Charlotte Knights Announce Scholarship Programs for 2014

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(Uptown Charlotte, NC) – A year ago, the Charlotte Knights teamed up with Carolinas HealthCare System and announced an initiative to provide three high school seniors with a $1,000 scholarship each. With the success of Charlotte Knights HealthCare Scholarship Program, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, the Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System are once again continuing their partnership for 2014. In addition, the Knights are pleased to announce a partnership with one of their founding partners – Piedmont Natural Gas – on another exciting scholarship program. Both scholarships will provide students with educational funding for college.

In an effort to improve educational funding for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, the Charlotte Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System will provide three $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors. New for 2014, the Charlotte Knights along with Piedmont Natural Gas, will provide three $1,000 college scholarships to sophomore students attending college in Piedmont Natural Gas’ service territory. This scholarship is for college students who are interested in pursuing a career in Engineering, Business Administration and Environmental Science.

Last year at Knights Stadium, the Knights honored high school students John Dock Tallent, Gisele Bailey, and Stephanie Smith, as the inaugural recipients of the Charlotte Knights HealthCare Scholarship Program presented by Carolinas HealthCare System. This year’s winners will be honored before a game at BB&T Ballpark.

Applications for both the Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship Program, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, and the Piedmont Natural Gas Scholarship Program, are available at charlotteknights.com. All applications must be emailed to community@charlotteknights.com or mailed to Charlotte Knights Annual Scholarship at 324 South Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28202. All applications must be postmarked by April 4, 2014.

About Carolinas HealthCare System
Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Carolinas HealthCare System works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

About Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy services company primarily engaged in the distribution of natural gas to more than one million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation utility customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including customers served by municipalities who are wholesale customers. Our subsidiaries are invested in joint venture, energy-related businesses, including unregulated retail natural gas marketing, and regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage, and regulated intrastate natural gas transportation businesses. More information about Piedmont Natural Gas is available on the Internet at http://www.piedmontng.com/.

The Knights will open BB&T Ballpark on Friday night, April 11 at 7:05 p.m. against the Norfolk Tides. Season tickets, as well as group tickets and partial season ticket plans for the 2014 inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark, are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at (980) 207-0079 or by email at seasonseats@charlotteknights.com. For more information about Charlotte Knights Baseball, log on to www.charlotteknights.com. Uptown Knights are Better Than Ever!

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

Gwinnett Braves to Host High School Showcase II

Coolray Field set to host 22 of the premiere high school baseball teams in the area from Feb. 22 to March 15

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LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Gwinnett Braves will host the second annual High School Baseball Showcase at Coolray Field beginning on February 22. For four consecutive weekends from February 22 through March15, the home of the G-Braves will host 22 of the top high school baseball programs in the Atlanta metro area.

Last season, the Gwinnett Braves hosted a two-day event, and with the hard work of the front office staff and commitment of the high school baseball teams in the area, the G-Braves have expanded the showcase into a five-day, four-weekend event. The showcase will be jam-packed with talented squads, as 15 of the 22 participating teams earned postseason berths and accumulated winning marks in 2013.

“We are happy to continue this tradition of high school baseball at Coolray Field,” said Gwinnett Braves General Manager North Johnson. “The expansion of the game schedule shows the commitment of our staff in making these games available to all the schools in the Atlanta metro area. One of our goals at Coolray Field is to make these games accessible to all the schools in the area and we are very happy that schools from all across the area are taking part in this showcase.”

The event will kick off with North Gwinnett High School and Providence Christian High School, as they play at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 22. North Gwinnett features left-handed pitcher Tucker Baca, who is committed to Arizona State University and is ranked the No. 92 high school prospect according to Baseball America. Providence Christian is coming off a 15-win season and a playoff berth. The nightcap will feature Archer High School and Lanier High School at 4 p.m. Both schools are relatively new to the baseball fold, as their programs have been around for less than five years. Each school is quickly building into an elite power, including Lanier, who is coming off a school-best 18-win season in 2013.

