Perdue Collects 9,395 lbs. to Strike Out Hunger

All-Star Game initiative off to great start

An employee-led food drive to support the “Strike Out Hunger” Campaign on Delmarva generated more than 9,350 pounds of non-perishable food items to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Branch of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.

Building on a company commitment to fighting hunger in our communities, Perdue is sponsoring the 2011 “Strike Out Hunger” South Atlantic League All-Star Game at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on behalf of the three Feeding America-affiliated food banks serving Delmarva.

The associated “Strike Out Hunger” Campaign, which will run until the June 21 game, is focused on raising food donations and funds, and encouraging volunteer efforts all across Delmarva to benefit the three food banks.

As Andrea Williams, vice president and controller of Perdue Foods and Maryland Food Bank Advisory Board member, explains, “The ‘Strike Out Hunger’ campaign is a community effort. It’s not a Perdue effort alone, but our associates stepped up to encourage the rest of Delmarva to join Perdue, the Shorebirds and our food banks to strike out hunger on Delmarva. This shows what can happen when people combine their efforts to help the hungry in our communities.”

The two-week food drive engaged associates from Perdue facilities on Delmarva. Associates were able to donate enough food to the three food banks combined to provide more than 7,200 meals for families and individuals on Delmarva.

On April 12, associate volunteers helped unload and sort 3,638 pounds of donated items to the Eastern Shore branch of the Maryland Food Bank in Salisbury.

“For 25 years, Perdue has been dedicated to the support of the Maryland Food Bank’s mission,” said Eastern Shore branch manager Jennifer Small. “This is another example of that relationship.”

The Eastern Shore branch of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia received 1,218 pounds of food, all from the Perdue Accomac processing plant associates.

“I am truly proud and excited for the Accomac Processing Plant and all of their associates. In a relatively short amount of time they collected over 1,200 pounds of food,” said branch manager Charmin Horton. “We are very grateful to Perdue for all of the support they give to the food bank, not only during this ‘Strike Out Hunger’ campaign, but throughout the year.”

In Delaware, associates, including those at the Georgetown and Milford plants, donated 4,539 pounds of food, which benefitted the Food Bank of Delaware.

“I was amazed how the Perdue team jumped up and started collecting,” said Food Bank of Delaware Milford Branch Manager Crystal Timmons. “They showed us how working as a team makes things so much stronger. The Food Bank of Delaware is blessed to have so many partners stepping up to the plate for ‘Strike Out Hunger.'”

This article first appeared on the official website of the Delmarva Shorebirds.  Click here to read the original story.

 

SHOREBIRDS EXCEED CANNED FOOD GOAL AND LIFT BAN ON SHERMAN

Club Collects 973 Pounds of Canned Food Items to Help “Strike Out Hunger”

The Delmarva Shorebirds, the class “A” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are thrilled to announce that the club has collected 973 pounds of canned food items to benefit the “Strike Out Hunger” campaign associated with 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by Perdue.  Therefore, Sherman the Shorebird, who was banned last week from Perdue Stadium until the club accumulated at least 500 pounds, has been saved.  Sherman will be able to attend Tuesday night’s exhibition game against Salisbury University and the rest of the games because of the generosity of the community.

The “Strike Out Hunger” campaign was developed in conjunction with Perdue and the 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star Game, which will be contested on June 21 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  The campaign is focused on raising food donations and funds, and encouraging volunteer efforts to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Branch of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.

The Shorebirds kicked off the canned food drive by collecting over 200 pounds of food at the 9th Annual Hot Stove Banquet at The Fountains Wedding & Conference Center.

More recently, on March 26 at the annual Fan Fest event, fans contributed nearly 275 pounds of canned food items.  The Shorebirds also raised $124 dollars for the initiative at Fan Fest.

“I was a little worried for Sherman when we banned him from the ballpark, but the overwhelming generosity of our community was amazing,” said general manager Chris Bitters.  “The Strike Out Hunger campaign is off to a great start.”

The Shorebirds also received a significant contribution from Ovations Food Services employees and members of the Delmarva Shorebirds Fan Club.

