Hooks Fans Donate Nearly $72,000 in 2022

CORPUS CHRISTI – The Corpus Christi Hooks awarded over $70,000 this past season to several local non-profits through contributions made by fans towards the Astros Foundation Share2Care 50/50 raffle.

Non-profit recipients included CC RIMZ, Texas State Aquarium, Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana, Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation, The Traveling Library, USO South Texas, Corpus Christi Police Officers Association & Corpus Christi Professional Firefighters Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation Chapter 598, Goodwill Industries of South Texas, Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, Coastal Bend Food Bank and Rainbow Room.

“Thank you to our fans who make this possible, their support impacts more than just baseball as shown by the diversity of 50/50 raffle recipients in 2022,” Hooks General Manager Brady Ballard said. “The Astros Foundation Share2Care Raffle continues to be a gameday staple and creates a win-win experience for both our fans and the community.”

CC RIMZ promotes adaptive sports within the Coastal Bend. Texas State Aquarium aims to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation. The mission of Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation was created to expand awareness of his legacy and the continued relevance of his fight for equal rights for all. The Traveling Library provides knowledge to those in need by providing literature and other resources that are needed. USO South Texas serves NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville, connecting military service members to family, home and country.

The Corpus Christi Police Officers Association and Corpus Christi Professional Firefighters Association advocate for the safety and well-being of first responders and citizens through community action and support of local non-profit organizations. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation Chapter 598 was formed for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration and offers youth programs focused on fostering patriotism and good citizenship among America’s youth. Goodwill Industries of South Texas provides job training, placement services, and other Coastal Bend-based programs for people who have barriers to their employment.

The Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas promotes the advancement of women in public, corporate and civic life through education, personal and professional development. Coastal Bend Food Bank fights hunger and promotes wellness through food distribution and nutrition education. Rainbow Room provides hope for abused and neglected children.

Luis Nevarez's Home Run for Life

This is the fifth Home Run for Life game of the 2022 season. Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar by Horizon Transport to benefit Beacon Children’s Hospital.

There’s very little in life that can stand between a boy and his dog. The same sentiment holds true for 11-year-old Luis Nevarez and his pup, Daisy.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO BEACON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Recently, The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Luis his wish with the pomeranian puppy.

In February of 2020, walking without balance, vomiting, and experiencing dizziness at school, his mother Claudia rushed him to Beacon Memorial Hospital in South Bend for a brain scan.

“It was the worst day of my life. I was afraid he could die,” said Claudia.

Their worst fears had come true. Luis was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called malignant neoplasm of the cerebellum.

His first bout of radiation commenced shortly thereafter with chemotherapy treatments wrapping up in December of that year.

Luis is now in remission and continues to get MRI scans every three months.

Thank you to Horizon Transport for sponsoring this week’s Home Run for Life game. Every dollar raised during the game will be matched by Horizon Transport and will benefit Beacon Children’s Hospital. Horizon Transport, a highly respected leader in the RV world, is dedicated to the health and well-being of the children in our area. To make a donation, please click here.

Beacon Children’s Hospital is Michiana’s only community-owned, not-for-profit hospital designed just for kids!

Home Run for Life 2022 Dates (click each date to purchase tickets)

Make-A-Wish HV announces World Wish Day celebration with Renegades

TARRYTOWN, NY (April 12, 2022) – Having granted more than 3,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses since the chapter’s founding in 1986, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley staff, volunteers and supporters know about the power of a wish and how it restores hope for local children battling with critical illnesses.

Every year, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley – along with other chapters and affiliates worldwide – celebrate World Wish Day on April 29, the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of the organization 42 years ago.

In celebration of World Wish Day, Make-A-Wish supporters are invited to celebrate the power of a wish at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY to rally around the tagline:

“Restore hope with a wish.”

In partnership with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Make-A-Wish will host a local World Wish Day Ambassador, wish kid Bryan and his family, to represent the over 3,000 children who have had a wish granted by the chapter. Bryan will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and take part in on-field activities at the Renegades game that night. In addition, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley President & CEO, Kristine Burton and Bryan will spend time in the radio broadcast booth to talk about the impact of a wish and how everyone has the power to restore hope with a wish.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.gadesgroups.com. The password is WISH. Tickets will be available for purchase through this link until Wednesday April 27th at 11:30pm, two days prior to the game.

