Jumbo Shrimp feature sports industry leaders for Women Belong in Sports Panel & Networking Event

PURCHASE TICKETS (Password, please include spaces: Women Sports Panel)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A star-studded cast of executives highlight the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s Women Belong in Sports Panel & Networking Event presented by First Citizens Bank and We Matter Too, Inc. from 4-6 p.m. prior to the club’s 7:05 p.m. game on Tuesday, September 6 at 121 Financial Ballpark.

The panelists will discuss the important role women play in sports, providing insight on how they broke into the sports industry and rose through the ranks into the roles they have carried for their careers. Topics of discussion also include the challenges women face when entering a male-dominated field, the strong benefits and value of mentorship from women and both the present and future challenges for women working in sports.

The highly successful panelists who are planning to offer their time and insight at this event includes:

  • Linda McNabb – Senior Vice President of Sales, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
  • Donna Orender – CEO, Orender Unlimited, Former president of the WNBA, Former Senior Vice President of the PGA
  • Megha Parekh – Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bold Events, All Elite Wrestling
  • Lauren Muni – Vice President of Marketing, Zaywer Sports
  • Alex Baldwin – President, Korn Ferry Tour (PGA TOUR)
  • Donna Kirk – Senior Associate AD, Compliance & Administration/SWA, University of North Florida

For just $50, the Women Belong in Sports Panel & Networking Event includes a ticket to the event, Hors d’oeuvres and one drink ticket during the event and a game ticket in SkyDeck 4 for the Jumbo Shrimp’s 7:05 p.m. contest against the Iowa Cubs. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can call Jumbo Shrimp account executive Jenna Smith at (904) 374-4598 or [email protected] or visit this link to register and purchase seats Password, please include spaces: Women Sports Panel).

For those unable to make the game but still want to listen to the panel, the event is also virtual. The price is $5 for individuals and $25 for organizations/businesses via this link (Password, please include spaces: Women Sports Panel).

“The Jumbo Shrimp are elated to offer the opportunity to hear from highly-accomplished female executives from throughout the sports industry,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “These women have worked incredibly hard to overcome every single obstacle put in their path on the way to the respective leadership positions they hold. The advice and insight they can share is going to be invaluable for any individual looking to enter the sports industry.

Attendees will walk away from Women Belong in Sports Panel & Networking Event presented by First Citizens Bank and We Matter Too, Inc. having the knowledge that women already are and can continue to be leaders in the sports industry while showcasing the sisterhood that exists among women currently working in sports. The event is designed to provide all attendees with a strong understanding of some of the hurdles and challenges that they may encounter along their own career path, better preparing them for their journey into the sports industry.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by general manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marked the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

Thunder Honor 100-Year-Old World War II Veteran

(Trenton, NJ) Your Trenton Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance Group, were proud to honor 100-year-old World War II Veteran Dan Morgan during the game on Sunday, August 7th as part of the Thunder’s Cloudman’s Hometown Heroes Program.

Dan Morgan is a World War II Veteran where he served as an aviation machinist’s mate First Class in the United States Navy. Dan was born and raised right here in Trenton, then moved to Allentown, NJ where he raised his four daughters.

Dan was a volunteer fireman at the Hope Fire Department in Allentown and went on to be the Allentown Police Commissioner. Dan recently turned 100 years old and has always been an avid fan of baseball. He was at the Thunder game Sunday surrounded by the family he loves, watching the sport he loves.

Sunday’s game also featured an Honor Guard presenting the American flag from the Knights of Columbus – Regina Mundi Council (below).

Cloudman’s Hometown Heroes program recognizes and celebrates individuals and groups that perform inspirational, selfless acts of kindness in our community! Cloudman is always looking for hometown heroes to honor in front of Thunder fans at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. Opportunities include pre-game ceremonies and in-game ceremonies before the presentation of “God Bless America” in the 7th inning of every Thunder home game.

To nominate a Hometown Hero of your own to be recognized at Trenton Thunder Ballpark, click here!

New Jersey’s Baseball Team | Big League Futures. Major League Fun.

The Trenton Thunder have drawn over 10 million fans over 28 years and have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the “Nation’s Best Franchise”, the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion, and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success, given by Baseball America. The team has given back over $7.5 million worth of goods, services, and monetary donations through Trenton Thunder Charities, under the Grand Slam We Care Foundation umbrella. The Thunder can be found online at trentonthunder.com, facebook.com/trentonthunder, twitter.com/trentonthunder, and on youtube.com/AATrentonThunder.

