Cougars Donate Foundation Funds to Benefit Local Community Programs

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced the three local organizations that will be receiving a monetary donation on behalf of the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. Focusing on the three pillars and areas of need in which the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation was built on, the Cougars will be donating to organizations involving children’s programs, homelessness and indigent healthcare.

“The Cougars would like to thank the Arizona Diamondbacks for their generosity,” said owner Cheryl Froehlich. “As we continue to grow our charitable initiatives through the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. we are constantly looking for additional areas where we can make a difference. This donation from the D-backs will enable us to expand our community service programs.”

In the area of children’s programs, the Cougars will be making a contribution to the Kane Excellence in Education Partnership (KEEP). The KEEP program supports and assists the academic and social emotional needs of children throughout the Kane County area. Through collaborations with districts, businesses, government agencies and education organizations, KEEP provides scholarships, educational activities, at-risk programming and necessary educational services to schools in Kane County.

To assist homeless families in the area, the Cougars will make a donation to Bridge Communities located in Glen Ellyn, Ill. The mission of Bridge Communities is to help transition homeless families into a life of self-sufficiency by providing mentoring, housing and supportive services.

Community Nurse Health Center, in LaGrange, Ill. will be receiving the final portion of the donation to help assist the healthcare needs of the local community. Since 1921, Community Nurse Health Center has served residents of the western suburbs by providing direct medical and dental care as well as health education including medical preventive services, chronic disease management, acute illness services, prenatal case management and oral health treatments for low income children and adults.

“The Kane County Cougars are a true asset to their community and share similar values to us at the Arizona Diamondbacks,” said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall. “We are extremely proud of their efforts and know that initiatives such as this help teach young players the importance of giving back. In doing so, it is our hope that when they do reach the Major Leagues, their approach is aligned with ours. We applaud the efforts of Dr. Bob and Cheryl Froehlich as well as the entire Cougars front office.”

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

***

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

Cougars and Mueller Team Up to Provide Memorial Scholarship Fund

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars and Mueller: Certified Public Accountants have announced a new scholarship that will benefit deserving accounting college students in honor of Al Mueller, founding partner of the accounting firm Mueller & Co., LLP now known as Mueller.

Alfred “Al” E. Mueller passed away last March, but left a lasting legacy for his employees, clients and the local community through his many civic and philanthropic endeavors.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Kane County Cougars organization to launch the Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund,” said David J. Nissen Managing Partner at Mueller. “Al would have been pleased to hear of these efforts to support and encourage students to pursue their education in the field of accounting and would be so honored to hear that the scholarship was in his name.”

The Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide five scholarships to deserving accounting college students at Mueller. Each of the honored students will receive $1000 towards their education.

“Mueller has been a tremendous supporter of the Kane County Cougars organization,” said owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the continued education of these hardworking students in honor of our dear friend Al Mueller.”

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date information on tickets and promotions.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

***

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

Chasers Charities Awarding 10th Annual Jackie Robinson Scholarships

Chasers Charities, the charitable arm of the Omaha Storm Chasers, is proud to announce the tenth annual Jackie Robinson Athletic Scholarship contest presented by The Weitz Company. The program honors two local African-American students in an effort to commemorate the baseball legend that broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

One male and one female student in the Omaha area will be awarded a $1,000 dollar scholarship from Chasers Charities. Each student will be chosen based upon their work in the classroom, involvement within the community, athletic achievement and other qualities.

“We remain committed in continuing the legacy of Jackie Robinson by offering these scholarships for the tenth year, and we are thankful to The Weitz Company for their partnership in 2017,” said Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. “Every year we receive many deserving applications, and we expect this year to be no different.”

Interested applicants must submit their application by March 24, and the winners honored at the Storm Chasers’ contest on April 15. To be eligible for the Jackie Robinson Athletic Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

  • United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Resident of Sarpy, Douglas, Cass, Lancaster or Pottawattamie County
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • African-American (male or female), and a high school student participating in athletics
  • High school senior or graduate planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited postsecondary institution

More information on the application process for the Jackie Robinson Scholarship can be found online by clicking here. Completed applications should be sent by March 24, 2017 to:

Chasers Charities
c/o Omaha Storm Chasers
Attn: Becki Frishman
12356 Ballpark Way
Papillion, NE 68046
BeckiF@omahastormchasers.com
(402) 738-2181

About Chasers Charities. Created in 2010, the mission of Chasers Charities is to support the community through charitable contributions that benefit sports and recreational activities with a focus on youth. The foundation accomplishes this mission through financial donations, as well as in-kind support, including memorabilia, tickets and publicity.

