Fox Valley High School Senior All-Star Games at Neuroscience Group Field on July 10

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The best high school seniors in the area will take part in two Fox Valley All-Star Games at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday, July 10 presented by TDS. An All-Day, General Admission pass will be available for $6. Game one starts at noon with the second game to follow the conclusion of game one by about thirty minutes.

The afternoon will open with Team Cardinal against Team Silver at noon. Game two features Team White against Team Black. Rosters of the teams are available by clicking on the team name.

The parking lot opens at 10:30am with free parking. The Neuroscience Group Field gates open at 11:00am. Concessions will available during the games.

“We’re excited to host these games and provide an opportunity for many of the top local high school talent to play the final game of their high school careers,” said Aaron Hahn, vice president of the Timber Rattlers.

Passes may be purchased in advance through this link to the Timber Rattlers website or at the Neuroscience Group Field Box Office during regular business hours 9:00am to 5:00pm today through Friday. Passes will also be available on Sunday morning before the game.

Dragons 5K at Day Air Ballpark, July 16

Dayton, Ohio– The annual Dragons 5K presented by Orthopedic Associates is taking place Saturday, July 16, at 8AM at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The event began in 2011 and has become a local tradition as one of the largest races in the Miami Valley region, featuring over 2,000 people each year.

The Dragons 5K will continue offering a virtual option for those that prefer that method. Participants that sign up for the virtual option can complete the race on their own time then input their time online by July 16.

All race participants (including virtual) will receive four (4) tickets to a Dragons game, Dragons 5K shirt, Dragons hat, and finisher’s medal. The registration fee is $30 for ages 18 and up and $20 for ages 17 and under. The registration fee will increase to $35 after July 8, so be quick to register before this price increase. For the virtual race option, there is an additional charge of $10 for swag bag shipping or they can pick-up the week following the 5K at the Dragons Box Office.

Fans can still sign up online at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Dayton/Dragons5KOH or by visiting the Dragons Box Office at Day Air Ballpark between the hours of 10AM and 5PM. You can also sign up on the day of the race starting at 7AM.

Early race bag and bib pickup for participants will take place on Friday, July 15 from 8AM to 6PM at Day Air Ballpark located in front of the Dragons Box Office. Anyone not able to make early race bag pickup can pick up their bag and race bib before the race beginning at 7AM on Saturday, July 16.

The race will begin at 8AM and participants may choose to run or walk the course. Baby strollers are also permitted. The course will move through downtown Dayton and end back at the ballpark. Following the race, fruit and water will be distributed to participants.

Once race results are finalized, winners will be posted on the Dragons 5K race page and will be contacted via email with information on how to claim their prizes. The top three male and female overall finishers will receive a specially engraved baseball bat and be honored during a special inning break at a Dragons game. Awards will also be given out to the top 3 overall males and females in each age group and top 3 finishing groups. Top groups will receive great group prizes and the grand prize is a luxury suite to a Dragons game in 2023!

For any Dragons 5K related questions, please visit the Dragons 5K race page or contact Jake Arthur, [email protected].

The 2022 Dragons 5K is being presented by Orthopedic Associates. As the regional leader in comprehensive orthopedic care, Orthopedic Associate’s passion is helping Dayton’s families get back to doing what they love. Orthopedic Associates is proud to be the trusted orthopedic provider serving your Dayton Dragons for more than a decade. Learn more at www.BonesFixed.com_._

Ohio’s 529 CollegeAdvantage Scholarship Giveaway

Dayton, Ohio – Ohio’s 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage will present educators and students with a $529 scholarship during the Dragons game against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday, July 7.

These recipients participated in the Dragons MVP Program this year and had entered themselves in for a chance to win a CollegeAdvantage 529 College Savings Award. Ohio’s 529 CollegeAdvantage is a proud partner of the Dragons MVP Program.

The Dragons MVP Program, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success in the classroom. The use and distribution of the awards we’re offering are entirely up to each teacher. Each teacher is the sole judge and jury in how to use the Dayton Dragons MVP ‘tool’ in their classroom. The MVP Program has run for 17 years and reaches to over 1,000 classrooms and additionally reaches over 30,000 students!

Fourth and fifth grade teachers in a five-county area (Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Warren counties) receive award kits to recognize five students in their classroom. MVP Students receive a certificate awarding them as a Dragons MVP, a special MVP hat, 4 tickets to a Dragons game, and exclusive access to the Dragons MVP Zone.

To learn more about starting a College Savings Plan, visit collegeadvantage.com

To learn more about the Dragons MVP Program, please visit daytondragons.com/mvp

More Information:_ The Dayton Dragons are the affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark_ in the heart of the Water Street District. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.