On Saturday, March 1, Coolray Field will be loaded with baseball action, hosting four games from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Buford High School, who is coming off of a 21-12 season, will match up against Hebron High School at 11:30 a.m. Holy Innocents High School and Lambert High School, two teams that made it into the second round of the Georgia State playoffs in their respective regions last year, will face off at 1:30 p.m. South Forsyth High School and Dunwoody High School will meet at 4 p.m., and the day will conclude with a battle between Kennesaw Mountain High School and Northview High School at 6:30 p.m.

The showcase will continue the following weekend with three more games. On Friday, March 7 at 4 p.m., Peachtree Ridge High School will play North Forsyth High School. Last season, Peachtree Ridge finished second in the region with an 11-3 record, but fell in the second round of the 7-AAAAAA playoffs. North Forsyth won 12 games in 2013 and finished sixth in their division.

On Saturday, March 8, Mountain View High School and South Gwinnett High School will play each other for the second straight season at Coolray Field. Last year, the Comets won a tightly contested battle 7-6 over the Bears. Right after that game at 6:30 p.m., Norcross High School and Grayson High School will take the field. Both squads come into 2014 following stellar seasons, as each finished atop their respective conferences and qualified for the playoffs a year ago.

The showcase will conclude on Saturday, March 15 with another twin-bill starting at 11 a.m. The first contest will feature East Cobb Academy and the Home Plate Citadels, while the second game pits Johns Creek High School against Loganville High School at 1:30 p.m. Johns Creek went 18-7 last season, reaching the AAAAAA playoffs before losing to Norcross, while Loganville went 26-8 before falling in the quarterfinals of the AAAAA playoffs.

“This is a great opportunity for our players to play on the best playing surface in all of Triple-A baseball and to play in such a beautiful venue against a perennial high school power like Loganville,” said Johns Creek Head Baseball Coach Billy Nicholson. “Our whole baseball community is looking forward to a great day of baseball!”

Tickets will be available at the Coolray Field Ticket Office on the day of the games only. Adult tickets are $10 and student tickets with ID are $5 for the day. For more information about the event or how to purchase tickets, contact the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com.

The Gwinnett Braves will begin their sixth season of play on Thursday, April 3 at Durham. The G-Braves’ 2014 home opener at Coolray Field will take place on Friday, April 11 against the Durham Bulls. Season tickets for the 2014 campaign are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340. For more information on 2014 season ticket packages, visit gwinnettbraves.com/2014.

# # #

COUNTDOWN TO THE 2014 HOME OPENER (Friday, April 11, 7:05 PM vs. Durham): 52 Days

The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Follow the G-Braves at gwinnettbraves.com, facebook.com/GwinnettBraves1 and twitter.com/GwinnettBraves. For more information on 2014 Season Tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com/2014.

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

2014 Baseball Camp Sign-ups Now Underway!

Sign-up now: Each Camp is Limited to 110 Campers

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Sign-ups are now underway for the 2014 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 19; Camp #2, July 23; Camp #3, July 31), on-field recognition prior to the IronPigs game and an official IronPigs Fantasy Camp T-shirt!

2014 Camp Dates:

  • Camp #1 ($160/camper): Ages 7-8 only (June 18-20) – Sign-up Online / Download Flyer
  • Camp #2 ($160/camper): Ages 9-10 only (July 22-24) – Sign-up Online / Download Flyer
  • Camp #3 ($110/camper): Ages 11-13 only (July 31-August 1). – Sign-up Online / Download Flyer. Please note that this is a two-day camp only and features individual instruction in one of four chosen positions (Pitcher, Catcher, Outfielder or Infielder).

For more information, please contact Kelly Gooley at (610) 841-1213 or kgooley@ironpigsbaseball.com. 2014 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 December Grant to Parkwood Farms Therapy Center

“Season of Giving” themed grant will help fund therapeutic horseback riding program for disabled youth

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Gwinnett Braves have awarded their $1,000 grant for the month of December to Parkwood Farms Therapy Center, Inc. of Snellville, GA. The “Season of Giving” themed grant is designed to assist organizations that benefit youth, education or sports programming.