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

Canadians Scholarship to Change Lives

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, B.C.) – The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club held its 7th Annual Scotiabank Hot Stove Luncheon on Friday, January 20th, 2017 at the Hotel Vancouver and amidst the festivities came a gesture that still has Vancouver’s philanthropic community buzzing.

As the Canadians held court with Toronto Blue Jays special guests Paul Beeston (President Emeritus), Joe Biagini (Player) and Charlie Wilson (Director, Minor League Operations), Canadians partner Jeff Mooney took to the stage and shortly after giving a powerful speech about the bright future of children from within our Foundation, stepped forward and along with his wife Suzanne Bolton generously announced the creation of a new scholarship fund in the amount of $75,000.00.

The amount goes directly to The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast B.C. to be allocated for five (5), $15,000 educational scholarships awarded to children who showcase a desire to excel in the classroom, on the field and/or in the community.

The scholarship program is offered to children who are a member of The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast B.C., participate in the Vancouver Canadians Youth Baseball League and apply successfully for the scholarship, selected by a panel of Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club staff, The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast B.C. staff and an independent panel.

The vision is that these children who are just starting out in life see the opportunity that has been presented by this new program and work harder than ever before to reach for the stars and become exactly what the dream of becoming.

The Vancouver Canadians Youth Baseball League will welcome it’s 1,500th children onto the hallowed grounds at Scotiabank Field this coming summer.

To learn more about the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, click here.

-30-

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

Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. Releases Annual Report

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. is pleased to share the second Annual Report to the Community detailing the charitable outreach completed in 2016. The report lists the extensive accomplishments of the foundation and the many notable programs coordinated by the Cougars.

The 50/50 Raffle and the Acres Group Pitch-In for Charity are two in-game programs which a portion of the proceeds benefit specific charities selected by the Kane County Cougars Foundation. In 2016 these two programs generated over $27,000 to support local causes including Anderson Animal Shelter, Hesed House, People’s Resource Center-DuPage County, West Suburban Community Pantry, Rush-Copley Foundation and YWCA Victims Support Services of Naperville.

A new charitable contribution for the 2016 season included the Paramount Fence Home Run for Charity. For every home run that was hit by a Cougars player at home, Paramount Fence made a donation to Emmanuel House in Aurora which was then matched by the Cougars organization, raising a total of $1,900.

Ozzie’s Home Run and Walk 5K generated funds for the Ozzie’s Scholars program, which awarded $3,000 in scholarships to local students as well as the Waubonsee Community College Foundation. The Cougars Legacy Brick Program shares proceeds with the Wounded Warrior Project and the Kane County Cougars Foundation was pleased to present them with over $1,900 in 2016.

Each year the Cougars Reading Program encourages over 140,000 local area students to meet reading goals with incentives such as game tickets, food vouchers and a drawstring backpack. In-kind donations for Ozzie’s Reading Club totaled $562,207 last year.

Through a variety of military organizations including the Illinois National Guard, Operation Support Our Troops, Rolling Thunder Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans and the Veteran Tickets Foundation, the Kane County Cougars Foundation presented in-kind donations for Military Recognition totaling $14,689 in 2016.

Various other in-kind donations, community appearances, high school seminars, clinics, events and the Cougars on-going commitment to the senior citizen community added to the overwhelming donation total that the Kane County Cougars Foundation was able to provide in support of organizations across Kane County and the surrounding area. The Cougars hope to continue this outreach and remain active in giving back to its supporters and community members.

“As recipients of the prestigious Kane County ‘Sparkler Award’ which recognizes commitment to charitable work in the surrounding community, it’s important to us as an organization that we continue to find new ways to give back to the local organizations that help our community day in and day out,” said Cougars owner, Cheryl Froehlich.

“We are proud to once again share this information with our local community,” added Cougars owner, Dr. Bob Froehlich. “We are humbled by the generosity that has allowed us to support these initiatives and look forward to continuing our charitable outreach in the coming season.”

