PawSox to Host 33-Inning Charity Baseball Game Featuring The Pawtucket Slaterettes August 19

The Pawtucket Red Sox are inviting the Pawtucket Slaterettes, one of the nation’s only women’s baseball leagues, to play 33 innings of baseball at McCoy Stadium on Saturday, August 19. Admission is only $5, and proceeds benefit the Slaterettes and the PawSox Foundation.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS ONLINE

The special event pays tribute to the historic 33-inning game played in 1981 by the PawSox and the visiting Rochester Red Wings. The fundraiser is part of the club’s season-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of McCoy Stadium.

The marathon begins at noon and continues until all 33 innings are played.

“We are delighted to have been invited by the PawSox,” said Deb Bettencourt, Pawtucket Slaterettes Player Agent. “For our women of all ages to play hardball on this diamond where so many great players have played, and where the 33-inning game took place, is a dream-come-true.

“So many of our ballplayers were inspired by the movie, ‘A League of Their Own,’ and how it brought to light the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The opportunity to pay tribute to these women, and to the PawSox, and to our beloved city of Pawtucket, is a thrill our players and their families will remember forever.”

The game will be played by members of various age divisions within the Slaterettes organization. The innings will be spread as follows:

  • Teeball (ages 3-6) – 2 innings
  • Minors (ages 6-10) – 4 innings
  • Juniors (ages 10-13) – 6 innings
  • Seniors (ages 13-18) – 7 innings
  • Women (ages 13 and up) – 7 innings
  • Alumni (all ages) – 7 innings

“It is a pleasure to produce an event that unites the people of Pawtucket,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “We hope that women (and men) see that, here in Pawtucket, women have been playing baseball in ‘A League of Their Own’ for years. May this event inspire more young girls to realize that the doors to the wonderful world of baseball are wide open.

“Over the past two seasons, we have been blessed to welcome such players from the AAGPBL as Rhode Island’s own Wilma Briggs and California’s Maybelle “All the Way May” Blair and Shirley Burkovich. Part of this tribute is a tip of the cap to them.

“We also tip our caps to the actors, actresses, and crew who made the film, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. Megan Cavanagh, who memorably portrayed Marla Hooch, recently visited our park and inspired more young women with her stories-including the fact that she did all of her own hitting in the movie.

“Several women playing key positions in our front office have been lifelong ballplayers, and we are eager to show all who are watching that the opportunities to play baseball belong to everyone.”

All tickets are general admission, and concessions and merchandise will be on sale.

The Slaterettes comprise baseball players from age 5 to 55. The league, now in its 45th year, was created in 1973.

The PawSox Foundation, now in its 19th year, produces such programs as the PawSox Scholars, A Veterans Home Run, and fundraisers for the Tomorrow Fund. It also supports many charities in Pawtucket, in Rhode Island, and in the PawSox community.

More information is available at pawsox.com and slaterettes.com.

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

Red Sox Foundation and Pawsox Foundation Partner with Rhode Island Little League to Support all 48 Leagues in the State

The Red Sox Foundation and the PawSox Foundation, the charitable arm of the Pawtucket Red Sox, today announced a partnership to support all 48 Little Leagues throughout the Rhode Island. The relationship will include leadership and instructional skills training for coaches and administrators.

“We are proud to partner with our Triple-A affiliate, Pawtucket Red Sox, to support Rhode Island Little League and expand on the important work the Red Sox Foundation has begun with Boston’s inner city youth through Rookie/RBI programs and Little League teams in Massachusetts,” said Red Sox Foundation Board Member Mike Egan. “As a former little leaguer, I know how important playing the game as a child can be to fostering a lifelong love for the game, and we look forward to helping the league pass along the invaluable lessons about teamwork and camaraderie that baseball imparts.”

The partnership will assist the 48 leagues with production and development, and will include sponsorship of three events: the Rhode Island Little League State Tournament, which opens on Saturday, July 22; the Rhode Island Little League Volunteer of the Year Award, which will be presented in August; and a coaches’ clinic this fall.