Inspired by new research on the impact of a wish, World Wish Day 2022 focuses on how the hope that a wish provides can improve the emotional and mental well-being for children with critical illnesses, helping them to deal with, and overcome, their illness.

Today, Make-A-Wish is releasing new research in the form of the 2022 Wish Impact Study that provides quantitative data to lend credibility to the anecdotal feedback heard regularly from wish families. The powerful results of the Wish Impact Study add to a growing body of research demonstrating how wish-fulfillment promotes mental and emotional well-being for children and their families who are facing trauma stemming from a critical illness.

The online study surveyed three groups of individuals: parents of wish kids, wish alumni (i.e., former wish recipients) and doctors. The parents and alumni who were surveyed experienced a wish between 2009 and 2019, allowing them to look back and assess the lasting, long-term impact of the wish. In total, 3,411 people completed the survey.

Wish parents made up the majority of respondents with 93% of parents acknowledging that their family experienced traumatic stress due to their child’s critical illness. After their child’s wish was granted, 94% of parents recalled seeing improvements in their child’s emotional well-being, so much so that 91% of parents reported the wish gave their child a better chance of surviving their illness.

The wish alumni who completed the survey affirm the wish parents’ sentiments. 87% of alumni stated that they and their families experienced traumatic stress during their battle with a critical illness. Their wish played an integral role in counteracting the mental and emotional distress. More than 90% of the alumni agreed that the wish improved their quality of life, brought their family closer together, boosted their self-esteem and gave them hope for the future. Interestingly, 60% of the alumni indicated that they had fully recovered from their illness, helping to dispel the common misconception that children must have an end-of-life prognosis to be eligible for a wish.

Perhaps the most overwhelmingly positive feedback on the impact of a wish came from the pediatric doctors who participated in the study. More than 90% of the doctors said they witnessed their patients overcoming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety and depression after their wish. Furthermore, 95% of the doctors reported the wish improved their patients’ emotional and physical well-being. 75% of the doctors went as far as to state that a wish could improve a child’s medical outcomes.

“At a time when families are dealing with unplanned hospital stays and uncomfortable treatments, a wish can provide children with the chance to reclaim a piece of their childhood and a sense of control,” said Dr. Shoba Sriktantan, MD, FAAP and chair of the Make-A-Wish National Medical Advisory Council. “After coming back from a wish, many of my patients exhibit a renewed sense of hope and greater compliance with their treatment, which is why I – and many of my peers – consider a wish to be an important part of a child’s treatment plan.”

To learn more about the Wish Impact Study and find out how you can get involved, visit hudson.wish.org.

About Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley

Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have received a wish are able to build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight critical illnesses. Since its inception in 1986, the Hudson Valley Chapter has granted wishes to over 3,000 children in the community it serves. The Chapter’s territory spans eight counties of the Hudson Valley, including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. The Chapter is a Better Business Bureau Wise Alliance Accredited Charity, meeting the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Additionally, a recent independent audit of the chapter reported that 73% of all funds raised go to program services. For more information about the Hudson Valley Chapter visit hudson.wish.org.

About the Hudson Valley Renegades

The Renegades are in their second season as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They have played their home games at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. since 1994. The Renegades opened the 2022 season on Friday, April 8 at the Greenville Drive with a nine-game road trip before returning home for the home opener at The Dutch on Tuesday, April 19 against the Brooklyn Cyclones. Single-game tickets are on sale now at https://www.milb.com/hudson-valley/tickets/single-game-tickets, by phone at (845) 838-0094 or at the ticket office at The Dutch.

About Diamond Baseball Holdings

Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) is a subsidiary of Endeavor, the global sports and entertainment company. DBH was formed in 2021 to support, promote, and enhance Minor League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment. (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).

Timber Rattlers Give Back Announces End-of-Year Funds Raised

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Timber Rattlers Give Back, the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, raised more than $185,000 through the Foundation’s events, programs, donations, and fundraising initiatives in 2021.

“The Timber Rattlers are fortunate to live in a supportive community and the team works hard to develop and implement programs and events to give back to the community,” said Dayna Baitinger, Director of Community Relations for the team.

Nine jersey auctions held during the season were the main fundraisers for the Timber Rattlers this year. The auctions included team-worn jerseys based on promotions for the Udder Tuggers, Los Cascabeles, Military Appreciation, Milwaukee Brewers, and Video Game.

The team is finalizing their jersey designs for the 2022 season and will unveil those designs early next year.