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 151 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

***

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

NEST, Chasers Present Annual Essay Contest

The Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) and the Omaha Storm Chasers have officially begun the 15th annual “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest, as announced by Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg.

Seventh and eighth grade students from around the country may submit their entries leading up to the March 17 deadline. Essays must be 750 words or less, describing the student’s educational goals and dreams for the future. Entries are required to be typed and double-spaced on 8 1/2 by 11″ paper and must be the student’s original work. Each essay must also be accompanied with the required cover sheet, which can be found by clicking here.

Faculty and students in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska Omaha will serve as preliminary judges for the contest, with Treasurer Stenberg making the final selections. Winners will receive prizes ranging from $500 to $2,000 toward a NEST College Savings Plan. First, second and third place winners will be honored from each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts, in addition to out-of-state entries.

All winners hailing from the state of Nebraska will be notified in May and will also receive four box seat tickets to the Storm Chasers’ game on May 21 versus the Reno Aces, in addition to being recognized prior to that day’s contest for their achievements. Each winning student will also get an opportunity to meet Nebraska State Treasurer Stenberg during the visit.

Complete rules and information on the essay contest may be viewed by clicking here.

Entries must be postmarked by March 17 and sent to:

Omaha Storm Chasers

Attn: Becki Frishman

12356 Ballpark Way

Papillion, NE 68046

The Omaha Storm Chasers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at Werner Park in Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska. For more information please visit www.omahastormchasers.com and follow us on Twitter @OmaStormChasers and “like” us at www.facebook.com/omahastormchasers.

The Storm Chasers return to Werner Park for Opening Night 2017 on Tuesday, April 11.

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

2017 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship

Cedar Rapids, IA – Applications are being accepted through The Kernels Foundation for the sixth annual Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship.

Nick Adenhart was a bright young pitcher who played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2006, and was a rising star in the Los Angeles Angels organization. Only hours after Nick’s 2009 season debut on the mound for the Angels, a drunk driver tragically killed him on April 9, 2009 at age 22.

Nick’s family would like to honor him by awarding a $1,000 scholarship in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to administer the scholarship on behalf of Nick’s family.

The deadline for submitting applications for this scholarship is Friday, April 14, 2017. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior from an area high school and attend a two or four-year accredited college or university and take 12 or more hours per semester. The applicant must have played an organized sport in the last two years, must be a great teammate, must demonstrate hard work and determination, and must have a clear vision of their career goal.

Scholarship applications are available through area schools guidance offices, or may be downloaded by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Doug Nelson at 319-363-3887 or email at doug@kernels.com.

2017 season ticket packages and 10-game coupon books are on sale now at the stadium, or by calling the Kernels at (319) 363-3887. Individual game tickets go on sale Monday, March 13th at 10 AM. The Kernels open the 2017 Midwest League season at Beloit on Thursday, April 6th. The home season begins on Saturday, April 8th vs. Beloit at 5:05 PM.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. 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.

Sounds Announce 2017 Scholarship Program Details

For the second consecutive year, the Nashville Sounds Foundation will award four $2,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college in fall of 2017.

The program began in 2016 and is designed to help four deserving Nashville and Middle Tennessee students help pay for college tuition during their freshman year.

“Our community initiatives and being connected to the youth of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is a responsibility we take seriously,” said General Manager Adam Nuse. “The fundraising efforts throughout the 2016 season have allowed us to play a small role in fulfilling the dreams of these graduating seniors. Our fans play a huge role in this program and we are very thankful for their continued support.”

Interested seniors must complete the application process at www.nashvillesounds.com. The process includes submitting a two to three-page essay answering the following prompt: “Define what leadership means to you and how you have demonstrated leadership ability either in or outside of school. How will you continue to positively impact your community after graduation?”

In addition to the essay, each submission must include at least two letters of recommendation from teachers and/or coaches, and an official high school transcript. The scholarship will be awarded based on the culmination of the student’s school work, extracurricular activities and involvement in the community.

Each winner will receive tickets to a select Nashville Sounds game during the first homestand of the 2017 season and will be recognized during a pre-game ceremony. The deadline to considered for the 2017 scholarships is Friday, February 17, 2017.

Winners from 2016 include Alex Abernathy of Central Magnet High School (University of Tennessee), Arianna Hunter of Lead Academy High School (University of Memphis), Micah McDowell of Oakland High School (University of Kentucky) and Stuart Warner of Marshall County High School (University of Tennessee-Martin).