“The support of the Red Sox Foundation, PawSox Foundation and its partners on the Rhode Island Little League program is real and tangible,” said Rhode Island Little League Board Member John Pesaturo. “The sponsorship that is available to each league provides them with funding along with opportunities for teams to come to Fenway Park and for some, a special mascot visit to their home town. Chartered Leagues from Providence to Newport are enjoying a new connection as part of Wally’s team thanks to the Red Sox Foundation!”

“As Rhode Island’s professional baseball organization, we are eager to embrace and enhance our support of the Ocean State’s Little Leagues,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “We are continually inspired by the commitment of coaches and administrators who devote so many hours to our children, and we are constantly gratified to see these children learn the lessons of life that baseball can teach.”

The tournament’s opening ceremonies will take place in Johnston, Rhode Island, hosted by Johnston Little League at Kennedy Field at 1583 Hartford Ave. The Volunteer of the Year, a coach selected based on nominations by peers and teams, will be honored at Boston’s Fenway Park on Rhode Island Day, August 1st, and again at Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium later in the month. Applications were made available by John Pesaturo, Rhode Island Little League, District Administrator, and were due July 3rd. The coaches’ clinic will take place in the fall.

The 48 Rhode Island Little Leagues, comprised of over 1,100 teams and over 16,000 children from ages 5 to 16, allow Rhode Island’s children play baseball and softball, and learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and inclusion.

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

PawSox to Refurbish Fairlawn Little League’s Deluca Field at Nathanael Greene Elementary

The PawSox and the City of Pawtucket will partner with Infielder Mike Miller and “More than a Game,” to refurbish Fairlawn Little League’s Deluca Field at Nathanael Greene Elementary next month. In addition to fixing up the baseball diamond, the club will present a free youth clinic on July 11, the day of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.

“More Than a Game” is an organization that constructs fields, donates equipment, and presents clinics in various communities. Miller has worked extensively with the organization during off-seasons in his home state of California.

Led by Miller, PawSox players and More Than a Game staff members will fix up the field on Monday, July 10, then present a free youth baseball clinic at Deluca Field on Tuesday July 11 from 11 am-1 pm. Food and refreshments will be provided to participants in the clinic.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with the Pawtucket Red Sox, an organization that places a high emphasis on service to their community,” said Marshall Murray, CEO of More Than a Game. “We hope our combined resources will empower athletes to do more in Pawtucket and the surrounding region, and we look forward to an impactful collaboration.”

“We would like to see more children participate in Pawtucket’s Fairlawn Little League,” said Joe Bradlee, the PawSox’ Director of Communications & Community Relations. “As Rhode Island’s professional baseball team, we hope we can help ensure that this field is attractive, welcoming, and safe.”

“More Than a Game has given me a platform as a professional athlete to give my time and energy to communities that are underserved,” Miller said. “To be able to work with both MTAG and the PawSox, two amazing organizations, gives me an opportunity to reach out to many kids who share my passion of baseball and develop key relationships within those communities.”

“Thank you to Mike Miller, More Than a Game, the PawSox, and the players for their donation and for volunteering their time,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “The clinic is a great opportunity for our kids to learn the great game of baseball from some of the best players in the league. We appreciate the PawSox for their commitment to the City and its youth organizations.”

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

PawSox Introduce First Four “Academic All-Stars”

The Pawtucket Red Sox tonight introduced the first four selectees to the “PawSox Academic All-Stars” program before the opener of their twin-bill at McCoy Stadium.

The program puts the spotlight on one middle school student from each of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns. The children are selected by educators based on academics, citizenship, and character.

“We welcome the opportunity to recognize young people throughout the state who are succeeding in school and contributing to their communities,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “Teachers remind us that a small gesture from the community’s baseball team can have a large impact on a child’s self-esteem, particularly in middle school. We hope their moment in the spotlight-or in the sunlight-is a source of pride for their students, their friends, and their families.”

In pre-game ceremonies, each threw a Ceremonial First Pitch, and each received an authentic baseball bat engraved with their name. Each also receives a host of gift certificates from the PawSox and their sponsors.

The first four students were from Burrillville, Coventry, Newport, and Woonsocket.