Sherman the Shorebird will be in attendance on Tuesday, April 5 when the Shorebirds play an exhibition game against Salisbury University at 7:05 p.m.  Fans are encouraged to bring canned food items to the game.  Drop boxes will be located right inside the main entrance to the stadium.

RiverDogs Promote “Going Local”

They are seen working in the community. Charlie T. RiverDog is seen all over the Lowcountry. Stories are told about how much fans love coming to The Joe and how much the local organization means to the area.

In that local spirit, the organization has announced a formal relationship with Lowcountry Local First for the 2011 season.

The mission of Lowcountry Local First is to advocate the benefits of a local living economy by strengthening community support for independent and locally-owned businesses and farmers.

“We want to stress the fact that supporting local businesses helps to strengthen our local economy,” said RiverDogs general manager Dave Echols.  “We are an active player in this region – whether we are in season or not – and we want to do all we can to help our local businesses.  As a result, we hope that our fans will recognize the importance of supporting local businesses and artisans while at the same time allowing Lowcountry Local First members an opportunity to reach our fans, all while enjoying a night of relaxation and entertainment by attending a RiverDogs game.”

Part of the RiverDogs’ involvement with Lowcountry Local First will consists of locally owned businesses having the opportunity to provide information and promote awareness through various table displays near the entrance of Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Saturdays.

Fans who come to the ballpark for Saturday home games will not only have the chance to interact with those local businesses, but if they show proof of residency in the Greater Charleston area, they’ll receive $1 off their ticket purchase upon entering The Joe.

Lowcountry Local First is an alliance that educates the public on the importance of supporting the local economy, and encourages businesses and consumers to be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. They are the 44th network of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), North America’s fastest growing network of socially responsible businesses that are comprised of more than 80 community networks representing 22,000 independent business members across 30 states and Canadian provinces.

These networks create local living economies through the building blocks of independent retail, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green building, local zero-waste manufacturing, community capital, independent media and local arts and culture.

Hit the Books Contest Winner Announced Wednesday

The Omaha Storm Chasers awarded fourth-grader Gracie Davis this year’s Hit the Books contest winner, in a ceremony at Anderson Grove Elementary Wednesday. Davis was selected by the Storm Chasers community relations staff based on her original bookmark design.

“It was extremely difficult to choose a winner this year with so many great entries,” said Andrea Stava, the club’s Community Relations Manager. “The Omaha metro area has many talented students and we looked at thousands of great submissions. We’re excited to finally announce a winner.”

Hit the Books, the Storm Chasers’ literacy program presented by Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST), has a membership of approximately 15,000 students and 1,000 teachers at 50 Omaha-area schools. Students were asked to submit original drawings for this year’s bookmark, which feature the artwork Gracie submitted this January. Bookmarks will be distributed throughout the city to each student who reaches their initial reading benchmark.

Students will have an opportunity to earn the bookmark, a pencil, a ticket to a Storm Chasers game and a prize pack for completing the program. Davis was presented with a Storm Chasers t-shirt, miniature baseball bat, Storm Chasers logo ball and various other items with the full prize pack at Wednesday’s event.

Fisher Cats Partake in Annual Day of Caring

Members of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats front office spent Wednesday morning volunteering their services at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester and the Londonderry Toys for Tots as a part of the club’s annual Day of Caring.  The Fisher Cats front office also participated in the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family program and contributed gifts to local family in need during the holidays.

“It’s the very least that we can do as an organization and as individuals,” said Fisher Cats President Rick Brenner.  “These special organizations and their volunteers work tirelessly to make a positive difference in so many lives, especially during the holidays. We’re just honored to lend a hand.”

Half of the Fisher Cats staff headed to the New Hampshire Food Bank warehouse in Manchester where they assisted the Food Bank staff in sorting donated food items in preparation for delivery.  The other half of the Fisher Cats staff visited the Londonderry Toys for Tots headquarters and helped with organizing donated toys and readying them for distribution.

Earlier in the week, a local family participating in the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family program visited Merchantsauto.com Stadium and received gifts including toys, clothes and Fisher Cats merchandise donated by each member of the Fisher Cats front office staff.

“There is no better feeling than knowing you can help to make someone’s holiday season a little bit brighter,” said Danielle Matteau, Fisher Cats Executive Director of Marketing and Public Affairs.  “As a staff, we just feel fortunate that we are able to make a difference.”