The annual Charity Golf Outing which was held on Tuesday, September 21 was another significant fundraiser. Nearly 100 area golfers and front office personnel collected $15,000 through the golf and raffles that were held after the outing.

An almost daily driver of donations to Give Back was the 50/50 Raffle that was held during every home game during the 2021 season. Fifty percent of all money raised during each night’s raffle went to the person with the winning ticket and the other fifty percent went to the foundation. There was over $65,000 raised for charity through the raffle during the year. The largest fund-raising night of the 50/50 raffle during the 2021 season was on Saturday, August 14 with the winner collecting $2,304 and the same amount going to Give Back.

Whiffer’s Fitness Program and Fang’s Reading Club were popular program run by the team for area youth through the mascots. The reading club is an incentive-based program that allows schools in Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula to get children from Kindergarten through fifth grade involved in reading. The fitness program helped to get kids in the Fox Cities to get and stay active.

Wisconsin front office members tended to their on-site vegetable garden to grow and harvest over 400 pounds of food in the Greenstone Farm Credit Services Ballpark Garden at Neuroscience Group Field. The harvest was taken to St. Joe’s Food Pantry. Fang celebrated his birthday in August with his annual Cans for Cake food drive and over 500 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected and donated to St. Joe’s.

Some of the charities helped by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2021 included Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Children’s Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin, St. Joe’s Food Pantry, Harvest of Hope Fund, Hunger Task Force, Community Christmas, Fond du Lac Salvation Army, The Salvation Army-Fox Cities, Treffert Center, and Miracle League of the Fox Valley.

Additionally, 2,000 hats were presented to area Little League programs. Numerous other charities received over 10,000 ticket vouchers to be used in their own fundraisers by the Rattlers.

Timber Rattlers Give Back was established in 2019 and is dedicated to making a positive difference in our community. We aim to provide financial support and help raise awareness of charitable causes in the Fox Valley community in the areas of education, youth sports, and basic needs by using the platform made possible by Minor League Baseball and stadium ownership.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in our charitable works in 2021. We could not have accomplished this without the support of the players, coaches, and community. We look forward to growing Give Back even more in 2022.

WooSox are “Going Gold” for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night, Set for Friday, September 24, 6:35 PM

Resilience of those in the fight will be celebrated with pregame ceremony, in-game tribute, and postgame gold-themed fireworks show.

 

WORCESTER, MA – September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Worcester Red Sox will pay tribute by “going gold” for their final Friday night game at Polar Park this inaugural season, scheduled for September 24 at 6:35 PM. Gold ribbons will be painted on the field in foul territory, players will have the option of wearing gold wristbands, and more than 100 childhood cancer patients and their families will be invited to help form a human gold ribbon in the outfield during the WooSox’ pregame ceremonies. At the end of one inning, tentatively set for the 3rd inning, the players from both teams will hold gold placards, as will fans, media, and broadcasters, each inscribed with the name of someone who has been in the battle.

The families who are participating come to the WooSox via Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts & Rhode Island, the Tomorrow Fund, the UMass Memorial Health Cancer Center, and Why Me & Sherry’s House. All are community partners of the WooSox and the WooSox Foundation.

In advance of the night, the WooSox will present a check for more than $50,000 on Wednesday, September 22 to UMass Memorial Medical Center, the exclusive health care provider of the WooSox. On Friday, the WooSox Foundation will present another $10,000 to the Jimmy Fund Clinic. WooSox fans raised those funds at Polar Park in advance of last month’s Red Sox/ Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon on WEEI and NESN.

Worcester Red Sox Principal Owner and Chairman Larry Lucchino is the Chairman of the legendary Jimmy Fund. The Dana-Farber Institute has saved Lucchino’s life three times.

“It is part of our Red Sox ethos to partner with the Jimmy Fund, part of our Worcester ethos to partner with UMass Memorial, and part of our Pawtucket heritage to partner with the Tomorrow Fund,” Lucchino said. “We are also joining forces with local charities, such as Why Me? and Sherry’s Place, with more to come in the future. All of Red Sox Nation should be aware of the long history we have of fighting this cruel, miserable disease. We should be aware of the strides we have taken, the heroic research going on right now, and the miles we have to go before we conquer cancer.”

Fans will find the gold placards at their seat, and after writing the name of the person whom they want to remember or honor, they will rise as one at the end of the third inning. Fans with general admission tickets may pick up the placards and permanent markers at tables around the ballpark.

