PRMC AND SHOREBIRDS PARTNER FOR SUCCESSFUL FLU CLINIC

For a fifth consecutive year, the Delmarva Shorebirds and Peninsula Regional Medical Center partnered to put on a “Drive-Thru” Flu Clinic in the parking lot of Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. PRMC administered vaccinations on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22 from 10 am until 6 pm.

“We treasure our relationship with PRMC and we look forward to lending our parking lot to them each and every year,” said general manager Chris Bitters. “We hope that people continue to take advantage of the convenience and care that the “Drive-Thru” clinic provides.”

This year, the two-day clinic administered approximately 5,000 vaccinations according to PRMC Director of Community Relations, Roger Follebout, Jr.

“It has been an incredible relationship with the Delmarva Shorebirds,” said Follebout. “The Shorebirds have provided us with everything we need to successfully run this clinic to accommodate over 5,000 people.”

Peninsula Regional Medical Center has effectively used the “Drive-Thru” model for the last 17 years. The clinic was previously run at the hospital until PRMC went in search of a bigger venue.

“We went looking for a venue that could accommodate 7,000 cars over two days and we found it at Perdue Stadium.” said Follebout. “If we can vaccinate 5,000 people, that’s 5,000 people that won’t get the flu this year.”

Including nurses, hospital administrators and volunteers, between 75-100 people assisted in the overall operation of the clinic.

If you missed the clinic and are in need of more information about vaccinations, please contact Peninsula Regional Medical Center at 1-800-955-PRMC or visit them online at www.peninsula.org.

Sherman gets ready for the Flu Clinic
Sherman watches as the cars drive up for the Flu Clinic

BLUE ROCKS DONATE NEARLY $750,000 TO LOCAL CAUSES

Team’s Efforts with Marketing Partners & Fans Touch Thousands

The Wilmington Blue Rocks continued their commitment of giving back to the community throughout the 2010 season. The year saw the team, in tandem with its marketing partners and fans, raise $744,721.99 worth of contributions to local charities, schools and community organizations. The sum includes many different types of contributions including cash, tickets and services.

“We take pride in being able to contribute at this level to youth and charitable organizations in the greater Wilmington area,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “I’m certain that we could not have done this without assistance from our 2010 marketing partners and fans that also played a large role in raising these funds.”

Below is a breakdown of the team’s efforts in the community during the campaign:

Cash Donations – $19,115

The Wilmington Blue Rocks were able to donate $19,115 to local organizations in 2010. These donations included Little League sponsorships, specialty game-worn memorabilia auctions, ticket kickbacks, and a sponsorship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware.

During select games, the Blue Rocks wore special jerseys or hats. That apparel was then auctioned and raffled off during those games. Some items were auctioned off online as well. Below are a few examples:

Boots on the Ground – Blue Rocks wore Camo hats
Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition – Blue Rocks wore Pink jerseys
B+ Foundation – Blue Rocks wore Throwback jerseys

Other organizations that benefited from this included: The Ronnie Williams Foundation, the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, and the Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation.

Ticket Donations – 66,798 tickets, Value – $601,182

Each year, the Blue Rocks are able to accommodate almost every donation request. Through those donation requests, school programs, and by offering bulk tickets to select local organizations (Kind to Kids, USO Delaware, Delaware Police Departments, and more), the Blue Rocks were able to donate almost 67,000 tickets for the 2010 season.

Centerplate Concession Stand Money – $63,149.99

During the 2010 season, local organizations had the opportunity to work the concession stands during Blue Rocks games. In exchange, Centerplate, the concessionaire for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, gave them a portion of the revenue from that game. Throughout the season, over $63,000 was donated to these organizations for their efforts.

Non-Ticket Donations – $21,575

These donations are for extraordinary cases that call for something extra special. Non-ticket donations consist of:

Luxury Suites
Experience Items (first pitches, on-field inclusion)
Autographed Items (bats, baseballs)
Merchandise/Promo Items
Blue Rocks Baseball Camp Scholarships
Used Baseballs/Gloves/Equipment

Advertising Donations – $8,500

During home games, the Blue Rocks allowed select non-profits to promote themselves or upcoming events. This promotion was executed through the use of the RocksVision video board, the public address system, and by providing concourse tables.

Speaking Appearances

The Blue Rocks Front Office donated over 50 hours of their time to speak at community events. These events included speaking to children at local elementary schools, high schools, and colleges about careers in sports, and speaking to local organizations about the Blue Rocks.