12Stone Church doles out Holiday Meals at Coolray Field

Hundreds of cars lined Ga. Highway 20 in Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon, waiting for their turn in the parking lot of Coolray Field.

Heartfelt cries of “God bless you” and “Merry Christmas” poured from vehicles as unemployed families by the thousands patiently and happily filed through, volunteers from 12Stone Church and a number of partners doling out turkeys, hams and groceries to those in need this holiday season.

“It just means such a great deal,” said Ladonna Smith, leaving with a turkey for her family’s Christmas dinner. “It’s such a blessing, especially being unemployed and having kids.”

After police officers directed folks into the lot, a stone’s throw from the Gwinnett Braves’ stadium, volunteers-turned-traffic-managers orchestrated what turned out to be a smoothly run operation.

Cars were organized into four separate lanes, with pallets full of goodies stacked intermittently in between.

An estimated 250 volunteers cheerfully took requests from waiting recipients. All told, 12Stone distributed 2,500 meals Saturday.

“I love helping people,” church volunteer Cathy Minter said. “They’ve been so thankful. They’re wishing us a merry Christmas, but what I’m getting back from them … I just can’t explain it. I just love it.”

12Stone partnered with HoneyBaked Ham Corp., Kroger, Signature Foods and the G-Braves to provide “a meal and more.” Each family went home with a HoneyBaked ham or turkey, a week’s worth of groceries and a voucher for four tickets to a 2011 Gwinnett Braves game.

The church had already given 3,000 packages to unemployed members, friends and neighbors of the congregation. In all, the 5,500 packages distributed totaled more than $1 million in goods and services.

“It’s been amazing,” Minter said. “We love to serve people. And that’s what God wants us to do.”

As testament to the tough economic times, cars lined up at nearby gas station hours before the giveaway scheduled for 1 p.m., jockeying to make sure their family got a real Christmas dinner.

“This just helps you to be thankful for every day of life,” recipient Terena Harris said. “Especially in times like this you need to be very thankful that people can maintain groups like this, and you can have a meal on the table.”

Added husband John: “We just really appreciate it.”

This article by Tyler Estep originally appeared in the Gwinnett Daily Post on December 18, 2010.