The 2017 season will be the Sounds’ 40th in franchise history and their third as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

About the Nashville Sounds Foundation:

The mission of the Nashville Sounds Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, is to positively impact the thriving Middle Tennessee community through various programs and initiatives. The Nashville Sounds Foundation supports programs that energize and influence youth through education, physical development and by maximizing community service.

The Nashville Sounds Foundation is funded through monetary donations, private entities, memorabilia auctions and in-game custom public address announcements.

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.

Legends’ donations for 2016 top $1,000,000

Big L and the Legends welcomed Girl Scouts to Whitaker Bank Ballpark for a campout May 6. More than 330 girls spent the night at the ballpark. The Girl Scouts were one of many organizations who received support from Legends’ community programs in 2016.

             (WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) The Lexington Legends made donations totaling $1,000,763 in 2016 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving central Kentucky.

In its 16-year history, the Legends organization has donated close to $15 million to the region.

“The Legends are proud to be part of this community and region,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. “We will continue to provide support to these great organizations that do so much good work.”

Among the organizations and causes who benefited from events and programs in 2016 were:

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts:  Overnight campouts for Boy Scouts (August 18) and Girl Scouts (May 6) were held following Legends games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The scouts sold nearly 1,000 donated game tickets to raise funds for their organizations. About 700 scouts participated in the campouts.

                Breast Cancer Research and Awareness: The Legends held Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on July 9. Funds raised through an auction of pink jerseys and pink bases used during the Legends game that night, along with t-shirt sales, benefited Kentucky Cancer Link, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis and treatment; The Markey Cancer Center, established in 1983 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. The Legends and LBX held a celebration lunch, with proceeds going to those same three organizations.

                Military Appreciation Night: The Legends’ Military Appreciation night was held on June 25. It included an auction of jerseys to benefit Military Missions, a local non-profit organization that supports troops in a variety of ways, including the sending of care packages with personal items and snacks to military personnel.

                Bark in the Park: The Legends held 12 “Bark in the Park” nights during the 2016 season. Dog owners were invited to bring their dogs to the game, and a two-dollar “admission” charge for each dog was donated to the Scott County Humane Society.

Guns and Hoses Softball Game:  The Legends provide the setting for the Guns and Hoses game, which matches the Lexington Police Department against the Lexington Fire Department in a softball game and home run derby. The winning team takes home a trophy, and the loser receives a toilet seat as the runner-up prize. More than 2,000 people attended the 2016 game.

Community Organization of the Night:  The Legends provide an opportunity for a local non-profit organization to step into the spotlight at a Legends home game. Organizations may set up an information table on the concourse, and a representative is interviewed on the field before the game and on radio during the game.    Organizations who purchased discounted tickets for re-sale as a fundraiser also received 25% of the proceeds from that night’s 50-50 raffle. (The Legends Charitable Fund also received 25%, and the fan holding the winning ticket received 50%.)

                Hit the Books Reading Program: Geared toward elementary schools, the Legends’ Hit the Books Reading Program is designed to encourage students to read, both in school and away from school.    The Legends gave away 33,000 Hit the Books bookmarks to students in central Kentucky in 2016. (A winning bookmark design is selected from students’ entries.) Those who complete the Hit the Books reading program are awarded two tickets to a Legends home game.

Field of Dreams: The Paul Miller Ford Field of Dreams program allows youth baseball and softball players to be part of pre-game festivities. Members of the youth teams are introduced to the fans and take the field along with the Legends starters. Teams are selected at random from registrations received at Field of Dreams sponsor locations.   Team members receive complimentary admission to the game. The Legends hosted 80 Field of Dreams teams in 2016.

           Legends Character Award at William Wells Brown Elementary:   Every nine weeks during the school year, 19 students from William Wells Brown Elementary School in Lexington are selected to receive the Legends Character Award. The award is designed to motivate students to demonstrate good behavior and a great attitude. The students are nominated by their classroom teachers. Winners are publicly recognized and personally congratulated by the Legends’ Big L.

Kids Area:   At every Legends home game in 2016, Lafayette High School cheerleaders volunteered to work in the Aetna Kids Play Area to raise money for their cheer program. The Legends made a $7,500 donation to the program.