Parkwood Farms Therapy Center, Inc. is a multi-discipline therapy center that offers non-traditional therapies for children with a variety of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and intellectual disability. One of the key non-traditional therapies is therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons provided through the Parkwood Farms Equestrian Program. The Parkwood Farms grounds include nine acres of riding space, a handicap accessible arena, a large outdoor arena and a wooded sensory trail.

Parkwood Farms is also the training facility for the Gwinnett County Special Olympics Equestrian Team. The center hosts year-round equestrian and athletic training giving the riders opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of friendship with other Special Olympians.

The grant awarded to Parkwood Farms will be applied to the purchase of new equipment for the Equestrian Program, including new helmets, saddle blankets, saddles and other riding gear. This new equipment will help keep therapy riders safe and comfortable for years to come.

“The grant from the Gwinnett Braves has allowed us to purchase new equipment for the horses and to expand the riders’ lending closet,” said Dr. Marilyn Peterson, Director of Parkwood Farms Therapy Center, Inc. “The riding outfits offer our athletes a way to take pride in their appearance and make a respectable presentation of their athletic abilities. The farm maintains the lending closet so the riders can borrow what they need and no one is excluded because they can’t afford the uniform.”

About Parkwood Farms Therapy Center, Inc.:  Based in Snellville, GA and opened in May 2002, the Parkwood Farms Therapy Center is dedicated to enriching the lives of physically, emotionally and mentally challenged children and adults by offering a spectrum of therapeutic services in one safe and loving environment. To find out how you can donate your time or money to Parkwood Farms, call 678-344-6821 or visit www.parkwoodfarms.org.

For more information on the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, including details on how your organization can apply, call Community Relations Manager Shay Marlowe at 678-277-0346 or email shay.marlowe@braves.com.

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

Tides organization to renovate local youth field

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The Norfolk Tides today announced the return of a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. Proudly presented by Goodwill, this field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the recipient of the makeover being determined by a fan vote on the Tides’ Facebook page.

“After the overwhelming community support we’ve received over the first two years of this program, we are thrilled to be continuing this project again” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “Our entire staff looks forward to helping out these worthy organizations, and we enjoy doing our part to ensure children can be proud of where they play baseball.”

Those interested in having the Tides makeover their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at hmckeating@norfolktides.com. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief description of why their league should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is February 7, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from February 17 to February 21.

2014 is the third year in which the Tides will be renovating a local youth field. Over the first two years of the program, the Tides have helped renovate five local fields – Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton) and Shore Little League (Nassawadox).

“Goodwill is proud to get behind such an amazing program, and we know the importance of supporting local initiatives like this one” said Goodwill Community Relations Manager Danielle Cronin. “Goodwill delivers employment services to moms and dads throughout Hampton Roads every day, which we refer to as Family Strengthening. If mom and dad have the right supports in place at home, the likelihood of being and staying successfully employed is greater. Keeping kids positively influenced through a sport like baseball is critical to the success of everyone – individuals, families and communities.”

The project is made possible thanks to Goodwill and the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. Those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so by clicking HERE.

The Tides open their 2014 regular season at Harbor Park on Thursday, April 3 with a four-game series against division rival Charlotte. Season tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2014 season. For pricing and additional information, stop by the Harbor Park Box Office, visit norfolktides.com or call (757) 622-2222.

 

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

All Aboard the Fit Track Program

RailRiders’ Community Program Encourages Healthy Lifestyle

Moosic, Pa. – “All aboard” has taken on a whole new meaning. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) are coming down the stretch run for registration in their new Fit Track Program for the 2014 season. Fit Track is designed to enhance schools’ physical education programs and educate children, grades K-5, on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Area schools are encouraged to register for the free program. Registration concludes Friday, Dec. 20 and is limited to the first 15,000 students.

“We are delighted to do whatever we can to promote a healthy lifestyle among our children,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “The habits for making healthy decisions begun at a young age can last a lifetime. We hope this program will trigger more and more smart choices.”