Legends announce donations of $965,012 for 2010

The Lexington Legends announced donations for 2010 totaling $965,012 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving central Kentucky. The Ivy Walls Charitable Giving Foundation Fund at Bluegrass Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Legends and business sponsors, presented checks to organization representatives today in the Maker’s Mark Club at Applebee’s Park.
In its 10-year history, the Legends organization has donated more than $9 million to the region.
“This is truly one of our biggest events of the year in terms of importance,” said Legends General Manager Andy Shea. “It’s a way to celebrate the good work done by these organizations. We’re pleased to support them in their efforts.”
“Perhaps the most important thing we do is using the enormous success and popularity of the Lexington Legends to be able to make our communities better,” said Legends President and CEO Alan Stein. “We could not be more proud of our community outreach programs and our fans and sponsors who make them possible.”
Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington-based organization that manages the operation of minor league baseball teams, including the Legends.
Organizations receiving funds were:
–The Makenna Foundation. Established in 2001 in memory of Makenna David, who died of a rare lung disease in 1998, the Makenna Foundation has raised more than $1.2 million for the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Legends’ Charity Ball Toss event, sponsored by Copy Express, generates funds for general support of the Makenna Foundation.
–Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, and has worked for more than a century to develop positive relationships that have a lasting impact on young people. Raising Cane’s donated $25 to BBBS for every Legends win at Applebee’s Park. The Legends also worked with LM Communications to plan and present a “radiothon” to raise funds for BBBS.
–The Markey Cancer Foundation. The Legends’ campaign to “strike out breast cancer,” sponsored by ADI, provides five dollars for each strikeout recorded by Lexington pitchers during home games. The fight against breast cancer is also supported by the Legends’ Breast Cancer Brunch and the sale of pink game jerseys, also sponsored by ADI.
–Kentucky Pink Connection. The Breast Cancer Brunch and the sale of pink game jerseys also benefit the Kentucky Pink Connection program, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing and/or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
–Junior Achievement. Donations were made to JA from the proceeds of the Brewgrass Festival, a beer-tasting and entertainment event held at Applebee’s Park in May. A bowl-a-thon also raised funds for JA, and several Legends employees volunteered and taught classes in the JA program.
-St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program. The sale of regular game jerseys worn by Legends’ players provides general support for the program, which provides one- and two-year scholarships to deserving nursing students at area colleges and universities.
–Lexington Humane Society. Sponsored by IncrediPet, the Legends held two “Bark in the Park” nights during the 2010 season. After making a donation to the Humane Society as an “admission” charge, fans could bring their dogs to the Legends game on “Bark in the Park” nights. Courtesy Acura donates to the Humane Society based on walks to Legends batters. Also, portions of proceeds from vendors who set up exhibits at Applebee’s Park on those nights went to the Humane Society.
-The Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council. Sponsored by Windstream, a $25 donation is made to the Boy Scouts for every double or triple by a Legends player during home games.
–Eternal Valor. The Eternal Valor Foundation’s mission is to facilitate and assist in the creation and management of scholarships, charities and events in order to honor the memory of deceased veterans. On Military Appreciation Night, the Legends sold fatigue jerseys to support Eternal Valor.
-“Guns ’n’ Hoses” softball game at Applebee’s Park. Sponsored by Gall’s, the game matches Lexington police officers against firefighters. In 2010, proceeds went to the family of Lexington police officer Bryan J. Durman, who died in the line of duty.
In-kind donations
The Legends also make substantial in-kind donations throughout the year, including a long-standing relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass. Donors to the United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game. In the 2010 season, more than 44,000 box seat tickets were given to United Way donors.
Other in-kind projects were associated with Special Olympics, the walk to defeat ALS, the Kentucky Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery’s Smokeless Tobacco Education program, and Hit the Books, a joint effort between the Legends and Chick-Fil-A to encourage Central Kentucky students to read.

Legends’ Mascot, Big L, and General Manager, Andy Shea.

Local Publication Cites RiverDogs with Philanthropy Award

While the sound of bats cracking and the scent of hot dogs grilling may make Charleston RiverDogs fans smile while at The Joe, those same fans have even more of a reason to support the franchise while fancying even bigger smiles when the RiverDogs engage in any of their many community service activities,

Because of the organization’s positive impact in the community, the RiverDogs will be the 2010 recipient of the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist for the Charleston Region Award, as provided by the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

The citation will be presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals on National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 18 at the Charleston Marriot on Lockwood Blvd. with RiverDogs team president Mike Veeck accepting the award on the team’s behalf.

“We, at the RiverDogs, do things for the right reasons and our involvement in the local community is the right thing to do,” said RiverDogs general manager Dave Echols, who will be at the event. “We are constantly reminded by the first part of our name that Charleston as a community is important to us, and we keep that in the forefront of our minds every day. We’re active in the area for a multitude of reasons; the primary being that we are positioned to help and at the end of the day, we do.”

In their most recent issue, the Charleston Regional Business Journal cites the many involvements to the community that the RiverDogs involve themselves in throughout the calendar year. When not in season, the administrative staff closes the office for a day and, as a group, donates time and energy to a worthy cause, like Habitat for Humanity.

MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute is the RiverDogs’ primary charity, due in part to Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, suffering from a retinitis pigmentosa, a visionary disorder that left the personable teenager legally blind. However, not all of the club’s efforts are devoted toward fighting blindness.

The RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are deeply involved with the RBI Program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and the Boys & Girls Club by providing assistance with equipment and travel, while team members help with practices.

Additionally, the organization made a huge commitment to Charleston County Schools. They helped create a reading and fitness program for third graders, and participate in a sports and entertainment academy in the high schools to expose students to the business side of sports.

And during the season, each Monday night’s home game is appropriately billed as “Dogs with a Cause Night” and is devoted to a local non-profit organization as the group is positioned to share its mission with fans.

“The idea is that if you are interacting with the community and giving back, you will feel good, and in ways you are able to be an overall more well-rounded and happier person. And that will translate in the workplace,” Echols said.