Recycle Right with Montgomery County Environmental Services and the Dayton Dragons

Recycling Bin Initiative (RBI) Program Celebrates at a Dragons Game on Tuesday, August 9

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Montgomery County Environmental Services have teamed up for Heater’s Recycling Bin Initiative (RBI) Program. This free, fun, and educational program is for kids and families to learn about household recycling and how recycling benefits the economy and the environment. The RBI Program only requires two weeks of tracking recycling to participate, but families are encouraged to keep up the good work afterwards.

This year, participants learned about how to “recycle right,” as well as what items can and cannot be recycled. Hundreds of thousands of cans, glass, cardboard, and plastic have been saved from the landfill thanks to the recycling efforts of participants over the past ten years.

All participants will receive up to four Dragons lawn tickets to the RBI Night on Tuesday, August 9 at the Dragons game. They can also redeem exclusive RBI gifts and will be eligible to win other great Dragons prizes and experiences.

Visit www.daytondragons.com/rbi to get more information.

About Montgomery County Environmental Services

Montgomery County Environmental Services provides water and water reclamation (sewer) services to 80,000 customers, and solid waste and recycling services to 525,000 citizens in Montgomery County, Ohio. The department offers educational outreach programs for local schools, communities, and businesses that want to learn more about conservation and sustainability in the Miami Valley region. For more information, visit www.mcohio.org/departments/environmental_services/, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook (@mcohioes).

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.

Saints Announce Winners Of Inaugural Jimmy Lee Umpire Awards, Headlined By Larry Gallagher, As Part of Minor League Baseball's “The Nine” Initiative

ST. PAUL, MN — (August 5, 2022) – Umpires are rarely honored for their hard, often underappreciated work, let alone with an award named for a man as well-respected as the late, great Jimmy Lee. To provide the recognition they so richly deserve, the Saints have introduced an initiative to promote the importance of, and the need for, great umpires and have selected seven winners in the inaugural Jimmy Lee Umpire Awards class.

The following exemplary umpires will be honored during a pregame ceremony celebrating Jimmy Lee and his impact on the Saint Paul community, prior to the Saints August 9 home game:

Lifetime Achievement in Umpiring – Larry Gallagher and Bryan DeVos

Most Dedicated Umpire – Duane Reed & Peyton Yurek

Rookie Umpire of the Year – Nathan O’Brien

Young Umpire of the Year – Ethan Agre

Most Improved Umpire – Chase Hebel

Both baseball and softball umpires were nominated by their league’s assignors in five different categories and a panel including Saints leadership and leaders in the officiating community selected the final award winners. This class of winners is headlined by one of the most respected umpires in Minnesota, Larry Gallagher.

The 82-year-old Gallagher retired in 2020 after 59-years as an umpire and is the Dean of the Northwest Umpires Association. During his final year playing catcher at Augsburg in 1961, an umpire working one of the games thought Gallagher would be a good ump, based on the fact he had been a catcher his entire life. Gallagher, who had a passion for the game and a teaching degree, agreed with the sentiment and thus a long and storied career began.

By his estimation, Gallagher believes he umpired well over 5,000 games and acquired the nickname “Dr. Balk.” A typical season saw Gallagher umpire between 100-150 games, and he was known for studying the rule book intently.

Gallagher got his opportunity to umpire in the Major Leagues in 1979 when the umpires went on strike at the start of the season. In his first Major League game on May 3, he was the first base umpire as the Minnesota Twins hosted the Detroit Tigers at Metropolitan Stadium. All told, Gallagher umpired seven games in the Major Leagues, two behind the plate.

He continued umpiring at various levels of amateur baseball as well as officiating high-school football, basketball, and wrestling. He was a high-school physical-education teacher and coach until he retired in 1999. In addition to umpiring, which he still does, Gallagher is a baseball rules interpreter and coordinator for the Minnesota State High School League.

The Jimmy Lee Umpire Award will be an annual honor given out by the Saints to the most deserving umpires in the area. The award is named after one of the most well-respected officials in Minnesota history. Jim “Jimmy” Lee was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, moved to St. Paul when he was 23, and got a job with a downtown bank. He was involved in sports and played on the Uptown Sanitary Shop and the Twin Cities Colored Gophers, two of the most renowned Black baseball teams at the time. He became a local referee in both football and basketball and an umpire in baseball, considered by many the greatest official in the area at all three sports. He was the first black baseball umpire in the Big 10. He wrote columns for the _Minneapolis Spokesman _for over a decade. Lee was inducted into the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame (1972), the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame (1982) and posthumously into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame in 2013.