The first four students were Ever Gallo, a 12-year-old 6th grader from Burrillville Middle School, and three 14-year-old 8th graders: Allison Abbruzzese of Feinstein Middle School in Coventry; Gavin Crowley of Thompson Middle School in Newport; and Andrew Simonini from Woonsocket Middle School at Villa Nova.

“It is important that our community recognizes promising students who are making an effort to better themselves and the lives around them,” said PawSox Senior Vice President/Club Counsel Kim Miner, who oversees the PawSox Foundation. “That is why these students we have sought value scholarship, citizenship, and character.”

The club will continue to recognize “PawSox Academic All-Stars” throughout the season. Educators seeking more information can find it at pawsox.com or by calling the PawSox, 401-724-7300.

The PawSox Academic All-Stars is the club’s second major community initiative in the area of education. Last November, the club introduced its PawSox Scholars program, in which two 8th-graders, one from Pawtucket and one from neighboring Central Falls, receive a college scholarship of $10,000 from the PawSox Foundaton.

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

PawSox Wives Food Drive – Tuesday, June 20

Fans, the PawSox Wives will be at McCoy Stadium on Tuesday Night June 20th  game collecting your donations of Peanut Butter and Tuna to support the Citizens Bank Strike Out Hunger Campaign to benefit the RI Food Bank. Be sure to stop by the PawSox Wives table at the Main Entrance on June 20th and donate a jar of Peanut Butter or can of Tuna….Anyone donating 5 jars of Peanut Butter or cans of Tuna, will receive an autograph photo of a PawSox Player. That’s the PawSox Wives Food Drive on Tuesday June 20th when the PawSox meet Lehigh Valley at 7:05pm…. The PawSox and Citizens Bank thank you for your support of the RI Food Bank.

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

Bryant University’s Project Playhouse

The Bryant University Management Association and Wish Kids hosted the 2nd annual Project Playhouse event at Bryant University on Wednesday. Five seriously ill children arrived on campus to be surprised with their very own dream playhouses.

Themes for the playhouses included a surf shack, country store, Lego themed playhouse, Irish cottage, and a PawSox playhouse that will be given away by PawSox mascot, Paws.

The children who received the playhouses are from Burrillville, Warwick, Jamestown, Chepachet, and Newport.

Project Playhouse was created by Bryant University sophomore management students in September 2015, and has the mission of providing dream playhouses to seriously ill children.

PawSox Front Office members were excited support these children and team up with Bryant University on this worthy initiative.

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

PawSox Launch “Academic All-Stars Program”

The Pawtucket Red Sox today announced the creation of their “Academic All-Stars” Program, a statewide initiative to recognize middle school students throughout Rhode Island who are demonstrating academic promise and noteworthy citizenship.

The honorees will be the guests of the PawSox at various 2017 home games, with tickets for themselves, their families, and influential teachers selected by the students. The children will also receive gift certificates from the PawSox and several of their corporate partners.

“We sent letters to the superintendents of schools throughout the state, seeking their partnership,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “We know that the educators know the students best, and we would like them to each select a child for whom a pat on the back or a day in the sun might make a difference.

“We have received wise counsel from several teachers who urged us to not underestimate the value of recognition and reward for choosing the right path. Such small gestures are not small to the children or to their families.”

The PawSox will work with educators in each town to coordinate the selection process, and to choose a date for the children to be honored.

The program is a complement to the PawSox Foundation’s “PawSox Scholars” Program, launched November 4, 2016, in which two local children-one from Pawtucket and one from Central Falls–each receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Charlisa Kollie, an 8th-grader at Pawtucket’s Slater Junior High, presented the Ceremonial First Pitch on Opening Day, April 10. Ethan Hoke, an 8th-grader at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls, will be honored during the season.

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

Go Bowling with the PawSox on June 7th

The Pawtucket Red Sox are very excited to announce we will once again be hosting a BOWLING EVENT to raise money for the TOMORROW FUND…the PAWSOX STRIKE OUT CANCER event will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at EAST PROVIDENCE LANES on 80 Newport Avenue, East Providence, RI 02916.

For only $25.00 per person you receive, bowling shoes, food, and a chance to bowl with some PawSox Players!! Our live and silent auctions also provide great opportunities to win special Red Sox and PawSox memorabilia, along with other unique prizes.