“We let them choose what’s near and dear to their hearts,” he added. “We have 15-to-20 full-time staff, so that’s 15-to-20 different organizations that are receiving help from the RiverDogs.”

Fans share their valuable time during the season with the RiverDogs, so it is only fitting that the RiverDogs return that time in various charitable efforts to maximize the potential of community involvement.

And with the club’s “Be Your Own Fan” marketing initiative, the off-season contributions by the organization gives citizens another reason to be a RiverDogs fan.

Miracle Lend a Hand for Annual Helping Kids with Cancer Radio-thon

The Kids with Cancer radio-thon is an annual volunteer event for the Fort Myers Miracle. This year on October 15th the Miracle staff answered phones to take donations for the local Children’s Hospital. This year the community donated $147,000 for Barbara’s Friends and their fight against children’s cancer at the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Barbara’s Friends serves as the Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund for The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Their Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Outpatient Center has helped over 3,000 children who have been diagnosed since they’ve opened. Most the families of the children being treated are without insurance, but are never turned away.

This annual Radio-thon is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Barbara’s Friends with all proceeds going to fund programs, equipment and the children’s medical care.

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

Loveable Mascot Lends A Paw for Worthy Fundraising Effort

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

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

The initial goal was $20,000.

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

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

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

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

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

Public Safety Agencies Educate at Coolray Field

Gwinnett County’s public safety agencies want residents to know what they do to keep the community safe.

The Gwinnett County Police Department and Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services joined together Saturday for the first Public Safety Fall Festival at Coolray Field, the home of the Gwinnett Braves.

The event featured dozens of displays and demonstrations from the police and fire departments, including specialized units like SWAT, Ground Search and Rescue, HazMat and Swift Water Rescue. Several other governmental and nonprofit agencies were also on hand to provide safety information.

“It has exceeded our expectations,” said Officer Jeffery Richter, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department. “This joint venture has gone off better than we could have ever hoped.”

Richter said the festival provided a stress-free, fun-filled environment for the community to interact with public safety officials.

Saturday’s event also served as a kickoff for National Fire Prevention Week and Fire Prevention Month in Gwinnett County, said Capt. Thomas Rutledge, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Fire Department.

“This is an opportunity to reach people we don’t normally interact with,” Rutledge said. “We want to let them know we’re here to protect them and help them protect themselves.”

Buford resident Kim Arakas and her family came to the festival to see the police and fire vehicles and learn about public safety.

“It was one of those free family events that looked like it would be educational for the kids,” she said. “We learned things as well.”

Haydee Nunez, who lives in Lawrenceville, brought her children and her nephew to the event because they are in Cub Scouts.

“It’s good for them to know about safety,” she said. “I thought it would be good awareness for the kids.”

This article by Heather Darenberg originally appeared in the Gwinnett Daily Post on October 2, 2010

Jonathan Phillips Dressed as a firefighter, Carter Bromley checks out one of the fire department’s ladder trucks during the Public Safety Fall Festival at Coolray Field on Saturday. The festival included demonstrations, safety information, softball games between the Gwinnett County fire and police departments and fun activities for children. (Staff Photo from Gwinnett Daily Post)

OceanFirst Donates $30k Through HRs for Heroes

OceanFirst Foundation donated $30,000 to local military-based charities in 2010 as part of the Home Runs for Heroes program with the BlueClaws.

Home Runs for Heroes, presented by OceanFirst Foundation, 92.7 WOBM and 1160 WOBM-AM, pairs nine military-based charities with positions on the field (including designated hitter, not including pitcher).

Every time a BlueClaws hit a home run at FirstEnergy Park, one of the nine charities received a donation from OceanFirst Foundation.

“When our young men and women leave to serve their country, they leave families behind here in the States. We support those organizations that help those families and we support those organizations that help our soldiers when they come home,” said OceanFirst Bank President Vito Nardelli.

Army Emergency Relief-Fort Dix led the way with $8,000, $7,000 of which came courtesy of home runs by BlueClaws first baseman Jonathan Singleton.

VETGROUP, which benefitted from five home runs by BlueClaws catcher Sebastian Valle, earned $6,000.