This is the second of two nights promoting “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.

The award ceremony will take place prior to the Tuesday, August 9 game between the Saints and the Columbus Clippers.

Saints tickets continue to be a tremendous value. Tickets begin at $5 for the Treasure Island berm seating, $6 bleacher seats, $15 for outfield reserved, $18 for drink rail, infield reserved, and home plate reserved. Friday home games with Post-Game Fireworks are an additional $2 per ticket. Post-Game Fireworks Supershows (September 4) are an additional $3 per ticket. Tickets purchased on the day of the game are an additional $2 per ticket. Children under the age of 12 and seniors 65 and older receive $1 off the admission price. Children under 2 that don’t require a seat are free.

ValleyCats and American National Insurance to Honor 9 Community Heroes at “The Joe”

TROY, NY – The Tri-City ValleyCats and American National Insurance Company have partnered again this season to recognize nine heroes within the Capital Region community during a special on-field ceremony prior to tonight’s rubber match against the Ottawa Titans.

The “Home Run Community Heroes Starting Nine” is chosen through an online fan nomination process. The ‘Cats and American National Insurance encourage fans to nominate hospital staff, health care workers, military personnel, law enforcement, firefighter/EMS agencies, non-profit organizations, as well as teachers, volunteers, children, and everyday people that have helped make a positive impact within the Capital Region!

This year’s honorees are:

  • Cody Alessi, 7th Grade Student
  • Lindsey Bedell, Teacher, Corinth Elementary School
  • Jason Chevrier, Superintendent, Schodack Central School District
  • Chris DelVecchio, Communications Officer, Rensselaer County Public Safety
  • Heather McKenna, Physical Therapist, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Jamie Panichi, Investigations Sergeant, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office
  • Casey Rowland, Teacher, Sand Creek Middle School
  • John Soychak, Paramedic, North Greenbush Ambulance
  • Trevor Taylor, Teacher, School 12, Troy City School District

The ValleyCats and American National Insurance Company’s Glenmont Office will recognize our nine community heroes in a special on-field ceremony beginning at approximately 6:05 PM ahead of tonight’s game against the Ottawa Titans.

For tickets, stop by the box office, call 518-629-CATS, or log on to tcvalleycats.com. Enter the promo code “HERO” at checkout for discounted tickets.

Woodpeckers to host Alzheimer's Awareness Night at Segra Stadium

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – AUGUST 3, 2022 – The Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Chapter is teaming up with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for Paint the Park Purple — Alzheimer’s Awareness Night on Friday, August 12 at Segra Stadium.

Proceeds from Paint the Park Purple will support the Association’s 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville taking place on October 29 —to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The game against the Down East Wood Ducks begins at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. The game will conclude with fireworks. Fans are encouraged to wear purple and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will take home a custom purple hat sponsored by Edward Jones Cumberland County featuring the Woodpeckers signature logo.

The Woodpeckers will take the field wearing purple jerseys in honor of all who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. A jersey auction will take place both in-game and online with the proceeds benefiting the Fayetteville Walk.

Those wishing to learn more about Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville are invited to come early and stop by the Walk Kickoff Tent to learn more, meet the local committee, register for the Walk and pick up information and team captain resources. The tent will be located outside next to the stadium’s box office from 1 – 3 p.m.

The inaugural Paint the Park Purple took place in 2019 and has since raised over $16,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“We appreciate the Fayetteville Woodpeckers support over the last several years to raise funds and awareness for a world without Alzheimer’s,” said Lisa Roberts, executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Alzheimer’s Association Awareness Nights like this provide the opportunity for us to talk about the impact Alzheimer’s and all other dementia has and the care and support the Association can provide to local families in Cumberland County and surrounding areas.”

To purchase tickets for Paint the Park Purple — Alzheimer’s Awareness Night click here.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 180,000 people living with the disease and 356,000 caregivers.

To sign up as a walker or Team Captain or to learn more about becoming a sponsor of Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville, visit act.alz.org/fayettevillenc or call 800-272-3900.

The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina including: Alamance County, Asheville, Charlotte, Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln Counties, Fayetteville, Guilford County, Henderson County, Iredell County, Jacksonville, Moore County, Mount Airy, New Bern, Rowan-Cabarrus Counties, Triangle (Raleigh and Durham), Unifour (formerly Hickory), Wilmington and Winston-Salem. To register and receive the latest updates on any of this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.

