M-Braves to host Walk to Defeat ALS

Trustmark Park to host awareness walk and other events September 27

MississippiBraves_2014-06-07

Mississippi-BravesIn conjunction with The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter, the Mississippi Braves baseball team is proud to announce its commitment as presenting sponsor of the 2014 Jackson Walk to Defeat ALS. Trustmark Park will host the annual event Saturday, September 27.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, progressively paralyzes its victims, attacking nerve cells and pathways in the brain or spinal cord. ALS has no known cause or cure, but the community is rallying together to help change that. The ALS Association is a perfect fit for the Mississippi Braves. M-Braves General Manager Steve DeSalvo has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Walk to Defeat ALS. Trustmark Park will also host other events over the weekend to raise more money and awareness for ALS.

Walk-to-Defeat-ALS“Minor League Baseball is a major supporter of The ALS Association because of baseball’s connection to Lou Gehrig,” DeSalvo said. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech. We’ve gotten behind the efforts of the Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter and plan to put on a lot of various events at Trustmark Park so we can help them not only find a cure but also a treatment for this fatal disease.”

Kelly Viator, Executive Director of The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter, is excited to have the Braves on board. “We’re very grateful for the Mississippi Braves’ support of our signature event, the Walk to Defeat ALS,” Viator stated.

“This event builds awareness of ALS, raises funds to support patient services and research for treatment and a cure, and brings the community together for an important cause,” she said. “As the presenting sponsor and host for the walk, the Braves will have a significant impact on families living with ALS in the Jackson area. We’re looking forward to a successful partnership.”

In addition to hosting the Walk to Defeat ALS, the Braves will host A Night with The ALS Association on Thursday, July 10 in the Farm Bureau Grill at Trustmark Park. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and learn more about the work that The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter is doing in the Jackson area and how community business leaders can become involved as corporate supporters.

I was fortunate enough to accompany a group of pALS (persons living with ALS), caregivers, Chapter staff and friends on a trip to Washington D.C. in May to tell their story to the Mississippi legislature,” DeSalvo explained. “This has had a huge impact on me, and I want to ask the Jackson-Metro Area to help ‘Strike out ALS’.

For more information or to attend A Night with The ALS Association, contact Chelsea Moreau at 225-343-9880, ext. 6 or chelsea.moreau@alsalams.org.

Persons with ALS (pALS) will gather with their families and friends at The Walk to Defeat ALS, hoping their steps will make a difference for ALS patients living in Jackson. Many who walk have a loved one who is still fighting the deadly disease. Others walk in memory of a loved one. Some walk out of a simple concern for those who are suffering with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

With a life expectancy of only two to five years, patients have an urgent need, and the community is stepping in to fill it by walking for those who can’t. The Walk to Defeat ALS is The ALS Association’s signature event in which all funds directly support cutting-edge research, programs and patient care.

Last year’s events in Louisiana and Mississippi raised $535,000. The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter holds six walks throughout the two states annually. The chapter aims to raise $600,000 this year to continue ALS research and to extend local patient services programs. The Mississippi Braves baseball team is the first presenting level sponsor in the history of the Jackson walk.

All interested walkers should call 800-891-3746, or register online at http://web.alsa.org/Jackson2014.

About The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter

The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter was founded in April 2005 to serve the needs of those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and their caregivers. The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter works with The ALS Association’s National Office to accomplish a shared mission. Our chapter focuses primarily on helping local patients and families living with ALS while the National Office focuses primarily on research and national advocacy. The Chapter supports the National Office through revenue sharing and research contributions. The National Office supports the Chapters by providing up-to-date information and materials. For more information about The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter, go to www.ALSALAMS.org.
About the Mississippi Braves

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

M-Braves Visit Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital

The Mississippi Braves visited to the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital on June 10th.  The team arrived to offer support and bring hope and happiness to children struck by injury and illness.

The Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital has treated over 150,000 children from over 82 counties in Mississippi last year. The hospital strives in treating every youngster who is in need and has never turned anyone way. The institution strives to be the best with its cutting edge equipment and state-of-the-art facilities, however, more is always needed.