Below are the 2010 standings in full:

Organization Position Home Runs Total
Army Emergency Relief-Fort Dix 1B 8 $8,000
VETGROUP C 6 $6,000
American Red Cross RF 4 $4,000
Catholic Charities CF 3 $3,000
Navy/Marine Relief-Lakehurst LF 3 $3,000
NJ National Guard Family Readiness SS 2 $2,000
A.R.M.S DH 2 $2,000
Navy/Marine Relief-Earle 2B 1 $1,000
Army Emergency Relief-Fort Monmouth 3B 0 $1,000

Founded in 1996, OceanFirst Foundation is the first foundation in the country to be established by a bank as part of an initial public offering. OceanFirst’s contributions to local charities continue to grow. In 2009, OceanFirst Foundation donated more than $1.2 million to community initiatives. OceanFirst Foundation has contributed approximately $20 million to over 600 local charities in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties since its inception. Its four priorities include Housing, Health and Wellness, Improving the Quality of Life, and Youth Development. For more information, visit www.OceanFirstFdn.org.

OceanFirst Bank President Vito Nardell (center, with trophy) presents checks to recipients.

Kernels Continue to Help Flood Victims with Phase II

The Kernels Foundation presented a check to Amy Geiger and Board Members of the Cedar Rapids School Foundation on Thursday, September 9, 2010 prior to the Kernels playoff game against the Clinton Lumber Kings. The money was raised in part from a season-long 50/50 raffle at home Kernels games. The amount of $17,162 will be divided between six local schools affected by the 2008 flood, which include Jefferson, Harrison, Cleveland, Roosevelt, Metro, and Wilson. The monies will help provide equal opportunities to outdoor physical fitness activities and fitness programs to school children. The Foundation is committed to providing programs and introducing better life skills and leveling the playing field for the children in these neighborhoods as compared to the rest of the city. This year’s project was phase II in the Foundation’s efforts to continue to help the flood victims in Cedar Rapids.

The Kernels Foundation phase I project included building two new baseball fields and renovating a third that was damaged by flood waters. The Kernels Foundation, Minor League Baseball Charities, Baseball Tomorrow Fund, the City of Cedar Rapids, and others raised $170,000 in 2009 for the project. Because of the new playing fields, we were able to offer a free program to at-risk kids this summer. Seventy-five children were able to play baseball two nights a week at the Jones Park Complex for free, including the use of equipment and uniforms.

The Kernels Foundation presented a check to Amy Geiger and Board Members of the Cedar Rapids School Foundation on Thursday, September 9.

CarePro, the Kernels, and AEGON raise nearly $10,000 for community betterment

For the 3rd consecutive season, the Kernels teamed up with CarePro Health Services in providing a huge lift to Horizons “Meals on Wheels” by donating $5.00 to purchase a plate of hot, nutritious food for “Meals on Wheels” recipients for every run the Kernels plate in the 2010 season. The Kernels high powered offense, led the Midwest League in runs “plated” with 745 runs this season. At $5.00 per run “plated” by CarePro Health Services in their 3rd Annual “Plating for Plates” Campaign, CarePro Health Services Chief Financial Officer Gary Kaufman presented Horizons “Meals on Wheels” $3,725 on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium before the Kernels game on Saturday Night, August 21st. The $3,725 contribution from CarePro Health Services to Horizons “Meals on Wheels” provided the area community home bound citizens who rely on “Meals on Wheels” for their sustenance with 745 additional plates of hot nutritious food!

AEGON’s “K’s for Kids First” initial campaign was a success as it ran through the 2010 baseball season. AEGON is one of the world’s largest providers of life insurance, pensions and long-term savings and investment products. For every strikeout (K) that Cedar Rapids Kernels pitchers recorded, AEGON donated $5 to Kids First, a law center that gives children a voice in divorce and custody conflicts by providing legal representation and services for them. AEGON presented a check for $5,580 to Kids First on Wednesday, September 1 for the 1,116 strikeouts the Kernels pitchers recorded for the remainder of the season.

Kernels mascot Mr. Shucks and AEGON officials present a check to Kids First on September 1, 2010.

Kernels Complete 12th Year of Summer Reading Program

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

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

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

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