About the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter

The Eastern North Carolina Chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 51 eastern North Carolina counties. It offers opportunities to get involved and to make a difference, in addition to a variety of services including: a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and MedicAlert®. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit alz.org/nc or call 800-272-3900. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Beckett Richards, 8-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 8-year-old Beckett Richards during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 3, when the Dayton Dragons take on the Peoria Chiefs 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.

Beckett’s Story

It was Wednesday, January 10, 2018, when Beckett Richards was rushed to the hospital after a phone call that changed his life. After recent blood tests, doctors were concerned with his white blood cell count – Beckett tested at 48,000 where the standard range is around 4,000 – 8,000. These numbers were indicators for leukemia. Not only that, but his red blood cell count was very low, he was anemic, and he needed a blood transfusion immediately.

Beckett’s parents, Kelly and Nathan, picked up their family and rushed to the hospital. This 3-year-old received a bone marrow biopsy and a spinal tap confirming his diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This cancer, while having an 80% success rate, was going to take Beckett through a long 4-year journey. During that time, he received around 12 types of chemotherapy, 92 port infusions, over 1,200 oral chemo doses, among many other medications and procedures.

Beckett’s journey was difficult, and just as the family was learning to cope with this change, COVID was sweeping the nation. Kelly and Nathan agreed that they couldn’t risk Beckett being exposed at school during this time. They had taken him and his brother out of classes and homeschooled them while he received treatment.

The steroids, chemotherapy, and infusions are difficult on a child’s body, and with Beckett having an extremely low immune system, can be even harder. During this difficult journey, Beckett was diagnosed with Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD) from the high doses of medication. He was experiencing body discomfort, a bloated abdomen, and liver failure.

Beckett’s journey with cancer is coming to a happy ending as he is in ‘remission’ having had his final treatment in April of 2021. Beckett will be returning to school at Harold Schnell and has the heart of a fighter. During his journey, Beckett reminded himself to “be strong” which drove him to finally ring the Survivors Bell at the hospital.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Beckett’s life, including his mom, dad, older brother, 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.

Trash Pandas To Host Military Tribute Night, Donut 5K Challenge 

USA Patriots Softball Game set for September 10, Donut 5K Challenge on September 24

The Rocket City Trash Pandas today announced details for two events taking place at Toyota Field in September, the Military Tribute Night on Saturday, September 10, and the Rocket City Trash Pandas Donut 5K Challenge on Saturday, September 24

The Military Tribute Night on September 10 will be a celebration to pay tribute to our Armed Forces. In partnership with AUSA, the evening will feature pregame festivities such as a parachute team, large flag presentation, color guard, and more.

Team USA Patriots will take on Team AUSA in a softball game that night, before the evening will conclude with fireworks and a performance from Scotty Hasting, Nashville artists, and Army combat veterans. Tickets are now available and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.

Tickets cost $10 in advance with the price increasing to $15 on September 10. Gates will open at 5 p.m. The USA Patriots will be hosting a pre-game meet and greet with an autograph signing on the concourse from 5:15-5:45 p.m. Scotty Hasting will then perform at 5:45. Following a patriotic pre-game display, the game will begin at 6:15 and last nine innings. Scotty Hasting, Nashville artists, and Army combat veterans will perform a post-game concert as well.

Group and hospitality options are available. To learn more, please call (256) 325-1403 extension 2.

Two weeks later, Toyota Field will host the Rocket City Trash Pandas Donut 5K Challenge, a great test of endurance for fans with an appetite. Participants will start inside Toyota Field then run to the designated donut pick up spot inside Town Madison. After eating at least three donuts, participants will make their way back to the Start/Finish line inside Toyota Field. The race will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Medals will be awarded to the Top 3 Male and Female Finishers who complete the challenge by eating the donuts and crossing the finish line. Registration is now open by CLICKING HERE and costs $30 in advance, with the price going up to $50 on the day of the race. Registration will include a T-Shirt, Bib, Donuts for the challenge, access to the post-race celebration at the Inline Electric Rock Porch with one drink voucher included per participant, as well as a post-race healthy snack. The deadline to register and receive a T-Shirt is Sunday, September 4, and the deadline to register online is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21.

The Inline Electric Rock Porch will be open for spectators and participants to enjoy a nice cold beverage and to partake in a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar.

Bats to Hold Canned Good Drive and Jersey Auction for Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats announced that they will be holding a bottled water/canned good drive at their Sunday, July 31 game at 1:05 p.m. against the Columbus Clippers. In addition, the team announced it will hold an online auction for a signed Jack Harlow Bats jersey. All proceeds will benefit the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund.