Dragons to Recognize “Hometown Heroes” Honorees During Game on July 4

DRAGONS TO RECOGNIZE “HOMETOWN HEROES” HONOREES DURING GAME ON JULY 4

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize the 1487th Transportation Company of the U.S. Army as “Hometown Heroes” during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Monday, July 4 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 7:05p.m.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizing outstanding military organizations, groups, and individuals.

Since its inception in 1873, the 1487th transportation company has participated in World War I, World War II, the Gulf War, and the Global War of Terror. Coming out of the Gulf War, the unit was designated as the “Iron Camels” due to their efforts in transporting vital supplies of food and water across Kuwait.

In 2020, the unit was called to transport critical supplies in Southwest Asia in support of Operations Spartan Shield (OSS) and Inherent Resolve (OIR.) From March to December of 2020, the Iron Camels successfully completed transportation missions including driving over 500,000 individual miles and supporting 115 military units. They conducted 90 missions to the Khabari Crossing in Kuwait, trans-loading multi-class supplies in support of OIR operations. These missions included the transport of Counter-Terrorism Equipment Fund Class VII for divestment operations and the retrograde of multi-class supplies.

In recognition of their efforts, they were awarded the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for their exceptional conduct in performance of outstanding achievement and service. The award, which dates back to 1944, is only granted to units who exemplify these efforts for six continuous months or more, during military operations against an armed enemy.

The emblem is a scarlet ribbon with a gold, laurel leaf frame and is to be worn by service members on the right breast of their service coat.

The Dayton Dragons Hometown Heroes program is made possible by the generous support of the Dayton Development Coalition, Reynolds & Reynolds, and the Dayton Dragons. For more information, please visit daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Charity Golf Outing to be Held on September 22

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Get your group together now! The annual Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Golf Outing is set for Thursday, September 22 at Shamrock Heights Golf Course in New London. The event will raise money for Timber Rattlers Give Back to benefit local charitable organizations.

Timber Rattlers Give Back is the official a 501(c)-3 organization which was credited to benefit the team’s charitable causes.

A foursome may register to golf for $450. Individuals may register for $200.

Registration on September 22 starts at 8:00am followed by a shotgun start at 9:00am. Lunch will be served at the turn and is included with registration. Raffle drawings and contests will be held throughout the day of the event.

If you wish to participate in the 2022 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Golf Outing, please contact Hilary Bauer at (920) 733-4152 or[email protected] by Friday, August 26. Registration forms are also available at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium and online at timberrattlers.com.

Persons unable to golf, but looking for a way to contribute may consider a hole sponsorship package at $250 or an in-kind donation toward raffle/hole prizes by downloading this form at the team’s website or contacting Ryan Cunniff at [email protected] or (920) 733-4152.

CareSource, Dragons Team Up to Honor Local Veteran

CareSource Veteran Salute Honors William Zimmerman on June 26

DAYTON, Ohio –CareSource and the Dayton Dragons will host United States Navy veteran William Zimmerman during the CareSource Veteran Salute Program on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at 1:05PM when the Dayton Dragons take on the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Sunday will be the third of five special CareSource Veteran Salute dates of the 2022 season.

The CareSource Veteran Salute Program provides veterans in the Dayton region with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate their service to their country. Each honoree has their story shared in front of the crowd at Day Air Ballpark, followed by a standing ovation in appreciation of the veteran’s hard work and dedication both in military and civilian accomplishments.

William Zimmerman’s Story

William Zimmerman, born and raised in Tipp City, graduated from Tippecanoe High School in 1964. He wanted to serve his country and enlisted in the Navy in December of 1965. William served 21 years in the military; four years active duty and 17 years in the reserves.

William began his career with the Navy in Pensacola, Florida. He was then moved to Long Beach, California for his second tour of duty. William recorded aviation flight information and repairs on assigned aircraft. His Vietnam service was aboard the USS Enterprise which was the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat by utilizing her aircraft against the Viet Cong at the height of the Vietnam War. In July of 1969, William returned to the United States – very happy to see the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as his ship drew nearer.

William continued to serve in the Naval Reserves until he retired in February of 1990. While in the reserves, he decided to attend college and graduated in 1981 from Edison State Community College with a degree in Business Management. He played basketball while in college and even started his own income tax business that continued for 40 years.

William was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star and many other service and campaign medals. He exemplifies a veteran who loves his community and continues to give back through his local church and volunteering for local causes. William has two children, three grandchildren, and resides in New Carlisle with his wife, Janel. He enjoys spending time with his family, bowling, watching the Reds, and attending Dragons games. He recently started reading more routinely and has read over 200 books in the last three years.