The net proceeds will benefit THE TOMORROW FUND…the only local nonprofit organization that provides financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. So if you would like to bowl and have some fun, then please mail a check, made payable to the PawSox Foundation, and indicate how many people will be bowling and their names!

Please send your donation to:

Pawtucket Red Sox Baseball Club

McCoy Stadium, P.O. Box 2365

Pawtucket, RI 02861.

We look forward to seeing you and to bowling a STRIKE AGAINST CANCER!!

CLICK HERE TO PRINT SIGN-UP FORM

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

PawSox Foundation to Present “A Veterans Home Run: 5k Walk ‘N Run” on May 20

The Pawtucket Red Sox and the PawSox/Skeffington Charitable Foundation today announced exciting changes to their annual 5K Walk ‘N Run, which this year will take place on Saturday, May 20th at 9:30 am with the route both starting and finishing at McCoy Stadium. An earlier time of year (the race was held Labor Day weekend the past five years), a revamped course which will now take runners by downtown Pawtucket, and an enhanced partnership with area veterans are among the new highlights for this popular event.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The revitalized PawSox Foundation, now in its 18th year, has worked closely with both Operation Stand Down RI and 21 Heroes among other veterans organizations. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Foundation’s veterans initiatives. Operation Stand Down serves the Ocean State’s 67,800 veterans and their families while 21 Heroes was established to honor the 21 soldiers from Pawtucket who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. A 21 Heroes memorial dedication will take place the day after the 5K on Sunday, May 21 at Slater Park capping off an historic weekend for veterans causes in Pawtucket.

“We are so pleased to work with the wonderful people from Operation Stand Down and with Terry Nau of 21 Heroes to honor and give something back to the many amazing Rhode Island veterans and their families,” said PawSox Senior Vice President/Club Counsel Kim Miner, who also runs the PawSox Foundation. “In our ongoing effort to build on the PawSox legacy of celebrating our veterans, we were especially pleased to introduce a nightly ‘In Debt to a Vet’ salute during each game at McCoy Stadium last year and that tradition will continue this season.”

One of the premier road races in the area, the PawSox Foundation 5K will start from the McCoy Stadium parking lot, weave through the streets of downtown Pawtucket, and eventually finish at home plate on the McCoy playing field. This new and improved route will help showcase the beautiful riverfront and other reinvigorated areas of the Pawtucket downtown.

“Our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services give so much to us to ensure that our freedom and the American Dream endure,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “Partnering to promote causes to support our veterans is the least that we can do. Thank you to the PawSox Foundation for working with our local organizations and investing in our community. And thank you to Operation Stand Down and Heroes 21 for ensuring that our veterans are never left behind.”

The race is sponsored by National Grid, Planet Fitness, W.B. Mason, and Coast 93.3. The first 500 participants who register on pawsox.com will receive a free race t-shirt. Pre-registration is $25 per person, and teams of 10 or more will be just $20 per person. On the day of the race, registration will open at 7:30 am and the cost will be $30.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Festivities will continue after the race with food and entertainment in the PawSox Party Tent area at McCoy. All participants will also receive tickets to the PawSox game on May 23 vs. Louisville at 6:05 pm, and will be invited to take part in a pre-game on-field parade and award ceremony that evening.

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

PawSox Introduce “Paws for a Cause” Community Initiative

The PawSox today announced a 2017 community initiative to give Rhode Island charities the opportunity to raise awareness at the club’s home games.

“Paws for a Cause” invites area nonprofits to be featured on the field in pre-game ceremonies, to have their key message delivered over the stadium’s communications system, and to have their spokesperson visit the PawSox broadcast booth for an inning during the game. The club plans to welcome a charity at each of its 71 home games.

Mascots Paws and Sox will also participate, and where applicable, will wear the clothing and logos of the charity. The organizations are also invited to distribute literature and address fans’ questions at a table on the Main Concourse at McCoy Stadium.

“We enjoy discovering new ways for baseball to provide a service to our community,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “And as we encounter so many charities that seek to raise awareness, we are pleased to shine our spotlight on them at PawSox Baseball games.”