During the M-Braves visit, players from all over the world visited with the kids,  signed autographs, and provided cheer to all those in need.

If you would like to donate to the Blair E. Batson Hospital, please visit childrenshospital.umc.edu/donate.html or to mail a contribution, please make it payable to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children and send to the address below:

The Division of Public Affairs
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216

Willie Cabrera and Jordan Kreke playing Elefun with the children at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital. (Photo courtesy of M-Braves)

Mississippi Braves and Bass Pro Shops Flood Relief Efforts

The Mississippi Braves along with Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, and Uncle Bucks Grills have joined forces to aid the victims of the Mississippi River Floods.

On Monday, May 30, 2011, The Braves and Bass Pro Shops presented a $5,000 check to The Salvation Army to help jump start the relief effort. Furthermore, prominent members of the community such as Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner, Vice President of Business Development for MiLB Tina Gust, and Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers came to show their support and encouragement during this tragic time. The Salvation Army’s Jackson, MS Area Coordinator/Corps Officer Captain Ken Chapman, U.S. Congressman Gregg Harper, Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, MS State Representative Ray Rogers, and MS State Senator Dean Kirby also attended the pre-game ceremony.

The Braves further aided the cause by donating 100% of the revenue generated by a special silent auction during the game. The silent auction featured various items for fans to bid on, such as autographed baseballs, bats, photos, and jerseys of various Braves players.

As a further way of providing assistance, the M-Braves encouraged fans to donate items such as clothing, shoes, water, non-perishable food items, and personal hygiene items to The Salvation Army. The Braves did so by providing fans who donated items to the cause a 50 percent discount on field seat tickets. Plus, the first 500 fans that donated items to the relief effort received their choice of a free Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann or Jeff Francoeur 8 x 10 color photo.

The Braves are still encouraging fans to continue to donate items for the relief effort, and drop them off at Trustmark Park throughout the year.

Check presentation to The Salvation Army. (From left to Right: General Manager of Bass Pro Shops Patrick Renegar, Jackson, MS Area Coordinator/Corps Officer Captain Ken Chapman, and General Manager of the Mississippi Braves Steve DeSalvo
General Manager Steve DeSalvo helping load the donated items onto the Salvation Army Truck.

Mississippi Braves Partner with the Salvation Army for Southeastern Tornado Relief Efforts

The Mississippi Braves in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, Gwinnett and Rome Braves, 680 the Fan and Rock 100.5, corporate partners, and The Salvation Army have joined forces to raise money, awareness, and support for the Southeastern tornado relief efforts. The Mississippi Braves parent club began the effort Monday, May 2, by donating $100,000 to The Salvation Army.

As Atlanta’s AA team in the heart of Mississippi, the M-Braves will be a central location in the Jackson Metro Area for a drive to collect the most needed items for the victims of the devastating tornados.

“The tragic impact these tornados have had on the entire Southeast Region have greatly impacted all of our lives and the community in which we live,” said M-Braves General Manager, Steve DeSalvo. “As a member of this great community, it is important that we work together to rebuild what was lost which is why the M-Braves wish to help in any way we can.”

In response to this announcement, Ken Chapman, Jackson, MS Area Coordinator/ Corps Officer, remarked, “The Salvation Army has always regarded the Braves as wonderful corporate citizens and we are grateful for their caring hearts to serve those in need during this time of devastation.”

Currently, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Teams have been deployed and are in the process of helping the thousands of people in need. In addition, The Salvation Army is asking for various donations which will be distributed across the six states devastated by these brutal storms including Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Below is a list of the various items most needed:

· Household items (Laundry detergent, bleach, towels, bed sheets, blankets)
· Toiletries (Toothpaste, mouthwash, body soap, deodorant, lotion, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, razors, toilet paper)
· Paper kitchen products (Disposable dishes, utensils, cups, paper towels
· Baby Products (Diapers, formula, baby powder)
· Cleaning supplies (Mops, brooms, Lysol, trash bags)
· Flashlights
· First-aid kits
· Non-perishable food items (Canned/packaged food, bottled water, sports drinks)
· School supplies (paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, lunch boxes, book bags, folders, etc.)