To nominate a veteran in your life for the Veteran Salute Program, please visit daytondragons.com/veteransalute today.

CareSource’s Veteran Salute program highlights five veterans’ stories during the course of each season. Veterans who are chosen are honored at a Dragons game with an in-game ceremony and provided with VIP treatment during their special night. The program is an extension of CareSource’s continued commitment to serving special populations and its new efforts to support veterans through innovative health and life services programs. For more information about the Veteran Salute program, visit www.daytondragons.com/veteransalute.

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Pink Ribbon Girls Survivor Celebration Night at the Ballpark

Dayton, Ohio – The Pink Ribbon Girls (PRG) and the Dayton Dragons will host a Survivor Celebration on Tuesday, June 21, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Pink Ribbon Girls provide transportation to and from treatment, housecleaning kits, and peer support and education to breast and gynecological cancer patients at their greatest time of need. The organization has the mission of making sure “No one travels this road alone” and serves anyone regardless of their age, stage, or socio-economic status.

The Pink Ribbon Girls will be in attendance at the game to promote awareness and to celebrate the breast cancer and gynecological cancer survivors they have helped. Proceeds from the Dragons 50/50 for the entire week (June 21 to June 26) will go towards the services and programs of the Pink Ribbon Girls.

If you want to learn more about how you can help support The Pink Ribbon Girls, check out their website here at: pinkribbongirls.org

Joey Chiulli, 6-year-old cancer survivor, will celebrate his Anthem Home Run for Life at a Dragons Game

 

 

Dayton, Ohio—Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host 6-year-old Joey Chiulli during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, June 22, when the Dayton Dragons take on the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Day Air Ballpark during a Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Joey’s Story

In November of 2018, Joe Chiulli was experiencing extreme pain in his legs along with several respiratory infections. As he battled through the difficulties of breathing, the pain in his legs forced him to stop walking. His parents had exhausted all medical options to find a remedy to their son’s pain, but little help was found.

For six months, Joe continued to suffer intense pain until a nurse noticed severe bloating in his abdomen. The medical staff sent Joey into testing, and a biopsy confirmed Joey had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer found in the bone marrow of children. He underwent nine blood transfusions, a lumbar puncture, and a bone marrow transplant.

The ‘induction’ phase of the cancer treatment journey was extremely tough on Joe. The medications and steroids created negative reactions physically, mentally, and emotionally. This four-year-old faced extreme anxiety, anger, and depression. His reaction led doctors to believe he was chemo resistant – less than 10% of cancer patients fall into this category. As a result, his medical team included Joey in a new medical study where doctors targeted cancer genetically.

As April 2019 rolled around, Joey’s thigh still hurt more than the rest of his body. A CT scan showed an abscess on this thigh; the infection was growing into his femur. Doctors immediately drained his bone three times to remove the disease. Finally, the road to recovery could begin, and Joey relearned how to walk.

Joey is in ‘long term maintenance’ having had his final spinal on June 17, 2022. Joey will be heading into first grade at Liberty Elementary and is wise beyond his years. He says, “if we all stay strong, everything will be ok.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Joe’s life, including his family, Dr. Dolé, and his entire medical team.

To learn more about Anthem Home Run for Life, please visit www.daytondragons.com/hrfl.

More Information:_ The Dayton Dragons are the affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark_ in the heart of the Water Street District. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.

 

Dragons to Recognize “Hometown Heroes” Honorees During Game on June 12

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize Army recruits of the Miami Valley as “Hometown Heroes” during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Sunday, June 12 against the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 1:05 p.m.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizing outstanding military organizations, groups, and individuals.

Everyone who joins the military has one thing in common: they have sworn in by repeating either the military Oath of Enlistment or Oath of Office. During the game on Sunday, future soldiers of the United States Army will be taking a solemn oath of enlistment, marking the beginning of selfless service to their nation.

The Dayton Dragons Hometown Heroes program is made possible by the generous support of the Dayton Development Coalition, Reynolds & Reynolds, and the Dayton Dragons. For more information, please visit daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

BLOOD DRIVE: June 14 with American Red Cross

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (June 8, 2022)— Many people want to give back to the community but may not have a lot of time to volunteer. In only about an hour, volunteer blood donors can help save lives and feel instant gratification.

The community is invited to give back and help save lives by donating blood at the Step Up to the Plate Blood Drive on Tuesday, June 14from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parkview Field.

Participating donors will receive a Red Cross t-shirt and a voucher for a free admission ticket to any 2022 home game, excluding July 4th.

“Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteers,” said Zak Bernath, biomed account manager with the American Red Cross – Indiana Region. “By donating blood, individuals can make a difference in the lives of patients in their community and throughout the nation.”

“Our TinCaps fans love this community and always step up to help others in need,” said Mike Nutter, president of the Fort Wayne TinCaps. “We are glad to roll up our sleeves for this amazing cause.”

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPassor use the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

CareSource, Dragons Team Up to Honor Local Veteran

DAYTON, Ohio –CareSource and the Dayton Dragons will host United States Marine veteran Robert De Roziere during the CareSource Veteran Salute Program on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at 1: 05PM when the Dayton Dragons take on the South Bend Cubs at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Sunday will be the second of five special CareSource Veteran Salute dates of the 2022 season.

The CareSource Veteran Salute Program provides veterans in the Dayton region with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate their service to their country. Each honoree has their story shared in front of the crowd at Day Air Ballpark, followed by a standing ovation in appreciation of the veteran’s hard work and dedication both in military and civilian accomplishments.

Robert De Roziere’s Story

Robert De Roziere, born and raised in Kettering, graduated from Miami University with a degree in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs in December of 1987. He always wanted to serve his country. He was commissioned as an officer (2nd Lieutenant) in the Marine Corps in 1987. Robert served 31 years in the military; 11 years active duty and 20 years in the reserves.

Robert began his career with the Marines in 1988 at Camp Pendleton in California. He served as Company Radio Officer/Operations Officer and deployed with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Robert was quickly promoted to First Lieutenant. After his deployment, his second tour of duty lead him and his family to Philadelphia where he assisted in recruiting. He was then promoted to Captain in 1992.

In 1994, Robert’s third tour of duty brought him to Quantico where he was assigned to Marine Corps Systems Command and earned his master’s degree in Telecommunications in 1998. He left active duty and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve in Cincinnati. In 2003, Robert was deployed and served in Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom.

Robert was awarded the Legion of Merit which is presented by the President of the United States and many other services and campaign medals. He exemplifies a veteran who loves his community by sharing his service journey and appreciating the three decades of leadership, structure, and growth he gained. Robert has four sons, 13 grandchildren, and resides in Middletown with his wife. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events, and staying busy at his home.

To nominate a veteran in your life for the Veteran Salute Program, please visit daytondragons.com/veteransalute today.

CareSource’s Veteran Salute program highlights five veterans’ stories during the course of each season. Veterans who are chosen are honored at a Dragons game with an in-game ceremony and provided with VIP treatment during their special night. The program is an extension of CareSource’s continued commitment to serving special populations and its new efforts to support veterans through innovative health and life services programs. For more information about the Veteran Salute program, visit www.daytondragons.com/veteransalute.

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Brett Favre Returns to the Field for Donald Driver Charity Softball Game

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Brett Favre is confirmed! The Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion will join Donald Driver, James Jones, AJ Dillon, Aaron Jones, and many more for the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game presented by Network Health at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday, June 12, 2022. The event will raise money for the Donald Driver Foundation and additional local and player charities. Game time is 1:00pm.

Favre was the host of the annual charity softball game from 1999 through 2007 before Driver took over as the host for the 2008 game.

“I am excited that my brother from another mother, Brett Favre, is returning to play in the charity softball game he started 20 years ago,” said Driver. “Let’s turn out in HUGE numbers Packers fans!”

Favre joins Desmond Bishop, Jarrett Bush, Nick Collins, Robert Ferguson, Jermichael Finley, Antonio Freeman, and Ahman Green as confirmed participants in this year’s game.

Tickets are available for the game on the phone at (920) 733-4152, in person at the Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office, or through the internet at timberrattlers.com.

Tickets remaining for the game are $43 for a standard box seat, $25 for a reserved bleacher seat. and $15 for a general admission grass seat.

The mission of the Donald Driver Foundation is to display Strong Hands, Strong Minds, and Loving Hearts to serve as a hand up, not a handout. The Donald Driver Foundation has a core focus in serving underprivileged children and families by addressing health & wellness, safety, and education & career development.

Dragons to Recognize “Community All Stars” Recipient During Game on June 2

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game tonight, Thursday, June 2nd, against the South Bend Cubs at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 7:05 p.m.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters or police officers, doctors or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

More than a decade ago, a group of Dayton business leaders got together to brainstorm how to get more kids exposed to adventures and careers in aviation, aeronautics, and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related fields.

What came of those meetings was more than just a curriculum, it was an adventure for campers that has now become known as Air Camp, and it’s based right here in the Dayton region.

Air Camp provides campers from 4th grade through high school with a hands-on, educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics every summer. Each camp offers something specific for students and they’re all bolstered with resources to continue their growth in STEM education. There are even camps that teachers can be a part of that allow them to take the curriculum back to all of their students in the fall.