Fans are encouraged to drop off bottled water and/or canned goods at the July 31 game. Donation bins will be in the Hall of Fame pavilion located inside the west entrance to Louisville Slugger Field. In exchange for a donation, fans will receive a coupon valid for a 20 percent discount in the Bats Team Store.

The team will also auction a jersey signed by music superstar and Louisville-native Jack Harlow. Fans can bid on the jersey on the Bats website (www.batsbaseball.com) beginning Sunday night (July 31) and bidding will continue for a full week.

All proceeds will benefit the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. Established by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear following the floods and severe weather system of the past week, the fund will support those impacted by flooding in the eastern part of Kentucky. Fans can also make monetary donations by visiting the fund’s website (https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief)).

The Bats today also announced that kids tickets for all remaining Sunday home day games, including this Sunday (the 31st) will be just $5. Please call the Louisville Bats Office at (502) 212-2287 with any questions, Mon-Fri (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). And, for information about the donation drive and jersey auction, please visit www.batsbaseball.com.

Deaf Awareness Night Returns to Pelicans Ballpark

The night, which is presented by Young Talkers, marks the 4th annual event for the team

August 12th will mark the return of Deaf Awareness Night to Pelicans Ballpark presented by Young Talkers. To increase awareness and raise funds for the deaf community, the Pelicans will wear specially-designed jerseys, courtesy of Young Talkers, that replace the traditional Myrtle Beach script with American Sign Language (ASL). The back of the jersey will also feature the “I Love You” sign in ASL, a strong symbol within the deaf community. The club will auction off the commemorative jerseys with proceeds benefiting the Pelicans Organization for the Deaf.

In an effort to create an inclusive experience for members of the deaf community, sign language interpreters will be infused into the Pelicans’ game day experience. Interpreters have been assigned to special sections within Pelicans Ballpark for the evening. Fans needing an interpreter for the game on August 12 should purchase tickets online at myrtlebeachpelicans.com using promo code DA2022. The dedicated interpreter sections for the evening will be 107 and 208. Additionally, the first 500 fans through the gates will receive a gift bag courtesy of Young Talkers.

Gates will open at 6 PM for the 7:05 PM game against the Columbia Fireflies (affiliate of the Royals). For tickets and additional information visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com/asl.

ABOUT YOUNG TALKERS: Young Talkers is an adult & pediatric therapy clinic located in Myrtle Beach, SC and Pawleys Island, SC. Their mission is to provide quality speech-language and feeding/swallowing therapy services to the pediatric and adult population in order to enhance their verbal/non-verbal communication and feeding/swallowing skills. They accomplish this by identifying concerns through specialized evaluations and the development of goals to meet the needs of the patient and their family. Young Talkers has received first place in Best of the Beach for six years in a row for Best Medical Clinic, Group or Office. For more information, visit them online at YoungTalkers.com.

ABOUT PELICANS ORGANIZATION FOR THE DEAF: Pelicans Organization for the Deaf (POFD) is a non-for-profit organization that provides educational and cultural events which serves members and board with diverse in the Myrtle Beach area. POFD recognizes the differences and diversities in people and members who encourage interaction amongst one another for stimulating and exciting exchanges of ideas , concepts, information and leadership. Each POFD member is unique and appreciated as an individual. Without them, POFD would not exist. The programs, service, events and new activities provided by POFD continues to attract new members and volunteers. A growing number of members in this organization shows that POFD is truly meeting its goals and needs in the community.

OKC Dodgers and ODMHSAS to Honor Reggie Whitten Saturday As He Works to #StrikeOutTheStigma

Oklahomans working to destigmatize mental health and substance use struggles are being recognized during Dodgers games this season in partnership with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers are partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) this season to help #StrikeOutTheStigma and increase awareness on the topic of mental health and substance use in our community.

The partnership focuses on education, advocacy and support to help destigmatize the connotations that come with mental health and substance use struggles. Oklahomans who are working to do so will be recognized throughout the 2022 Dodgers baseball season.

The second honoree of 2022 is Reggie Whitten, a practicing lawyer in Oklahoma City who spends his free time advocating about the dangers of substance abuse across the state following the death of his son in 2002. Whitten founded Fighting Addiction Through Education (FATE).

