for the youth, elderly, injured or sick.

Path-ProjectThe Path Project offers academic, social and spiritual development for at-risk youth living in mobile home communities in Gwinnett and surrounding counties. The non-profit organization works to help those students close the achievement gap, graduate from high school, become productive members of society and find the right path for their lives. The outreach ministry currently operates five community centers in five mobile home parks, serving approximately 450 children each week.

The community centers run by The Path Project provide preschool programs, after-school programs, summer camps, soccer teams and mentoring services. Certified teachers and youth development specialists oversee the centers, run the programs, communicate with parents and schools, as well as lead volunteers. The $1,000 grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will be used for literacy and educational enrichment through field trips and the purchase of books and school supplies.

“On behalf of the staff, volunteers, students and families of Gwinnett County that are part of The Path Project, I wish to say thank you to the Gwinnett Braves organization for their generous grant of $1,000,” said Jim Hollandsworth, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Path Project. “This grant will go directly to academic endeavors that are part of our after-school and literacy programs that serve hundreds of children and teenagers living in Gwinnett County. We are honored to partner with the Gwinnett Braves to help these young people find the right path for their lives.”

About The Path Project, Inc.: The Path Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 2009 by Jim and Melinda Hollandsworth as an outreach ministry of Graystone Church in Grayson, GA. What started as a once-a-week homework help program at the Gwinnett Estates mobile home park soon grew to a four-day-a-week, after-school program that included preschool, mentoring and soccer activities. The Path Project expanded in 2012 to serve other mobile home communities in Gwinnett, Walton and Newton counties, including Valley Brook in Stone Mountain, Bay Creek in Loganville and Riverside Estates in Covington. For more information, visit their website at www.path-project.org.

For more information on the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, including details on how your organization can apply for future grants, call Community Relations Coordinator Alison Atkins at 678-277-0346 or email Alison.Atkins@braves.com.

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

 

Bats to wear camo jerseys to benefit PVA

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Louisville-BatsThe Louisville Bats will wear special digital camouflage jerseys at all Sunday home games in 2015 to benefit the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Koetter Construction will provide the jerseys, which will be auctioned following the conclusion of the season with 100 percent of the funds being donated to the local PVA chapter. The jerseys will be introduced at the team’s noon press conference Wednesday at Louisville Slugger Field.

Paralyzed-Veterans-of-AmericaA nonprofit organization, many of PVA’s volunteers are dedicated veterans who have taken up the cause to not only fight on the battlefield together, but on the battlefield at home. The mission of the Kentucky-Indiana PVA chapter is to improve the quality of life of U.S. Military Veterans and others with spinal cord dysfunction through the use of advocacy, research, sports and recreation, education and communication.

“The partnership with the Louisville Bats and Koetter Construction will give us the exposure we so desperately need,” said Kevin Sparks, president of the Kentucky-Indiana PVA chapter. “Our hope is when fans see a camouflage uniform at a Bats game or anywhere else, or a sign for Koetter Construction, that they immediately think of our paralyzed veterans here in the Louisville and Kentuckiana area.”

“Koetter Construction is very proud to partner with the Bats and sponsor the Sunday military camouflage jerseys as a fundraiser to support the Paralyzed Veterans of America,” said Bob Koetter, Jr., president of the Floyds Knobs-based company. “We have been a past supporter of the PVA because we like to show our appreciation of our veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.”

“I would hope that these camouflage jerseys will remind people to thank a veteran, especially those who have come back missing limbs or being paralyzed from an accident while fighting for our freedom,” Koetter added. “I also hope people will support the PVA financially by participating in the auction at the end of the season.”

The PVA works continuously to raise awareness of the issues that paralyzed veterans face every day. There are a variety of ways to help. Visit www.kipva.org to become a volunteer, donor, sponsor or learn about supporting the group at its events.

Kentucky-Indiana PVA contact: Vickie Lincks, Executive Director, 502-635-6539, vlincks@kipva.org

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

Gwinnett Braves Award December Grant to The Next Stop

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Organization receives $1,000 “Season of Giving” themed grant

Gwinnett BravesThe Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipient of their $1,000 grant for the month of December. The Next Stop Foundation, Inc. has been awarded the “Season of Giving” themed grant, aimed at funding an education organization.

The Next Stop works with developmentally disabled adults, as well as those with traumatic brain injuries in Gwinnett County and the surrounding area. The non-profit organization provides members who have aged out of the school system with a place to socialize, learn and enjoy friendships in a fulfilling and challenging way. Through high-quality group activities, learning opportunities and personalized mentorship, The Next Stop helps its members grow in the areas of self-confidence, social skills, maturity, life skills and awareness.