Following the game, the WooSox will present their final fireworks show of the season, gold-themed with inspiring music about perseverance, strength, and compassion from “Rocky,” Rachel Platten, and others. The fireworks spectacular is presented by UniBank.

The WooSox invite fans to help make Polar Park a sea of gold on Childhood Cancer Awareness Night and donate to the WooSox Foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to fight childhood cancer. Fans may donate by visiting marked tables around the ballpark, scanning the QR code located on the back of their gold placard, or by visiting woosoxfoundation.org. Tickets

for the game may be purchased online at polarpark.com, by phone at (508) 500-8888, or in person at the Polar Park Ticket Office at 100 Madison Street.

Pelicans Host Online Charity Bobblehead Challenge

 

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are teaming up with Carolina Cool, WPDE, and Gator 107.9 to feature the Adam Dellinger vs. Ed Piotrowski Charity Bobblehead Challenge. Fans will have the opportunity to pick a bobblehead of their choosing for a $20 charitable donation. Both bobbleheads will be available through the team website and online store beginning Tuesday, October 13 at 10am EST. Complete details as well as a link to the bobbleheads are available at myrtlebeachpelicans.com/bobbleheadchallenge.

Proceeds from the Adam bobblehead will benefit the family of Maddie McKnight and proceeds from the Ed bobblehead will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Salvation Army.

“The charity bobblehead challenge is certainly different than our traditional method of distributing bobbleheads,” stated Pelicans General Manager Ryan Moore. “But we’ve chosen this approach because we do not view this promotion as a giveaway but instead as a fundraiser designed to do the most good. We’re excited to be partnering with Adam and Ed and know that this wouldn’t be possible without their support.”

Maddie Mcknight was a young Seaside Elementary School Student who battled Rett Syndrome. Tragically, Maddie, a second grader at Seaside, lost her battle with the debilitating illness earlier this year. This rare, non-inherited genetic postnatal neurological disorder occurs primarily in girls and more rarely in boys. Rett syndrome leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life.

“I have the honor to be able to work with, and support several Grand Strand Charities. Many of these charities impact hundreds of folks, stated Adam Dellinger, host of the Gator Morning Show. “Sometimes though, it’s really great to be able to help one person or a single family. Maddie’s story hit close to home for me as the father of a young girl, and I’m thankful to be able to use the Charity Bobblehead Challenge to help her family during this unimaginably difficult time. Maddie’s family is hampered with medical expenses, and hopefully, through this fundraiser, we can work to ease their burden.”

The Salvation Army exists to meet human needs wherever, whenever, and however we can. Through programs that serve the mind, body, and soul, we alleviate the effects of poverty, then work to address root causes.

Every 34 minutes Make-A-Wish® grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a critical illness in the United States and its territories. They believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides them in everything they do and inspires them to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids they serve.

“During the pandemic, everyone is struggling,” stated Ed Piotrowski. “I chose the Salvation Army as one of the beneficiaries because of the incredible work they do in our community helping people get their basic needs met. The other half of the proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. No child should ever have to deal with a life-threatening medical condition. By fulfilling their wishes, I hope to take their minds off their illness and bring joy to their lives. More importantly, I hope it gives them the strength and courage to battle and beat their illness.”

Timber Rattlers Release 2019 Charity Report

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – It was a good year for the various charities supported by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Charity Fund. The Rattlers have released a brief report on their charitable works during 2019 as they prepare for 2020.

The main fundraisers for the 2019 Timber Rattlers were the seven jersey auctions held during the 2019 season. The auctions included team-worn jerseys based on promotions for the Udder Tuggers, Los Cascabeles, Military Appreciation, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Brewers, Star WarsTM, and Wisconsin Brats. These auctions raised almost $18,000 for local charities.

The Timber Rattlers are finalizing their jersey designs for the 2020 season and will unveil those designs as Opening Night for next season gets closer.

The annual Charity Golf Outing which was held on June 3, 2019 was another significant fundraiser. Nearly 100 area golfers plus Timber Rattlers players, coaches, and front office personnel collected over $8,500 for the Timber Rattlers Charity Foundation through the golf and raffles that were held after the outing. The 2020 Charity Golf Outing is scheduled for Monday, June 1 at Shamrock Heights Golf Course in Shawano.

The team was also involved in programs like Whiffer’s Fitness Program and Fang’s Reading Club. The reading club is an incentive-based program that allows schools in Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula to get children from Kindergarten through fifth grade involved in reading. The fitness program helped to get kids in the Fox Cities to get and stay active.