Whitten will be recognized during the Dodgers’ game against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“Through our partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, we want to help raise awareness on the topic of mental health by talking openly about the subject and providing educational resources,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “By sharing the personal stories of Oklahomans who have been impacted by, or work to provide, mental health and substance use services in our community, we want to help strike out the stigma and provide support to our fellow Oklahomans.”

Whitten’s son Brandon was a well-loved, popular kid who was homecoming king at Westmoore High School and went on to win a NAIA football championship with Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Unknown to many however, he became addicted to opioids, leading to a deadly motorcycle crash in 2002.

Whitten shares his son’s story through his work with FATE, wanting to change the stigma of how addiction is viewed.

“It is not a shameful thing,” he said. “It is a disease of the brain.”

He emphasizes that those struggling with addiction face a stigma that people afflicted by other diseases don’t.

“There is no stigma associated with cancer, diabetes, asthma or any other disease I can think of,” he said. “When your loved one gets addiction, there’s nobody knocking at the door to bring over food or give you a hug.”

Whitten notes that there are a myriad of resources available through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and that addiction can be treated like any other disease.

He said it’s critical to make the public aware of the dangers of opioids.

“The need for this is greater now than ever,” Whitten said.

To read Whitten’s full story, visit the OKC Dodgers’ “Beyond the Bricks” website at: medium.com/beyond-the-bricks.

The Dodgers continue a six-game series against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at 7:05 p.m. tonight and the teams play nightly through Sunday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Friday Night Fireworks are set to follow Friday night’s 7:05 p.m. game.

Whitten will be honored during Saturday night’s 7:05 p.m. game. Saturday is also Marvel Defenders of the Diamond Night and the Dodgers will wear special edition Marvel-branded jerseys on the field. Special guests Thor and Star-Lord will be in attendance. A Braum’s Friends and Family group offer is available Saturday for groups of 10 or more to receive a game ticket, OKC Dodgers hat and meal voucher to use at any Braum’s location in Oklahoma for a special ticket price.

Following Sunday night’s 6:05 p.m. series finale against the Space Cowboys, kids can run the bases.

OKC Dodgers tickets can be purchased through okcdodgers.com/tickets. For more information, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182.

Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

ECMO Treatment at INTEGRIS Health Helped Save Life of Tulsa Man

OKLAHOMA CITY – The 11th season of the INTEGRIS Health “Home Run for Life” series continues Friday night as Cliff Allison will be recognized prior to the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ 7:05 p.m. game against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Allison, 53, suffered acute mitral valve failure during the summer of 2020. However, a buildup of fluid in his lungs made it impossible to operate on his heart. Allison was flown from Tulsa to INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City where he would receive an advanced life-saving treatment called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

“There’s no question that what INTEGRIS Health did was a life-saver,” Allison said.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during a pregame ceremony.

“Each month during the baseball season, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS Health to honor the perseverance and courage displayed by these incredible Oklahomans,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “’Home Run For Life’ allows us to uniquely recognize their amazing and inspiring stories of triumph over significant health challenges.”

Allison was mowing his lawn on a warm June day in 2020 when he suddenly felt overheated and had trouble breathing. His symptoms did not improve and testing at an urgent care revealed the levels of oxygen in his blood were dangerously low. He was rushed to the emergency room in Tulsa.

There, he was diagnosed with acute mitral valve failure, but unfortunately, by the time the cause was discovered, Allison had suffered further complications, including a buildup of fluid in his lungs, which made a heart operation impossible at that time.

After being flown to INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City, Allison started ECMO treatment, which works like a set of heart and lungs for a patient. It is often considered as a “last hope” for patients with hearts in critical condition.

ECMO bought Allison’s body time to heal, and once he was stable, Dr. Marshall Bell, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at INTEGRIS Health, was able to replace Allison’s mitral valve and save his life.

“If it weren’t for the skill and care I got at INTEGRIS Health, I wouldn’t be here today,” Allison said.

To read Allison’s full story, visit the OKC Dodgers’ “Beyond the Bricks” website at: medium.com/beyond-the-bricks. Photos of Allison are attached for use (credit: OKC Dodgers).

The Dodgers continue a six-game series against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at 7:05 p.m. tonight and the teams play nightly through Sunday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Allison will be honored prior to Friday night’s 7:05 p.m. game and Friday Night Fireworks are set to follow the game.

Saturday is Marvel Defenders of the Diamond Night and the Dodgers will wear special edition Marvel-branded jerseys on the field. Special guests Thor and Star-Lord will be in attendance. A Braum’s Friends and Family group offer is available Saturday for groups of 10 or more to receive a game ticket, OKC Dodgers hat and meal voucher to use at any Braum’s location in Oklahoma for a special ticket price.