The-Next-StopOne such group activity, cooking education, provides members with a cooperative environment in which to exercise cognitive and motor skills. Each small group works together to perform recipe preparation and clean-up before enjoying the fruits of their labor. The $1,000 grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will fund over two months of kitchen costs associated with the cooking education program.

“We are truly grateful to the Gwinnett Braves for this grant award,” said Vicki LaRoche, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Next Stop. “At The Next Stop we provide opportunities for members to experience social situations, recreational fun and life appreciation learning. Because our members cook each day at The Next Stop, these funds will be used to support our kitchen education.”

About The Next Stop Foundation, Inc.:  Founded in 2006, The Next Stop provides programs where high-functioning developmentally disabled and brain injured young adults can gather to socialize, enjoy recreation and learn life application skills. The vibrant, one-of-a-kind center is small by design, but big on success. Families report that 98 percent of members have improved their social skills or remained stable since entering the program. For more information, call 404-932-3953 or visit www.thenextstop.org.

For more information on the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, including details on how your organization can apply for future grants, call Community Relations Coordinator Alison Atkins at 678-277-0346 or email Alison.Atkins@braves.com.

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

Scout for fun at Fifth Third Field this summer

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Toledo-Mud-HensCalling all Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops! Back by popular demand, the Toledo Mud Hens are hosting Scout Experience Nights during the 2015 season. This is a great opportunity for scouts to watch the world famous Mud Hens in action, meet boys and girls from other troops, and have a sleepover at the ballpark!

Scout Experience Nights for Boy Scouts will be held on: May 23, June 6, June 19, July 17, July 18 and August 15. Scout Experience Nights for Girl Scouts will be held on: June 20 and August 8.

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MORE INFO ON 2015 SCOUT NIGHTS

Tickets are $10, which includes a pregame Scout Parade on the field, a ticket to the Mud Hens game as well as an awesome postgame fireworks display! Add a picnic snack voucher for $5, redeemable at the game for a hot dog, chips and soft drink. Add the sleepover adventure for $8, which includes running the bases following the fireworks, building a tent, rolling out the sleeping bag and enjoying a family-friendly movie on the video board during an overnight stay at Fifth Third Field.

Girl_ScoutsOther options include an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $8 and Scout Night t-shirts: $12 for youth and $15 for adults.

With limited availability and the growing popularity of these events, you’ll want to make your reservations early! Call the Scout Line directly at 419-725-9292 or send an email to scouts@mudhens.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Toldeo Mud Hens. Click here to view the original story.

IronPigs Charities Announce Record-Setting Donations

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Grants Were Awarded during Thursday’s Phillies Winter Banquet

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsIronPigs Charities, presented by The Air Production Foundation, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area, awarded a record-breaking 101,897.45 in cash grants to 22 non-profit organizations during Thursday’s Phillies Winter Banquet at the Sands Events Center. Since debuting in 2008, IronPigs Charities has contributed a total in excess of $750,000 in cash grants to dozens of local non-profit entities. Between the IronPigs Charities organization and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the total all-time cash distribution is nearing $1.1-million.

“The Phillies Winter Banquet, coupled with the opportunity to make meaningful donations to so many deserving local organizations, is truly the highlight of our year,” remarked IronPigs Charities President Kurt Landes. “It’s genuinely humbling to be in such a position to be able to impact our community in such a significant manner. And, the best is yet to come.”

The 2015 beneficiaries are listed below:

  • Allentown School District Foundation
  • Boy Scouts of America, Minsi Trails Council
  • Boys and Girls Club of Allentown
  • Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem
  • Boys and Girls Club of Easton
  • Center for Vision Loss
  • Community Bike Works
  • East Side Memorial Little League
  • East Side Youth Center
  • Easton Area Police Athletic League
  • Friends of Allentown Parks
  • Girl Scouts of Eastern PA
  • Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living
  • Lower Macungie Athletics
  • Mikayla’s Voice
  • Miracle League of Lehigh Valley
  • Northeast Ministry
  • Sacred Heart Hospital
  • Wildlands Conservancy
  • YMCA of Bethlehem
  • YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity
  • Youth Education in the Arts

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., manager Ryne Sandberg along with OF Ben Revere, INF/OF Darin Ruf and RHP David Buchanan headlined the 2015 Phillies Winter Banquet presented by The Air Products Foundation, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. Other Phillies dignitaries included broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock and Assistant Director of Player Develoment Steve Noworyta.

The Phillies Winter Banquet beneficiary, IronPigs Charities, is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level. The annual Phillies Winter Banquet is IronPigs Charities’ flagship event and all of the money raised at the event directly benefits IronPigs Charities.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.