Mascots Whiffer & Fang got into the charitable spirit on their birthdays, too. Whiffer’s Birthday in March coincided with the team’s individual tickets on sale date and a Help for the Homeless Drive that collected hygiene products for area homeless shelters. Fang’s Birthday in August collected 410 pounds in non-perishable food items as part of the Cans for Cake food drive.

The Timber Rattlers front offices also tended to their on-site garden to grow and harvest over 400 pounds of food in the Greenstone Farm Credit Services Ballpark Garden at Neuroscience Group Field. The fresh vegetables were taken to St. Joe’s Food Pantry.

Some of the charities helped by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2019 included Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Children’s Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin, St. Joe’s Food Pantry, Freedom Food Pantry, Lupus Foundation, Farm Aid, and Miracle League of the Fox Valley.

Additionally, over 2000 hats were presented to area Little League programs. Numerous other charities received over 10,000 ticket vouchers to be used in their own fundraisers by the Rattlers.

The team established the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Fund with the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region in 2016 to benefit the team’s charitable works.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in our charitable works in 2019. We could not have accomplished this without the support of the players, coaches, and community. We look forward to 2020.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Chasers in the Community 2019 Review

 

The Omaha Storm Chasers in conjunction with Chasers Charities and Spectra Food Services and Hospitality donated $571,229.19 to numerous Omaha Metro charities in 2019, with the Storm Chasers aligning with more than 300 different organizations. Storm Chasers front office members also combined for nearly 600 hours of community service in the Omaha Metro this year.

“Relationships and community are imperative to what this organization is about,” said Storm Chasers President Martie Cordaro. “Werner Park is a community center so we have a responsibility to Sarpy County and the Omaha Metro to continue to be engaged by being present and giving back.”

During the 2019 season, the Storm Chasers organization provided a platform for 70 non-profit organizations at Werner Park as its Community Organization of the Night. The McDonald’s and Huber Chevrolet Hurl the Pearl promotion also raised $13,378 for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, $21,395 was donated to various Omaha Metro charities, including Make-a-Wish Nebraska, Gold Glove Charities and Food Bank for the Heartland, through six different Jersey Auctions throughout the season. More than 4,000 canned goods were also donated to Heartland Hope Mission through the Storm Chasers’ Hy-Vee Canned Food Sunday promotion.

A total of $10,865.20 was also raised through the Storm Chasers’ Omaha Potholes promotion to help repair local little league fields with City of Bellevue Recreation and DC West Youth Sports damaged by historic floods this spring, along with matching donations from the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers organizations. The Storm Chasers organization’s relationship with Minor League Baseball and the efforts of President and General Manager Martie Cordaro also helped secure a joint $50,000 donation from Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to Team Rubicon to support Winter Storm Ulmer disaster relief efforts.

The Storm Chasers organization was also visible throughout the Omaha Metro community, as the combined number of mascot and player appearances totaled nearly 300. Chasers Charities in partnership with The Weitz Company also awarded two $1,000 college scholarships through the Jackie Robinson Scholarship program to Jaden Ferguson and Damicah Dutton-Burton.

Furthermore, the Storm Chasers and Spectra Food Services and Hospitality once again provided local non-profit organizations and community groups to raise funds by volunteering at concessions stands during the season. A total of $51,531 was raised by those volunteers through this program.

In addition, over 9,000 cocktails were sold in the Jack Daniel’s Club over the course of the 2019 season, raising over $4,500 in partnership with Jack Daniel’s for Operation Ride Home.

A full overview of the Storm Chasers’ 2019 Community Relations efforts can be found online at this link: https://www.milb.com/omaha/community/home

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Owen Tabbed as Indy’s Pirates Community Commitment Award Winner

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Representing the Indianapolis Indians with class both on and off the field, utilityman Hunter Owen will be honored in an on-field ceremony at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park on Wednesday, September 18, prior to the Pirates hosting the Seattle Mariners at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Evansville, Ind. native and Indiana State University product has been selected as Indy’s 2019 Pirates Community Commitment Award winner.

Owen led all Indians players by dedicating a combined 15 volunteer service hours to the Altoona, Pa. and Indianapolis communities. One honoree is chosen from every affiliate in the Pirates farm system each season.

In Indianapolis, Owen devoted off-the-field hours to Make-a-Wish and the Indianapolis Kiwanis Luncheon, where he was a guest panelist. Owen, 25, also dedicated his time to youth clinics, meet-and-greets with young Indians fans and autograph signings. In Altoona, he volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.