Player Appearances

Wilmington Blue Rocks Players made many appearances over the 2010 season. Some of these appearances included visiting the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (at least once a month), a youth detention center, local schools, United Cerebral Palsy’s summer camp, as well as other local summer camps.

Mascot Appearances – $7,500

Rocky Bluewinkle visited 196 community events this year. (Spanned over 240 hours; Value of free or discounted appearances – $7,500).

In-Stadium Fundraising at Frawley Stadium – $23,700

The Blue Rocks opened up Frawley Stadium to select charitable organizations during home games, and enabled them to raise money for their respective causes. Money was raised by selling t-shirts, raffle tickets, and by collecting donations. There have also been a number of check presentations before Blue Rocks games during the 2010 season.

K’s for Kids: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware donated money every time a Blue Rocks pitcher recorded a strikeout at home. At the end of the season, Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. was presented with a $5,000 check.
Stolen Base Learning Initiative: SBLI Life Insurance donated money for each Blue Rocks stolen base during a home game. At the end of the season, BooksFirst! was presented with a $5,000 check.
Stolen Bases for Happy Faces: New Castle County Chamber of Commerce donated $5,000 to the Bear Babe Ruth Baseball League Miracle League Field project.
B+ Score for the Cure: AstraZeneca donated money for each Blue Rocks run scored at home. At the end of the season, the B+ Foundation was presented with a $5,000 check.

Miscellaneous

Make-A-Wish Night: On Aug. 31, the Blue Rocks hosted Make-A-Wish Night. Wish Kids were treated like stars. They were able to participate in some unique activities before and during the game, and they received lots of autographs and free stuff.
Challenger Little League: The Blue Rocks continued the tradition of working with the Challenger Little League to host its season’s Opening Ceremonies. Each player was introduced individually, and all teams get to play on Judy Johnson Field.
Stadium Tours: The Blue Rocks offer stadium tours for free. Tours are usually 30 minutes long. In 2010, the Blue Rocks hosted 60 tours, many to community organizations with little to no funding.
Toy Drive: The Blue Rocks were once again, able to contribute toys to the Mary Campbell Center. Rocky Claus surprised guests at the Mary Campbell Center’s youth and children holiday party with a sack full of donated toys.

Tackling Childhood Obesity

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are committed to tackling the epidemic of childhood obesity. To do so, the Blue Rocks have partnered with local programs like Nemours Health and Prevention Services, Titus Sports Academy (CHAMPIONS program), and Girls on the Run. Through these partnerships the Blue Rocks have been able to reward kids who participate in health/fitness-related extracurricular activities.

One of the many visits by Blue Rocks players and team mascot Rocky Bluewinkle to A.I. duPont Hospital included (left-to-right): Rocky, Ivor Hodgson, Buddy Baumann, Barry Bowden, Adrian Ortiz. (Photo by Dave Arthur)

Charlie T. RiverDog Aids as Fallen Trooper Memorial Run Raises More Than $30,000

Loveable Mascot Lends A Paw for Worthy Fundraising Effort

Charlie T. RiverDog, the loveable mascot of the Charleston RiverDogs, participated in a 24-hour running and walking fundraiser for a memorial wall to honor 49 South Carolina Highway patrolmen killed in the line of duty that has raised more money than expected.

The Fallen Troopers Memorial Run, a 24-hour, 100-mile run/walk at Charleston Southern University held Oct. 5-6, raised more than $30,000, according to Lance Cpl. Bob Beres, the trooper who spearheaded the effort.

The initial goal was $20,000.

“As a community-minded organization, the Charleston RiverDogs – and Charlie T. RiverDog, in particular – are eager to assist whenever possible,” said General Manager Dave Echols.  “Our mantra of ‘Be Your Own Fan’ works both ways as we listen to our fans and respond to their needs.  It was our pleasure to have Charlie T. RiverDog participate in this worthy fundraiser.”

“I think I can safely speak on behalf of the troopers and families of fallen troopers who participated by saying that this was a touching and meaningful event for all involved,” Beres said.  “I learned a long time ago that if you want to go fast, you go alone, and if you want to go far, you go together.  Well, we did this together and shattered our original goal that we needed to build this wall.”

The addition money will go toward maintenance and upkeep, possible lighting and landscaping, Beres said.

A granite memorial wall bearing the troopers’ names will be erected at the S.C. Highway Patrol’s headquarters in Blythewood.