Fit Track focuses on three main healthy behaviors: being active at least 60 minutes per day; making healthy food choices; and getting at least eight hours of sleep a night. The RailRiders encourage kids to follow Fit Track by rewarding them with free admission to select SWB RailRiders home games and the chance for pre-game recognition at PNC Field.

For participating in the Fit Track program, each child will receive a RailRiders jump rope, meant to serve as a tool to get kids active outside of school. Jump ropes will be distributed to schools immediately following the return of the school’s registration form to the RailRiders front office, or during the kick-off assembly if applicable. The flexible program allows each school to create a four, eight or 12-week program.

CLICK HERE for registration forms and more information. All contact information is listed on the registration form. For any additional information or questions, please contact community relations manager Rachel Mark at 570-969-2255 ext. 3140 or rmark@swbrailriders.com.

The RailRiders’ 2014 season begins on Thursday, April 3 when the club kicks off a seven-game road trip at Syracuse against the Chiefs (Washington Nationals).The home slate commences a week later on Thursday, April 10 when the Chiefs visit PNC Field for a four-game series and homestand. For season ticket information or to book a ballpark group outing, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

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

Gwinnett Braves Award November Grant to Nothing but the Truth

“Thanksgiving” themed grant will help fund Weekend Food Bag Ministry program

Gwinnett BravesThe Gwinnett Braves have awarded their $1,000 grant for the month of November to the Nothing but the Truth organization, announced on Monday, December 9. The “Thanksgiving” themed grant is aimed at assisting organizations that work to end hunger and/or homelessness.

Based in Dacula, GA, Nothing but the Truth serves food insecure children across Gwinnett County and beyond through its Weekend FooNothing-but-the-truth-logod Bag Ministry. The program assists students in Title I schools that have been identified by their counselors as being in a crisis situation and in need of additional food over the weekend and during extended school breaks.

Each Friday, volunteers with Nothing but the Truth supply school counselors with bags filled with kid-friendly items that are sent home with the students in their book bags. Since starting the program in December 2010, Nothing but the Truth has served 18 Gwinnett County schools, one Barrow County school and three Clayton County schools, sending home approximately 360 food bags each week.

The grant awarded to Nothing but the Truth will go directly toward the purchase of food for the Weekend Food Bag Ministry program. In addition to the funds provided, the Gwinnett Braves have extended the partnership further by supplying volunteers to pack food bags once a month.

“It is an honor to work with local Title I schools to help students who are food insecure,” said Scarlett Rigsby, Executive Director of Nothing but the Truth. “No one wants to think of students going home on Friday from school and having little or nothing to eat over the weekend. Unfortunately this is a reality among way too many of our students. This grant from the Gwinnett Braves helps us serve 18 schools and provide food for 360 students per week through our Weekend Food Program.”

About Nothing but the Truth:  Nothing but the Truth is a faith-based organization in Gwinnett County that serves the community through three major areas of ministry: the Weekend Food Bag Ministry, the Multi-Housing Ministry and Community Outreach Events. For more information on how you can donate money or volunteer your time, contact Scarlett Rigsby at 770-845-3029 or scarlett@nothingbutthetruth146.org.

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

Sign your little slugger up for 2014 Youth Camps!

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The Mud Hens Youth Baseball Camps are back for the 2014 season! There will be two separate three-day camps, a one-day camp for kids, an adult/child one-day camp, and a special needs baseball clinic. Details on each camp can be found at www.mudhens.com/camps. These camps will sell out, so make your reservation early to guarantee a spot!

Call 419-725-4367 with any questions or to make your registration by phone.

Click the links below to order online:

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

Toys for Tots Collection Drive Underway at McCoy

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Want to help make a child’s holiday? This year’s Toys for Tots drive is underway at McCoy Stadium. Fans who donate a new toy for our Toys for Tots Collection Drive will receive a 10% discount voucher good for purchases made in the PawSox Team Store. Collections will be made at the PawSox Team Store at McCoy Stadium Monday-Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm until December 14th.