All accredited 501(c)3 organizations in the PawSox community are welcome to apply. The slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests can be submitted to the PawSox’ head of community relations, Joe Bradlee. His email is jbradlee@pawsox.com.

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

PawSox Deliver Roses and Spread Cheer to Local Seniors

For the second consecutive year, the PawSox delivered roses to local senior citizens in an effort to spread cheer surrounding Valentine’s Day. This year, the PawSox visited the North Attleboro Senior Center, St. Elizabeth Manor in Bristol, and the Darlington Assisted Living Home in Pawtucket.

“Paws made everyone’s day a little brighter,” said Rose Carreiro, Activity Director at St. Elizabeth Manor in Bristol, RI. “The residents were so thrilled with the roses, and we’re excited to see a baseball game at McCoy Stadium this spring.”

“What a joy it is to open hearts, lift spirits, and elicit smiles with something as simple as a flower from a polar bear,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “We are continually amazed and inspired by the power of baseball to enhance the lives of the members of our community.”

In a week where the PawSox mascots have made nearly fifty rose deliveries to fans in the area, the embraceable polar bears once again elicited bright smiles from some of the team’s most passionate fans.

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

PawSox Create New Pawtucket Mentoring Program with Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership

The Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership today announced a collaboration to provide mentors to Pawtucket children at nearby Agnes E. Little Elementary School. The program, announced during National Mentoring Month, features members of the PawSox front office providing their time and attention to third-graders.

In addition, the PawSox Foundation will serve as a Silver Sponsor of the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership’s signature fundraiser, “Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring,” on Thursday evening, April 27, at the Rhodes of Pawtuxet.

“At the RI Mentoring Partnership, our work is all about relationships,” said Jo-Ann Schofield, President and CEO of the Partnership. “We are excited to support the mentoring relationships that will be formed between the PawSox staff and the students at Agnes E. Little Elementary School by coordinating this new mentoring program. The need for mentors is great, and we are hopeful this amazing example set by the PawSox will encourage other community-minded organizations to ‘step up to the plate’ for mentoring.”

“This latest initiative with RI Mentoring Partnership is another example of the true partnership that currently exists between the Pawtucket School District and the PawSox organization,” said Patti DiCenso, Pawtucket School District Superintendent. “It is a shining example of their dedication to providing our students with the positive influences and influential relationships needed to develop into focused students and model citizens.”

“Our interaction with children is rejuvenating,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “Even though adults are considered the teachers, we realize that we are the ones learning from our students. The members of the PawSox front office eagerly embrace this opportunity to spend an hour or so each week to fortify a child’s belief in his or her dreams.

“In addition to our hands-on mentoring, we are pleased that the PawSox Foundation will be a Silver Sponsor of ‘Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring’ in the spring. This fundraiser is a key component that fuels the successful programs that the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership operates elsewhere in our state.”

The Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership directly operates programs in five other cites: Warwick, Woonsocket, Newport, Middletown, and Cranston. This program is its first in Pawtucket.

In addition to its own programs, the Partnership supports the services of various mentoring programs statewide that provide more than 4,000 mentors to more than 5,000 students.

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

PawSox to Celebrate Life of Jackie Robinson with High School Student-Athletes from Pawtucket

A group of varsity high school baseball students from Pawtucket will gather in the PawSox home clubhouse this Saturday at noon to celebrate the life of Jackie Robinson. Members of the Shea, Tolman, and St. Raphael Academy baseball programs will all represent their schools and hear stories from Red Sox Hall of Famer Tommy Harper, who will discuss how Jackie Robinson paved the way for other African-American baseball players like himself after breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

“Jackie Robinson’s life is as relevant today as it ever was,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles Steinberg, who was also instrumental in inaugurating such annual tributes with the Boston Red Sox. “What better way to celebrate Black History Month than to learn the stories, first-hand, of how Jackie Robinson’s courage paved the way for today’s children to be able to dream their dreams, and to pursue those dreams?

“It’s probably inconceivable to children today that there was a time when Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, Jr., David Ortiz, or Pedro Martinez would not have been allowed to play Major League Baseball. We have a responsibility to teach our children of the heroic courage demonstrated by Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson. Our lives have been so enriched by their fight to right a wrong.”