At least three of the names on the wall will be of local patrolmen: Cpl. Richard Varn Woods, Trooper First Class Bruce Smalls and Lance Cpl. Mark Coates.  All three were killed in the line of duty by drivers of vehicles they had pulled over.

Kernels Complete 12th Year of Summer Reading Program

Over 2,000 girls and boys were recognized on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Sunday, August 22nd for reading 1000 minutes this past spring and summer in the 12th Annual Kernels Summer Reading Program, presented by Toyota Financial Services and supported by The Gazette, Rockwell Collins, and Copyworks. Cedar Rapids Kernels players and Kernels Mascot, Mr. Shucks, greeted the 1000 Minute Readers in right-center field to sign autographs and pose for pictures with them for 25 minutes prior to the game. The girls and boys and their families were then cheered by the crowd as they paraded around the Perfect Game Field.

Kernels players and Kernels Mascot Mr. Shucks visited a record 54 elementary schools throughout the eastern Iowa Corridor this past spring and summer to encourage over 25,000 students to stimulate their imaginations, discover new worlds, and make new friends through reading. Children were rewarded each 250 minutes that they read culminating with the Reader Recognition Day at the ballpark. After reading 250 minutes, the children reached 1st base and were rewarded with a free ticket to a future Kernels game and their name listed in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. After completing the next 250 minutes and arriving at second base, the kids received a free kid’s meal to Fazoli’s. The third leg, which takes the readers to third base and a total of 750 minutes of reading, rewards the readers with a Kernels equipment basket. Finally, after reaching home plate and 1,000 minutes read, children received a Kernels jersey and the opportunity to meet the players.

The Kernels congratulate all of the children who participated in the 12th Annual Kernels Summer Reading Program and thank 12th Year Presenting Sponsor Toyota Financial Services and contributing sponsors The Gazette, Rockwell Collins, and Copyworks for providing awesome rewards to the kids for their fantastic achievements.

Cedar Rapids Kernels players sign autographs on the field during Reader Recognition Day on Sunday, August 22.
Kernels players Michael Wing and Fabio Martinez participate in one of the Kernels 54 reading programs throughout the Cedar Rapids area this spring and summer

T-Yanks Team Up with Metropolitan Ministries

Saks Salon Gives At Risk Children a Back to School Treat

Have you ever lived with constant fear of not knowing where you were going to sleep at night, or where your next meal was going to come from? This fear is a reality for thousands of children within the Tampa Bay area every day.

Metropolitan Ministries, along with the Tampa Yankees, and Saks Fifth Avenue not only put a smile on 35 childrens’ faces today, but gave them all back to school makeovers with a day at the Saks Salon and Spa. The makeovers included haircuts for every child, along with manicures for all the girls. What a treat!

” This is a great experience for the kids to come out and get pampered for the day. They get to feel like a regular kid, prepping, and getting ready to go back to school.” States AnaMaria Mendez Community Relations Coordinator of Metropolitan Ministries.

Saks has hosted this event for the past 13 years. This is the third year that they have actually brought the children into the store instead of doing the event onsite at Metropolitan Ministries. This event put off the reality they are living with for a few hours so they can have a great time just being a kid!

The Tampa Yankees mascot, “Blue”, made an appearance for the big day, and passed out backpacks filled with TY hats, folders, and kidz packs. The kids absolutely loved all of their goodies, and the thrill of taking pictures with “Blue.”

Metropolitan Ministries has been serving the Tampa Bay community for 38 years. There are over 20,000 homeless in the area, many of them being children. Metropolitan Ministries is helping as many as 150 families a day, providing them opportunities to get back on their feet. Last year there were over 200 children that resided with their families at Metropolitan Ministries.

Metropolitan Ministries truly are making a difference within our community and changing many children’s lives one day at a time.

“To care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community through services that alleviate suffering , promote dignity, and instill self sufficiency… as an expression of the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ.”– Mission Statement of Metropolitan Ministries

Link to original article by Kristin McComas
Tampa Yankees mascot, “Blue”, passed out backpacks filled with TY hats, folders, and kidz packs.

Students “Go Nuts for Reading!”

In the Flying Squirrels Inaugural Season, we also launched our inaugural reading program, “Go Nuts for Reading!”. Elementary school students throughout the Greater Richmond Area participated by reading eight books over two months to earn a ticket to a Flying Squirrels game this past spring. While at the game, students were recognized by participating in a pre-game parade around the warning track led by Nutzy!