 

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Military Recognition Program Returns

RailRiders Searching for Military Members & Families to Honor

Moosic, Pa. – Veterans Day is a time of reflection, thanks and love for the brave men and women that defend our nation. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) are no exception on this special day. Today, the team announced the formal return of its Military Recognition Program for the 2014 season that will pay tribute to those that serve in our nation’s armed forces and their loved ones in NEPA. The search is on for the special folks that will receive these recognitions.

Each 2014 home game will spotlight these local heroes with recognition on the video board at PNC Field, the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and four field reserved seats to enjoy the game. The team is actively searching for a title sponsor of the program that will all the more solidify PNC Field as NEPA’s community ballpark.

“On behalf of our entire organization, a huge thank you to all of our veterans,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “We try to do what we can for our own here in NEPA, but this program truly stands out since it helps those that help us all on the ultimate level.”

Area veterans, active military and families thereof are encouraged to contact the team’s community relations department with their armed forces tale as the nightly honors are expected to go quickly. Please submit the military member’s name, military branch, preferred month to attend, telephone number, e-mail address and street address. E-mails can be sent to SWB’s community relations manager, Rachel Mark, at rmark@swbrailriders.com. Or fans may mail their tales to the address below:

SWB RailRiders
ATTN: Community Relations
235 Montage Mountain Rd.
Moosic, PA 18507

The RailRiders’ 2014 season begins on Thursday, April 3 when the club kicks off a seven-game road trip at Syracuse against the Chiefs (Washington Nationals). The home slate commences a week later on Thursday, April 10 when the Chiefs visit PNC Field for a four-game series and homestand. For season ticket information, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

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

Gwinnett Braves Award July Grant to Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum

“Red, White and Blue” themed grant will be used to maintain and improve exhibits and artifacts

Gwinnett BravesThe Gwinnett Braves have awarded their $1,000 grant for the month of July to the Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum, announced on Monday, October 28. The “Red, White and Blue” themed grant is aimed at assisting organizations that support the military or military families.

Founded in 1988, the Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum exhibits the memorabilia of the men and women who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The museum remains a lasting memorial that is a first-class area attraction of historical and educational significance for the city of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County and surrounding counties.

The museum features uniforms, pictures, medals, artillery projectiles, firearms, newspaper clippings and other artifacts from the Revolutionary War, War Between the States, World War I, World War II and other conflicts in United States history. There is also a section dedicated to honor the service of women in the military, with uniforms of the various branches of the Armed Forces in which they served.

The grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will help the museum maintain existing exhibits and artifacts. Funds will also be applied to purchasing new display cases and picture frames, as well as acquiring new artifacts.

“The generous grant from the Gwinnett Braves will allow the museum to expand the displays through the addition of at least two more large display cases in two of our rooms, thus enhancing the exhibits and making it more appealing to our visitors” said Chief Master Sgt. Paul J. Pickard, the Director and Treasurer of the Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum.

About the Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum:  Located at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville, GA, the Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum is run by the Museum Committee, a group of 13 veteran volunteers who meet every Wednesday. To find out how you can volunteer your time and money to the museum, visit www.americanlegionpost232.org and click the Gwinnett Veterans Museum link, or call 770-921-1326.

The original story appeared on the Gwinnett Braves’ website and can be viewed by clicking here.

IronPigs Host Sixth Annual Suites-n-Treats

Annual Event Attracts Nearly 800 Children

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IronPigs Charities hosted its sixth annual Suites-n-Treats event designed to offer a safe and unique ‘trick-or-treating’ opportunity – as well as other Halloween activities — to both under-privileged and special-needs children in the Lehigh Valley.

Nearly children and 1,300 total guests participated in this year’s event, making it the largest Suites-n-Treats turnout in the event’s history.

The Club Level — and for the first time ever the Clubhouse Level – were utilized this year. Coca-Cola Park suite holders were invited to decorate their suite as the children went door-to-door ‘trick-or-treating.’ Other features included cookie decorating, meeting mascots FeRROUS and FeFe, entertainment from a balloon artist, and much more.

As IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes put it, “This is the IronPigs signature community event and, by far, my favorite charitable function we host at Coca-Cola Park.”

Participating non-profits included: Angel 34 Foundation, Autism Resource Community Hub (ARCH), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton), Camelot for Children, Children’s Home of Easton, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care, Dream Come True, Easter Seals, Good Shepherd LVHN Pediatric Clinic, Make-a-Wish, Miracle League of the LV, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Sixth Street Shelter and Valley Youth House.

IronPigs Charities presented by The Air Products Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity of the IronPigs. The mission of IronPigs Charities is to provide educational and recreational opportunities to Lehigh Valley youth. Since its inception in 2007, IronPigs Charities has donated more than $575,000 to the Lehigh Valley community.

For more information or to inquire about the 2014 event, please contact Sarah Marten at smarten@ironpigsbaseball.com.

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

Community Love: 2013 Thus Far

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoIt’s more than numbers. It’s more than hours or dollars. It’s human. It’s real. It’s one of life’s most paradoxical, yet overwhelming true truths. An intangible concept, an experience really, that resounds with a firmness greater than Montage Mountain herself. It is better to give than to receive. Year one of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) and the new PNC Field afforded the new-look franchise and the good folks of NEPA to get to know each other once more through more than just baseball. And the giving? Well, it sure felt good.

Below is a quick checklist of the highlight totals in 2013:

  • Front office staff hours volunteered: 890.5
  • Player hours volunteered: 202.5
  • Mascot appearances: 130
  • Donations: $24,044 (tickets/merchandise/autographed memorabilia)
  • Hurl the Pearl donation (Boys & Girls Club): $12,092
  • Allied Health Services donation: $16,000

Total donation including monetary value of volunteered hours from team/staff, all monetary donations and in-kind donations: $217,737

“The sum totals sound good, but what sticks with me are the individual moments,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “I got more goosebumps from seeing the impact of the efforts spearheaded by our staff and community relations manager Rachel Mark than I’ve had at any other point in my life. It was a very good year.”

The Community Organization of the Night program made its debut this season. Each of the team’s 72 home games spotlighted a local non-profit/civic organization. That CON had the opportunity to spread its message to every guest through a pre-game on-field interview, a ceremonial first pitch, an on-air radio interview and a concourse table display.

The RailRiders’ Military Appreciation Program was implemented this season to show the team’s support of our nation’s active and retired military. The service person and his/her family were honored. Activities included complimentary game tickets, a pre-game on-field interview and a ceremonial first pitch.

SWB’s patriotic pride continued with another new tip of the cap, Setting A Seat Aside. To honor men and women affiliated with our nation’s military whom could not be at PNC Field, one significant seat (section 13, row 15, seat one) will forever remain empty and unsold.

A standard from previous years got a big boost as the Adopt-A-Field Program upped the number of local fields renovated to four. Front office staff and grounds crew members combined to give the area little league/softball fields a big league facelift. Staffers spent the entire day at each park cutting the infield, rebuilding pitching mounds, fertilizing/mowing grass, cleaning dugouts and more. The fields were chosen through a contest on the team’s Facebook page with representatives of local leagues posting pictures of their field and describing its renovation needs. The four photos that received the most “likes” on Facebook were the lucky winners (Avoca/Dupont Little League; South Scranton Little League; Staback Park; Marvine Dutch Gap).

As the top affiliate of the New York Yankees, the RailRiders proudly played their part in the organization’s annual HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) Week effort. The week-long community outreach program’s purpose is to touch as many liveChildrens-Miracle-Network-logo125s as possible in your area. Members of the RailRiders’ coaching staff, players and front office folks made their way throughout NEPA.