Robinson would have turned 98 this Tuesday, January 31, the eve of Black History Month. Commissioner Emeritus Allan H. (Bud) Selig made Robinson’s 42 the first number ever retired by every club in Major League Baseball.

Later, at the suggestion of Ken Griffey, Jr., Selig instituted the tradition that all MLB players wear the number each April 15, the anniversary of Robinson’s big league debut.

Although remaining space is limited, community organizers who would like to bring students can contact Joe Bradlee of the PawSox at jbradlee@pawsox.com. Media interested in attending can contact pr@pawsox.com.

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

What Does $100,000 Really Mean?

Some baseball numbers are filled with meaning.  For Red Sox fans, Number 8, Number 9, and Number 34 are like pictures–they’re worth a thousand words.

Other baseball numbers signify well-known stories, such as 714, 755, and 2131.

But the stories behind some numbers are not self-evident.  They need to be told.

When the PawSox revealed at year-end that their foundation had crossed the $100,000 mark in commitments and contributions, some eyes may have been dazzled, yet some eyes may have glazed over.

Exactly what does such a number mean?

It means that the dreams of a bright, elegant, 13-year old girl at Pawtucket’s Slater Junior High School received a big boost.  Charlisa Kollie aspires to be a pediatrician, and her academic aptitude and palpable compassion have her teachers believing in her.

And on November 4 of this past year, the daunting task of affording a college education became a tad easier–or $10,000 easier.  Charlisa is one of two inaugural students in the PawSox Scholars program.

So is Ethan Hoke, a 14-year-old at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls.  With an essay demonstrating an exceptional love of his town, he offered an array of specific, common-sense suggestions to improve the quality of life where he lives. With uncanny wisdom, he noted that the smallest improvements can inspire community momentum.  

Exactly.

One good deed begets another.

Two children, two scholarships, two lives impacted.  Yet like the ripples of a pond when a stone is tossed, the number of people touched can be much more.

That understanding was evident in the eyes of Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, who saw in these two children one simple, powerful word:  hope.

Rhode Island is blessed with philanthropies and philanthropists whose donations may have more zeroes, and we are all grateful.  The PawSox Foundation may not yet be among the largest in the state, but we embrace our role in making relatively modest donations that help some families and inspire others.

When we made a Veterans Day donation to Operation Stand Down, I wished we had more to give than the $3,000 contribution.  When I said as much to Governor Gina Raimondo, who was standing by my side, she turned to me with a serious look in her eye and asserted that every dollar helps.

The Governor is right.

The veterans were so grateful, as they were the night before, when we hosted a dinner for them in the PawSox Clubhouse.  And as they were, when one by one, a veteran would take the field between innings, all summer long, to feel the emotional impact of a standing ovation of gratitude.  Indeed, we are all “In Debt to a Vet.”

While the PawSox’ partners have made many of the charitable donations to fund our foundation, our corporate partners and our fans have done so as well–sometimes in a particularly fun way.

When moms and dads purchase soft baseballs that their children eagerly toss towards (and occasionally into) the sunroof of a Honda SUV as it circles the field between innings, their good deeds lead to more good deeds. Those dollars are part of $10,000 for the Tomorrow Fund at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. 

The brutal battle waged by courageous innocent children facing cancer is accompanied by additional trauma and turmoil for their families.  Lives change with the diagnosis.  In many cases, work stops.  Cooking stops.  Carpools stop. There is nothing a parent won’t do to save a child’s life–and therefore, everything else may be put on hold.

To the rescue:  the Tomorrow Fund.

Perhaps those dollars are buying dinner.  Perhaps they are paying rent.  Perhaps they are saving more lives than we know.  

Perhaps, as our 14-year-old sage, Ethan Hoke, suggested, those dollars are creating community momentum.  

Perhaps they are providing hope.

As we build our foundation, and as our numbers grow, we hope to touch as many Rhode Island families as we can.

Maybe the zeroes in the numbers will dazzle.  More importantly, maybe the dreams that are funded will make our towns and our state an even better place to live.

We look forward to enhancing our impact–and to performing even more good deeds–in 2017 and beyond, thanks to the beautiful power of baseball.

Happy New Year to you all.

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.