Instituted in 2008, the Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) helps each player in the Pirates organization understand the personal and professional growth opportunities linked to community service, as they are viewed as role models or potential leaders.

To purchase season tickets, contact the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-3545 or Tickets@IndyIndians.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Birds renew partnership with Axelrod & Associates and Make-A-Wish Foundation

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 29, 2019) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in partnership with Axelrod & Associates, P.A., are glad to announce the renewal of the home run promotion which benefits the South Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation. For every home run hit by a Pelicans player in a 2019 game at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark, Axelrod & Associates will donate $100 to the South Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Come out and support Make-A-Wish and the Pelicans,” Managing Attorney Stuart Axelrod said. “Got baseball?”

Additionally, the GotAxelrod.com billboard in right-centerfield returns, which includes a caricature of Mr. Stuart M. Axelrod extending a glove to make a catch. If a home run ball by a Pelicans player goes through the cutout hole in the glove then one lucky fan in attendance will be chosen at random to win $100,000. Fans must be present at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark to win. The winner will be selected based on the tickets scanned at the gates prior to the first pitch.

The Pelicans’ 2019 season kicks off on April 4 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Season tickets are available now. For more information or to purchase tickets visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 843-918-6000.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A–Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since being acquired by a group led by Chuck Greenberg during the 2006 season, the Pelicans have repeatedly set team attendance records and become known as one of Minor League Baseball’s most innovative and creative franchises. The team and its employees have been dedicated to making a difference in the Myrtle Beach community, specifically giving back over $2 million in donations, fundraising proceeds, in–kind services and community service since launching the Pelicans Play It Forward Community Initiative in 2013. TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons. In June 2017, the Pelicans won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. On the field, the team has won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back–to–back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half–season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918–6000 or email Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Timber Rattlers Release 2018 Charity Report

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had a busy season off the field with their charitable works. The Midwest League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers is reporting on their year as 2018 is coming to a close and they are preparing for 2019.

The two main fundraisers for the Timber Rattlers were the Golf Outing and their specialty jersey auctions. The 2018 Golf Outing was held at Shamrock Heights Golf Course and raised over $6,700 with the participation of 82 area golfers plus 17 members of the Timber Rattlers team including players, coaches, and front office personnel. The team held seven auctions for their alternate jerseys that included the Brats, Salute to Cows, Star Wars™, Wisconsin Badgers, & Brewers Sunday uniforms and raised nearly $13,000 for local charities. The 2019 Timber Rattlers Golf Outing is scheduled for June 3. The Rattlers are in the process of creating their alternate jerseys for next season.

The team was also involved in programs like Whiffer’s Fitness Program and Fang’s Reading Club. The fitness program helped to get kids in the Fox Cities to get and stay active. The reading club is an incentive-based program that allows schools in Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula to get children from Kindergarten through fifth grade involved in reading.

Mascots Whiffer & Fang got into the charitable spirit on their birthdays, too. Whiffer’s Birthday in March coincided with the team’s individual tickets on sale date and a Help for the Homeless Drive that collected hygiene products for area homeless shelters. Fang’s Birthday in August collected 328 pounds in non-perishable food items as part of the Cans for Cake food drive.

The Rattlers didn’t just collect food. They also grew and harvested over 400 pounds of food in the Greenstone Farm Credit Services Ballpark Garden at Neuroscience Group Field. The fresh vegetables were taken to St. Joe’s Food Pantry.

Area Little Leagues were presented with over 2000 hats with the support of the Rattlers.

Some of the charities helped by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2018 included Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Children’s Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin, St. Joe’s Food Pantry, Freedom Food Pantry, and Miracle League of the Fox Valley.

Numerous other charities were also given Timber Rattlers ticket vouchers to be used in their own fundraisers. The Timber Rattlers could not have accomplished this without the support of the players, coaches, and community.

The team established the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Fund with the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region in 2016 to benefit the team’s charitable works.

The schedule for the 2019 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers season is available here. Fans may purchase full season, half season, seven-game, and ten-game packages for next season through the Timber Rattlers Ticket Office at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium by calling (800) WI-TIMBER or (920) 733-4152; stopping at the Ticket Office; or online through timberrattlers.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Tampa Yankees Announce HOPE Week 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees will participate in HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) from Tuesday, August 8th through Saturday, August 12th, 2017.