The week included a Children’s Miracle Network Day at the Ballpark on July 7. Twin boys who have overcome the worst of health adversities spent time on the field with players during batting practice, Little-League-Challenger-lostopped by the pre-game clubhouse, threw out ceremonial first pitches and spent the game in the owner’s suite with friends and family. One day later, the RailRiders hosted a baseball game for the Lackawanna County Challenger Little League. LCCLL gives children with special needs the chance to participate in athletics. RailRiders coaches and players spent the entire game on the field, coaching and encouraging the boys and girls while helping them to bat, run and slide. A ballpark lunch followed. July 9 meant two surprise hospital visits to Moses Taylor and Geisinger in downtown Scranton. Patients interacted with the players while receiving giveaways, autographs and an overall fun time. The week concluded with players and front office staffers visiting thB&G-of-NEPA-logoe Boys & Girls Club of NEPA. The morning was spent playing baseball, billiards and computer games. The epic conclusion sported a dodgeball match between the RailRiders and the Boys & Girls club.

Voluntary-Action-Center-logoOn Aug. 21, a tag-team food drive by the RailRiders and the Voluntary Action Center of NEPA sought out to stock as many food pantries in NEPA as possible. Fans received free game tickets in exchange for non-perishable food items. In addition to the food from fans, the RailRiders also presented the Voluntary Action Center with a check for $1,300 to assist with the fight against hunger in NEPA.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

 

Bisons given ‘Community Partnership Award’ by Parent Network of WNY

Team honored for support of individuals living with special needs

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The Parent Network of WNY is proud to announce that this year’s recipient of the Community Partnership Award is the Buffalo Bisons. The award will be presented on Thursday, October 17 (7:00 p.m.) at the Alleyway Theatre before the group’s debut of the play, “Always October.”

The Community Partnership Award is presented every year to an agency, school, or person who has assisted individuals with special needs through their activities. The Bisons are an avid supporter of individuals with special needs. Their support of persons with disabilities is not a product of a special effort, rather, they include people with disabilities as members of the community and treat this as “business as usual.”

The Community Partnership Award is presented in conjunction with Parent Network’s annual Harvest Honors Fundraiser. Funds raised are utilized to educate families of children with disabilities about services and supports in the community.

As part of Harvest Honors we will be hosting a Silent Auction and Basket Raffle along with the Red Carpet premier of “Always October”. This ground-breaking play was co-written by Western New Yorkers Mary McLaughlin, Wanda Wilson and Beth Geyer, directed by Victoria Pérez with a cast comprised of both individuals with and without disabilities, as well as parents of those with disabilities.

The Harvest Honors fundraiser is on October 17th and will begin at 5:30pm with a cocktail reception, a silent auction/basket raffle and award ceremony. The main event at Harvest Honors will be the opening of “Always October”. The play will then continue its run until Sunday October 20th. All evening performances are at 7:30pm with a Sunday matinee at 2pm. The fundraiser/play will take place at Alleyway Theatre-1 Curtain Up Alleyway in the heart of Buffalo’s downtown theater district. For ticket information please call Peg Kovach at 332-4170 or visit our website at http://www.parentnetworkwny.org/harvest-honors.

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

Gwinnett Braves Award September Grant to For My Sisters, Inc.

“All About Children” themed grant will help fund the organization’s Back to School program

Gwinnett BravesThe Gwinnett Braves have awarded their $1,000 grant for the month of September to For My Sisters, Inc. The “All About Children” themed grant is aimed at assisting organizations that benefit children.

For My Sisters, Inc. helps single-mom families acquire back to school needs, including school supplies and backpacks, shoes, clothing, and personal care items such as toothpaste and deodorant. According to the organization, 40 percent of single mom families are below the poverty level. For My Sisters, Inc. endeavors to help provide in many areas of child rearing so the children of these families may become healthy, productive adults.

For-My-Sisters-logoThe grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will help the organization in purchasing tennis shoes and clothing required for Georgia schools’ Physical Education programs. This will ease the financial strain on numerous single-mom families, especially those with more than one child.

“Because of this wonderful, generous grant from the Gwinnett Braves, For My Sisters will be able to provide new shoes and other necessities for a successful school year for many children,” said Kari Price, Executive Director of For My Sisters, Inc.

The original story appeared on the Gwinnett Braves’ website and can be viewed by clicking here.