To encourage the children to read, Nutzy and his friends went out to the schools and put on assemblies talking to the students about the benefits of reading, our reading program and Nutzy even acted out “Casey at the Bat”! The classroom that read the most books total from each school district was rewarded with a pizza party and visited by a Flying Squirrels player and Nutzy!

In our first year, over 32,100 students participated within nine school districts!

Nutzy and kids after on-field parade to celebrate reading program
Nutzy at a reading assembly acting out “Casey at the Bat.”

RiverDogs Team Up with Charleston Miracle League

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mascot Musical Teaches Students

The Indianapolis Indians are proud to announce that their mascot Rowdie, along with a team of actors from the Actors Theatre of Indiana, is currently participating in the second season of the educational program “Rowdie: Home Run for Health”.

The play is designed to entertain and educate elementary school students on the “bases” of scoring a healthy home run in the game of life. The play’s script pays special attention to three key areas of a healthy lifestyle: nutrition, exercise and personal hygiene.

Indianapolis Indians Community Relations Manager Ryan Bowman expressed that the play acts as an add-on for the information students are already learning.

“Rowdie: Home Run for Health was started to reinforce the healthy lifestyle lessons taught in our local elementary schools. We are extremely excited to work with the Actors Theatre of Indiana in the development of such a fantastic learning mechanism for young students.”

This program evolved due to the need for improved awareness of childhood obesity. After speaking with local elementary school officials and parents, the staff behind the play learned that many school districts rated child obesity as their biggest challenge to overcome in their schools.

The 25-minute play plans to journey to more than 30 Indianapolis-area schools, with the final performance to be held on Thursday, April 1. Aside from a free viewing of the show, each student also receives a multi-page Rowdie Fun & Fitness Activity Book filled with great activities and games promoting the play’s message of a healthy lifestyle.

The show itself includes a hand-created Victory Field backdrop accompanied with its very own flip down food pyramid. The play also features many baseball themed song and dance routines such as “Food for Thought” and “Let’s Get Some Exercise”.

Louie’s Holiday Hope Project Helps 35 Kids

The Bowie Baysox and several community partners were able to help 11 families, including 35 kids, through Louie’s Holiday Hope Project this year. The team worked with Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, Bowie Youth & Family Services, Lloyd And Associates Real Estate Group and the Bowie Police Department to help more than twice as many families as last year.

Toni Savia from Youth & Family Services noted the importance of the project. “It is absolutely vital. Things are hard for an awful lot of people,” Savia said. “It is so wonderful that you all are available to do so because help is slim this year. We thank you all very much, these families are very much in need.”

Nine of the families helped through the project were from Bowie and the other families were from Pasadena, Md., and Manchester, Md. The Baysox and their lovable mascot Louie donated food and toys to the families.

Yvette Harmon, the mother of one of the families helped through the program was thrilled to see Louie with gifts. “Thank you so much, you don’t know how much we needed this,” Harmon said. “Desperate times, desperate situations.”

This holiday season was the third time the Baysox facilitated the program. Last year, the Baysox and their partners were able to help five families with food, toys and winter coats. The team intends to bring the project back in 2010 and looks forward to working with their community partners.

Prince George’s County Fire Chief Eugene A. Jones looks forward to helping with the project next year. “It provides a great deal of joy and satisfaction to our volunteer and career membership of the Fire/EMS Department to assist those in need,” Jones said. “We are proud to partner with Louie and the Bowie Baysox in this community based relief effort. We look forward to helping again next year.”

Louie loves helping his friends through Louie’s Holiday Hope Project.
Louie and members of the Baysox took a picture with their friends from Bowie Youth & Family Services.

ROCKY DELIVERS HOLIDAY CHEER

Mascot Visits Over 100 Hospital Patients, Helps Deliver Gifts

The Blue Rocks’ own Rocky Bluewinkle joined forces with the Delaware State Police on Thursday for a visit to Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children to deliver gifts and holiday cheer. As part of the annual visit for the Delaware State Police, donations included gingerbread houses, stuffed animals, baseballs and more. The all-day delivery saw Rocky & Co. visit more than 100 patients.

Rocky did not make his journey solo. Everyone’s favorite furry pal had help from Delaware state troopers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, a storm trooper, the Chick-fil-A Cow and Miss Delaware 2009 herself, Heather Lehman. The super squad posed for hundreds of pictures with patients and their families while dropping off goodies to lift their spirits.