HOPE Week is a community program, created by the New York Yankees in 2009, designed to bring to light five remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities. The initiative is based on the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than the recipient of the gesture. Visit www.hopeweek.com for more information.

Throughout HOPE Week, the Tampa Yankees will reach out to individuals, families and organizations worthy of recognition and support, surprising honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments.

Tuesday, August 8th – The Tampa Yankees will attend the Lighthouse Center for Creative Learning (a school for children with autism) and hang out with kids, including playing catch and reading, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students and families from the center are invited to attend the 7:00 p.m. game vs. the Clearwater Threshers and take the field with the T-Yanks as part of the Baseball Buddies Program.

The Lighthouse Center for Creative Learning has been “helping students find their way for more than 15 years!” For more information, visit www.come2lighthouse.com.

Wednesday, August 9th – The Tampa Yankees will visit A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay and hang out with the kids, playing games from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

“A Kid’s Place provides residential services to children from birth to age 18, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment and to provide a variety of services which meet the social, educational, medical, and psychological needs of the child.” – www.akidsplacetb.org.

Thursday, August 10th – The Tampa Yankees plan to visit Trinity Café and assist in serving lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Trinity Café opened in 2001. Its mission is “to restore a sense of dignity to the homeless & hungry while serving a nutritious meal. We faithfully treat all of God’s children with dignity, compassion, love, and respect.” – www.trinitycafe.org.

Friday, August 11th – The Make-A-Wish Foundation will attend the 7:00 p.m. game between the Tampa Yankees and St. Lucie Mets and accept donations. The foundation will also participate in the Baseball Buddies Program, giving kids the opportunity to go on the field and meet players. A representative from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. More information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation can be found at www.wish.org.

Saturday, August 12th – HOPE Week will conclude with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s “Cut for a Cure” campaign as well as “Blue’s Back to School Party.”

Tampa Yankees players, staff and fans will be able to help pediatric cancer research by having their heads shaved, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pediatric cancer survivors will be on hand to shave the heads of participants and will then get to participate in the Baseball Buddies program prior to the 6:30 p.m. game vs. the St. Lucie Mets. Click here for more information and to donate to “Cut for a Cure.”

Fans are also invited to join Blue for a back-to-school party. The first 1,000 kids 14-and-younger will receive a T-Yanks drawstring bag, courtesy of OneMain Financial. The night will end with a post-game fireworks show.

To purchase single game tickets, fans can visit the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office or go online to www.tybaseball.com. Tickets start at $5 for upper reserved seating, $8 for lower reserved seating, and parking is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

Timber Rattlers to Hold Online Auctions for Game-Worn Items

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are trying something different to help raise money for their Charity Foundation. The players and coaches on the team will wear special jerseys during three games on their eight-game homestand that begins on Thursday. These items will be available for bid on www.timberrattlersauctions.com.

The first auction will be for the Star Wars™-themed jersey for Star Wars Night on Saturday, June 24. The auction has started and will be live until 8:30pm on Saturday night. Proceeds from this auction will go to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.

The second auction will include the military-themed hats and jerseys for Military Appreciation Day on Sunday, June 25. This auction has also started and will be live until 3:00pm on Sunday. Money raised from this auction will benefit the Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc.

The final auction of the homestand will be for the Cow-Patterned jerseys that will be worn for Salute to Cows Night on Thursday, June 29. This auction will begin on at 9:00am on Tuesday, June 27 and will end at 9:00pm on June 29. Proceeds from this auction will benefit the Freedom Food Pantry.

Tickets for June 24, June 25, and June 29 are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER, or in person. The Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00pm.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Star Wars jersey auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern NC

The Mudcats will pay homage to Princess Leia with special Star Wars game jerseys on Friday, May 5. The jerseys are available via online auction with the net proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

PawSox Again Cross the $100,000 Mark in Community Contributions in 2016

The Pawtucket Red Sox again reached a six-figure charitable milestone in 2016, exceeding $100,000 in cash commitments and contributions to the community. The club and its foundation, the Pawtucket Red Sox/James J. Skeffington Charitable Foundation, have typically combined to reach such a level of philanthropy over the past dozen years.

“We inherited a great tradition of giving, led by the late Ben Mondor and our current Vice-Chairman, Mike Tamburro,” said PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino, who established charitable foundations with each of his previous clubs (the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox). “We want to build on this tradition. We believe we are only beginning to scratch the surface of the potential of the PawSox Foundation.