Following Sunday night’s 6:05 p.m. series finale against the Space Cowboys, kids can run the bases.

OKC Dodgers tickets can be purchased through okcdodgers.com/tickets. For more information, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182.

Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

Charlie Ferguson’s Home Run for Life

Four-year-old Charlie Ferguson has dreams of one day becoming a doctor, or a chef. So intrigued, in fact, that she was given a stethoscope of her own during a recent appointment.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO BEACON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

In October of 2021, after experiencing random headaches, her mom Kelsie decided to take her to Beacon Children’s Hospital in South Bend for a CT scan. What followed was terrifying and unexpected.

“It was fast getting that news. In for a CT, 30 minutes later, my family doc called me and told me they found something. I was terrified and so was she,” said Kelsie.

Two days later, Beacon Children’s Neurosurgeon Dr. Daniel Fulkerson performed an emergency 12-hour surgery removing some, but not all, of a large tumor tucked away in Charlie’s brain stem.

A second surgery was performed months later, followed by three rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation that would remove most of what was left of the tumor.

“Beacon has been amazing. The staff, Dr. Fulkerson, everyone. Charlie is doing therapy now and we are very optimistic. We know she’ll be ok,” said Kelsie.

The near future may be uncertain for the Ferguson’s, but this close knit family has faith that Charlie will one day share her story of resilience with patients of her own.

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

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

Blue Wahoos Help Make My Wish Experience Memorable For 10-Year-Old Boy, Ailing Mother 

Victor Victor Mesa, the favorite player for 10-year-old Hudson Furness, joins with his mother, Mandi Furness, during batting practice Wednesday. (Daniel Venn)

When you have been battling an illness so long that hospital visits have been routine since childhood, it becomes a lot simpler to identify the good days when they come.

On a not-too-hot Monday afternoon, 38-year-old mother Amanda “Mandi” Furness had a good day.

She looked on as her 10-year-old son, Hudson, played a game of baseball with his friends on the field of Blue Wahoos stadium as her father, Herb, secured the pitching mound. Her wheelchair was pulled up to the fence in the dugout, her family laughing and cheering beside her. With tears welled underneath her sunglasses, she was acutely aware and grateful for every second.

Furness spent many days and nights in the hospital throughout her childhood, but it wasn’t until 2009 that doctors diagnosed her illness as lupus. She received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2020.

Her mobility is now limited and her vision comes and goes. But she still decks herself out in pink, from her bright, painted toenails up to a chunky, pastel necklace. With each new round of treatment, she has been taken in and cared for by her sister,

Christin Keeney, and her sister’s husband, Thomas, who is more like a brother than a brother-in-law. Her mom and dad have continued to be her support system since she was a little girl. Her mother still only leaves the hospital to shower, a routine dating back to the days before Furness ever received a diagnosis.

“(Dad) is my hero, my mother is my best friend,” she said. “I struck the lottery.”

When she decided she had had enough of hospital admissions two months ago, Furness was told by doctors it was time to prepare to say goodbye to her family.

It was a task she felt prepared for, even writing letters to her son to be delivered at life milestones she may not be around to witness. When Furness was given a wish by the Covenant Care Foundation, she decided to do something not for herself, but for her son, and wished for him and his friends to be able to play baseball at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

For people surprised by her decision to spend the once in a lifetime wish on a child’s baseball game, she simply replied, “That’s just because you’ve never seen my son play baseball.” Aaron West, vice president of the Covenant Care Foundation, said the nonprofit health care organization has granted 2,600 wishes for seriously or terminally ill people like Furness since they launched the My Wish program in 2018.

With the help of community donors and partners, they have helped veterans into planes for their final flight, sent patients out on fishing expeditions and have even organized baptisms and weddings.

“We add life to days when days are limited in life,” West said. With her son Hudson’s help, lately Furness has been feeling a renewed zest for life, even training to walk across the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Though she is not ready yet, each day she gets a little stronger.

With each step she practices at home, Hudson will chime in and say, “That’s one step closer to walking that bridge,” she said.

Despite her looming diagnosis she continues to make progress “The doctors cannot explain it, but I’m getting better,” Furness said. “Science only goes so far. Then comes God.”

She watched with each fielded ball or run that Hudson scored as all his fears disappeared for a moment and he could focus on having fun. “That is a really cool wish for a mama, because she could have wished for just about anything,”

Angela Bottesini, senior director for My Wish said. “She wanted to create an environment as if they were one of the real-deal players.”