Air Camp students take flight ground school, chart their course and fly as a student pilot. They also explore exciting aviation sites around Dayton, and they get to go behind the scenes and meet scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson AFB.

The first Air Camp back in 2010 started with just 40 students, but since those humble beginnings, their reach has soared, connecting with over 33,000 students and 88 teachers from 33 states just last year.

Expanding Air Camp’s mission and their programming is made possible only through the generosity of local donors, and their fundraising efforts make it possible for them to make the program accessible and affordable to anyone who wishes to be a part of the camp. There is so much more on the horizon for Air Camp, and each donor is pivotal to opening greater opportunities for every camper.

For all their efforts to bring STEM education to all, Air Camp is being honored as a Dragons Community All Star. If you want to learn more about how you can help support Air Camp check out their website at aircampusa.org/.

If you know other great individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for our community, tell us about them! You can nominate an All-Star by telling us about them at daytondragons.com/communityallstar

This event is the first of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Community All-Stars is presented Flying Ace Express Carwash. Additional tributes are scheduled for July 22, August 10, and September 1 each focused on a different individual or organization who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District and are scheduled to play 42 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 1:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2022 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

Dragons to Recognize “Community All Stars” Recipient During Game on May 22

 

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize Culture Works as a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Sunday, May 22nd against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 1:05 p.m.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters or police officers, doctors or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

From its first days as the Dayton Performing Arts Fund in 1974, Culture Works has been central to the success of the arts in Dayton. While Culture Works means many things to the arts community, their two main roles are funding and marketing the wide range of arts in our area.

The success of a world class arts culture like Dayton’s does not happen without someone tending to it, and that’s where Culture Works steps in. Lisa Hanson, the President and CEO of Culture Works, and her team are much like gardeners, ensuring that the programs, projects, artists, performers, and creators in their care all have what they need to grow.

Culture Works has developed partnerships with private citizens, government entities and support from the business community to build a fundraising arm that allows Dayton artists to succeed. One of the best ways to see that success is when artists not only grow but choose to remain in Dayton for the duration of their career instead of taking their talents to another city.

For all their efforts in building up and supporting the world-class arts we enjoy here in the Dayton region, Culture Works is being honored as a Dragons Community All Star.

If you want to learn more about how you can help support Culture Works check out their website here. (https://cultureworks.org/)

If you know other great individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for our community, tell us about them! You can nominate an All-Star by telling us about them here. (https://www.milb.com/dayton/community/cas )

This event is the first of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Community All-Stars is presented Flying Ace Express Carwash. Additional tributes are scheduled for June 2, July 22, August 10, and September 1 each focused on a different individual or organization who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District and are scheduled to play 53 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 1:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available atwww.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

 

Ben Hemmelgarn, 16-year-old cancer survivor, will celebrate his Anthem Home Run for Life at a Dragons Game

Dayton, Ohio—Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host 16-year-old Ben Hemmelgarn during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 18, at 7:05 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Quad Cities River Bandits at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Day Air Ballpark during a Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Ben will also have the chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Dragons game. A couple of Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds players have special messages that will be shown in game after the Home Run for Life lap.

Ben’s Story

In December of 2018, Ben Hemmelgarn was a 7th grader experiencing extreme chest pain. Doctors prescribed him with an­tibiotics for what seemed like pneumonia. Several weeks later, he was still having a sharpness in his side, and a CT scan highlighted a lump on the right side of his chest.

A biopsy confirmed Ben had Ewing Sarcoma, a type of bone or soft tissue cancer that occurs in young children. Ben underwent six rounds of chemotherapy where he experienced a loss of taste and smell, hair loss, mouth sores, and numbness in his hands and feet.

After months of chemotherapy, an MRI scan showed that the tu­mor did shrink, but surgery was required to remove the remaining mass. The operation was successful however left Ben weak – it required doctors to also remove his fourth rib.

Through September of 2019, his chemo treatments continued to ensure the cancer would not return. The ‘End of Treatment’ scans in October of 2019 confirmed that Ben was cancer free!

Today, Ben is a sophomore at Coldwater High School. Ben plays second base for the Cavaliers Baseball team, and recently earned his driver’s license. After reflecting on his journey, he believes his perseverance was the driving force in his battle with cancer. He says “You can’t beat the person who never gives up…and I always try to be that person”

Join us Wednesday, May 18, to celebrate Ben’s Home Run for Life during the Dragons game.

To learn more about Anthem Home Run for Life, please visit www.daytondragons.com/hrfl.