“One of the greatest assets of a professional baseball team is its power to raise funds, do good deeds large and small, and make a real difference in the city, the state, and the region.”

The PawSox Foundation’s largest single commitment this year was the creation of the PawSox Scholars Program, in which two 8th graders, one from Pawtucket and one from Central Falls, were selected to each receive a $10,000 college scholarship upon matriculation, provided they maintain their good standards of scholarship and citizenship.

On November 4, the students, 13-year-old Charlisa Kollie, an 8th-grader at Pawtucket’s Samuel Slater Junior High School, and 14-year-old Ethan Hoke, an 8th-grader at Central Falls’ Dr. Earl Calcutt Middle School, were joined at a McCoy Stadium Press Announcement by their respective Mayors, the Honorable Donald R. Grebien of Pawtucket, and the Honorable James Diossa of Central Falls.

“The PawSox Scholars program has the capacity to impact lives dramatically,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg, who was instrumental in establishing similar models in San Diego (Padres Scholars) and Boston (Red Sox Scholars). “Funding dreams is powerful, and we are eager to increase the degree to which the PawSox Foundation does so.”

In addition to efforts in education, the PawSox Foundation also focuses on care for veterans and for children battling cancer.

In the first week of new management in November of 2015, the PawSox hosted a steak dinner for veterans in the PawSox Clubhouse. They did so again in 2016, and in between, they honored a veteran on the field between innings nightly in the new “In Debt to a Vet” program. On Veterans Day, 2016, the PawSox Foundation made a donation of $3,000 to Operation Stand Down Rhode Island in an event attended by Governor Gina Raimondo.

The PawSox Foundation raised more than $10,000 for the Tomorrow Fund, the honored Rhode Island institution that helps families whose children are battling cancer at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Beyond the financial help, the PawSox raised awareness for the organization and the cause by “Going Gold” on September 1, the beginning of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The club honored Rhode Island’s Melissa Murray, whose late son, Dorian, became an international social media sensation (#DSTRONG) when the little boy’s dream of becoming famous in China came true. Throughout the year and at the holidays, PawSox players, executives, and mascots visited the children, bringing cheer, smiles, and gifts.

Throughout the year, the club engaged in community activities, both at McCoy Stadium and throughout Rhode Island. Corporate partners such as the Rhode Island Honda Dealers, Citizens Bank, and Jordan’s Furniture were instrumental in the efforts.

In January, the PawSox welcomed Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey III, who gave first-hand anecdotes to local youth about his legendary namesake grandfather and the revolutionary signing of Jackie Robinson.

In February, PawSox staff “saw their shadows” on Groundhog Day, as Pawtucket students learned first-hand about the work in a baseball front office. Later that month, Paws and Sox visited seniors and brought them flowers on Valentine’s Day.

In March, new club leaders toured the Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, a longtime beneficiary of PawSox philanthropy.

Throughout the baseball season, the PawSox were host to thousands of children, some receiving free tickets, some receiving special care from the Make-A-Wish Program, and some participating in the emotion-filled Challengers Program (for those with disabilities). The club and its foundation presented baseball clinics, collected donations for the Rhode Island Food Bank, and helped hundreds of organizations raise funds for their charities. The club also aided various non-profits by providing hundreds of auction items, including a 20-person suite to benefit Special Olympics of Rhode Island.

In October, the PawSox opened the ballpark to the neighborhood for an Open House and then a Halloween Trick or Treat event.

In November, after welcoming the veterans, the club welcomed 3rd graders from the Potter-Burns School in Pawtucket for a Thanksgiving luncheon in the PawSox Clubhouse. Also at Thanksgiving, the PawSox donated funds and in-person support to Pawtucket First Lady Laureen Grebien’s charitable basket drive to help feed needy families.

In December, the PawSox Holiday Caravan featuring Southpaw Brian Johnson visited Hasbro Children’s Hospital and the Tomorrow Fund Clinic. The PawSox then opened their doors to all for a free holiday event, the 2nd Annual PawSox Enchanted Village, which drew more than 1,000 fans.

A week later, more students-this time members of Goff Middle School in Pawtucket–enjoyed a Holiday Luncheon in the PawSox Clubhouse. Steinberg and General Manager Dan Rea explained the importance of education while mascots Paws and Sox provided entertainment.

The PawSox Foundation engaged in many less visible deeds as well, including sponsoring a PawSox-themed house at the Pawtucket Winter Wonderland and making donations to the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen to provide Christmas meals to families.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.