While the dream team patrolled Alfred I. DuPont, other Delaware state police troopers also visited hospitals in Kent and Sussex counties. The Blue Rocks made special stops to Alfred I. DuPont monthly during the season with players and Rocky Bluewinkle in tow.

Link to original article by John Sadak

Rocky’s “dream team” spread holiday cheer to over 100 patients at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington. (Dave Arthur)

BANDITS GIVE BACK IN A BIG WAY THIS YEAR

For the Quad Cities River Bandits, the baseball season starts in April and winds down in September. The season of giving, however, lasts all year long.

As 2010 looms just a calendar-flip away, the River Bandits are proud to reflect on a year in which the team was directly responsible for putting $145,470 into the Quad Cities community in 2009. From donated goods and tickets to fundraising efforts and charitable partnerships, the team was able to help a variety of groups and causes throughout the year. The River Bandits also created the Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will give away a scholarship covering the entire first year’s tuition at the University of Iowa for one lucky resident of the Quad City Area, and were heavily involved in community activities, donating hundreds of hours of labor into the Quad Cities in addition to having a significant monetary impact.

“We strive to be an integral part of the Quad Cities, and part of that means giving back to our friends, fans and neighbors,” said owner Dave Heller. “The River Bandits want to do our part to enhance the quality of life in the Quad Cities and make it an even better place to live, work and raise a family. This community has been so supportive of us; we want to be generous in our support of it. That means donating our money, donating our time, donating items to help others raise money, raising money ourselves for area charities, and partnering with great companies like Modern Woodmen of America and Genesis Health System to make a real difference in the lives of Quad Cities families.”

The River Bandits proactive philosophy of investing in the Quad Cities is what led to the six-figure impact in the community. The River Bandits Book Buddies program included nearly 60 schools and 14,000 students in its eighth year, encouraging youth reading and donating $56,825 worth of tickets to area youngsters. Merchandise, tickets and other items contributed to a total value of $38,917 that was handed out in response to widespread donation requests. Another $37,590 was paid out to various non-profit and community groups that worked in the ballpark to raise funds or participated in the FUNdraising ticket-selling program, while $7,070 was raised through in-game contests and fan-generated donations.

A pair of jersey auctions over the course of the 2009 season raised $2,346 for the Vera French Foundation and another $1,445 for Genesis Health System’s Flu Free Quad Cities program. The frequent post-game Tennis Ball Toss brought in $5,068 that was split among 16 different charities over the course of the season.

Monetary donations and fundraising were just the tip of the iceberg. In June, the River Bandits announced the formation of the Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship that serves the dual purpose of honoring a former employee and paying for a full year of tuition to an incoming freshman at the University of Iowa. Modern Woodmen Park also played host to the Challenger Little League for their tournament in early September, a truly inspirational event that has become an annual fixture.

Between Rascal the River Bandit, Bandits’ staff members and team players, more than 120 hours were spent in the community visiting schools, libraries and community centers. Members of the front office staff are heavily involved in the community, participating in programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Lunch Buddies, Junior Achievement, Pups Assisting with the Disabled, World Relief and Achieve Quad Cities. Vice President and General Manager Kirk Goodman sits on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley and Assistant General Manager Stefanie Brown is a member of the board for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The growing River Bandits Speakers Bureau is designed to provide speakers at no cost to community groups, schools, businesses and other groups throughout the Quad Cities, in part to help educate youth on potential careers in the sports industry.

“One of our goals as an organization is to be as visible as possible in our community,” said Vice President and General Manager Kirk Goodman. “Our front office staff is made up of great people that want to make a difference and have the ambition to act on that impulse. Every dollar we raise stays right here in our community, which is a promise our ownership made to the Quad Cities from the very start. We also have a full-time position dedicated to represent the River Bandits in relationships with local charitable organizations. Community involvement is something we take great pride in, and at the end of the day it is very satisfying to reflect on the positive impact the River Bandits make throughout the Quad Cities.”

Blue Rocks Donate Nearly Half a Million for Local Causes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Isotopes Players and Orbit Visit Tingley Hospital

Albuquerque Isotopes outfielder Dee Brown and relief pitcher Dwayne Pollok joined Orbit for a special visit to Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital on May 27.

During their time there, the players toured rooms throughout the hospital’s Inpatient Unit, visiting with patients as well as signing autographs.

Orbit, Dee Brown and Dwane Pollok take a photo with a young fan and his father.