Furness’ father, Herb Westphal, thought back on the days when he would watch his daughter play softball in Germany as he coached.

“She was a tough little girl,” he recalled. Now he warms up with his grandson out on the baseball diamond, who has been following in his mother’s footsteps for as long as he can remember. Watching the two worlds collide hit home. “My daughter has been sick for a very long time,” he said. “For some reason, she’s here now. … It means the world.”

West said each wish averages out to have an impact on 13 people when it is granted. Hudson’s baseball team looked on as he was presented with a baseball autographed from every Blue Wahoos player, and every eye turned as the boy folded into his mother, one hand gripping the signed baseball and other looped around his mom’s neck.

“Nothing. You know what’s better than this? Nothing,” he told his mom

Greenville Drive Announce Dr. Burke Royster as Organization’s 16th Annual Green Day Honoree

Greenville, S.C. – The Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced today that Dr. Burke Royster has been selected as the honoree for the team’s annual Green Day celebration, presented by TD Bank, this year to be held on Wednesday August 10th at Fluor Field when the Drive host the Hickory Crawdads.

Each year, the Drive pays tribute to an individual who has helped make Greenville one of the most livable, desired, and thriving cities in the country. Throughout his tenure leading Greenville County Schools, Dr. Royster has helped not only to improve the district’s overall report rating but also to deliver enhancements across the board in instructional delivery, student engagement, and rigor while achieving a double-digit increase in the county’s high school graduation rate. He has also helped to create innovative public/private partnerships and curriculum changes like the Graduation Plus program that have resulted in developing a more prepared area workforce. The Drive are excited and honored to recognize Dr. Royster as this year’s Green Day honoree.

“As long-standing supporters of our public schools, the Drive organization knows that there is no more direct and tangible impact on the future than education,” said Greenville Drive President and Owner Craig Brown. “As we celebrate Green Day this year, we’re honored to recognize and celebrate Dr. Royster for his efforts in empowering and educating all of our community’s young people and preparing them for an even brighter tomorrow.”

“I greatly appreciate this recognition, and I’m deeply honored to serve alongside the 11,000 employees within Greenville County Schools who are working to inspire, support and prepare our students each and every day,” said Dr. Royster. “We cannot do what we do without the leadership of the GCS Board of Trustees and significant community partnerships like the one we have with the Greenville Drive. I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate on Green Day all that Greenville County Schools and this community have accomplished, and I look forward to being a part of the continued progress as we make sure that Greenville County remains one of the best places in the country to live, learn, and work.”

Royster joins an acclaimed group of Green Day honorees, including Mayor Max Heller and his wife, Trudy (2006); Greenville City Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming and Greenville County Councilwoman Xanthene Norris (2007); former Greenville Technical College President Dr. Tom Barton (2008); businessman and philanthropist C. Dan Joyner (2009); civic leader, judge and attorney Merl Code (2010); former S.C. Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley (2011); South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Founder Dr. Virginia Uldrick (2012); environmentalist and attorney Tommy Wyche (2013); philanthropists Hayne and Anna Kate Hipp (2014); Centennial American Properties CEO David Glenn (2015); Erwin Penland Co-Founder Joe Erwin (2016); Hughes Development Corporation Chairman Bob Hughes (2017); Spinx Chairman Stewart Spinks (2018); Southernside Neighborhood President Mary Duckett (2019) and Mayor Knox White (2021).

In honor of Green Day and Greenville’s birthday celebration, Drive players will wear special green uniforms and caps on Green Day, and fans are encouraged to create a “green out” by sporting green, as well. First pitch is set for 7:05pm against the Hickory Crawdads. The first 2,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a commemorative Green Day t-shirt, and the first 1,000 kids will receive a commemorative Green Day cape, all courtesy of TD Bank. Dr. Royster will be honored on the field just prior to the first pitch and again during the game. Following the game, the Drive invites fans to stick around for a spectacular birthday firework show in celebration of Greenville’s birthday.

To purchase tickets for Green Day on Wednesday, August 10th, go to the Main Street Box Office, call (864) 240-4528 or *[CLICK HERE](https://gd1.glitnirticketing.com/gdticket/web/stadiumgb_svg.php?status_id=2&event_id=98&tfl=Greenville_Drive_Single_Game_Tickets-tickets-na-single_game_tickets-x0-unknown-unknown&ga=2.182487334.1289177350.1658498356-458190560.1646148210&refresh=1658850205). *