Go Red Night: The American Heart Association and St. Joseph Health Care System sponsored a “Go Red” Night June 3 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, where fans received information on the dangers and risks of heart disease. Free blood pressure checks and presentations of information were provided throughout the game.

Donation requests:  The Legends donate tickets, memorabilia or merchandise to as many organizations as possible. Tickets are used by members of the non-profit organizations or for auctions to raise funds for those organizations. The Legends fulfilled more than 300 donation requests in 2016.

  United Way of the Bluegrass:  Donors to the annual United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game. In 2016, the Legends donated 23,333 tickets for use by the United Way.

St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program: At the end of every baseball season, the Legends hold a silent auction for the jerseys worn by the players during home games. Proceeds go to the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program.

                Fundraising tickets:   The Legends offer schools, teams and other organizations an opportunity to buy tickets at a discounted price and raise funds by selling the tickets at the regular price. More than 5,000 tickets were purchased at the discount rate for fundraising in 2016.

For more information on the Legends’ community programs, contact Sarah Bosso at 859-422-7847 or sbosso@lexingtonlegends.com

###

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

Legends sponsor KSU students at winter meetings

                For the second consecutive year, the Lexington Legends are sponsoring a group of Kentucky State University students who will attend a job fair and seminars at professional baseball’s winter meetings.

Interested students had submitted applications for consideration.

The meetings began Sunday, and will continue through December 8 in National Harbor, Maryland. The winter meetings are an annual gathering of major league and minor league baseball personnel.   Some of major league baseball’s biggest player trades and free agent signings occur at winter meetings, but much of the agenda at the minor league level concerns the off-the-field business of professional baseball. The job fair, which the KSU students will attend, provides connections and opportunities for those who would like to work in baseball in a variety of areas, including promotions, ticket sales, community relations, media relations, broadcasting and others.

The students will also have an opportunity to attend any of the Bob Freitas seminars and workshops, which have been part of the winter meetings for more than 20 years and cover a wide range of baseball business topics.

“The Legends are pleased to partner with KSU again this year,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. “We appreciate the students’ interest, and we think they will really enjoy the opportunity to learn first-hand from experts about a variety of careers in baseball.”

In addition to entry fees, the Legends are supporting the students through payment of hotel expenses and a one-year subscription to PBEO.com (Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities), the official employment service of minor league baseball.

The KSU students who are attending the meetings are Alea Cardenas, Jade Luckey, Makalah Kirkland, Joshua Dunn, Stephen Ferrell, Chae Butler, Cheryll Eskridge and James Stinson. Luckey, Dunn, Kirkland and Ferrell also attended the meetings in 2015.

The students are being accompanied by KSU officials, including head baseball coach Rob Henry.

###

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

St. Ambrose joins Bandit Scholars Program

DAVENPORT, IOWA – The Quad Cities River Bandits announce that a St. Ambrose University student from the Quad Cities region will be awarded the third yearly scholarship as part of the Bandit Scholars Program, expanding the largest scholarship program in all of Minor League Baseball. The inaugural St. Ambrose scholarship will be awarded to a rising junior during the 2017 River Bandits season and helps to ensure that neither the recipient nor their family has any financial obligations for tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year. River Bandits owner Dave Heller and Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, PhD, president of St. Ambrose, made the announcement at a press conference Monday at Modern Woodmen Park.

St. Ambrose joins Augustana College and Western Illinois University as the third participating school in the annual scholarship program for students from the Quad Cities region. This is the second consecutive year the River Bandits have added a scholarship to the Bandit Scholars Program, which was founded in 2009. With the addition of St. Ambrose, the Bandit Scholars Program now has an annual combined value of $60,000 for three scholarship recipients who also will earn the opportunity to work a paid internship with the River Bandits the following summer.

“Giving away these scholarships is the single most enjoyable thing I do as owner of the River Bandits,” said Heller. “This scholarship program is meant to enhance the Quad Cities, and St. Ambrose is one of the finest educational institutions in Iowa. They epitomize all that is great about our community and our region, and we are elated to team with them to provide a first-rate college education to a deserving area student and reward someone who has a demonstrated commitment not merely of academic excellence but also of giving back to this wonderful community.”

“St. Ambrose University is pleased to collaborate with the Quad Cities River Bandits organization as the newest member of the Bandit Scholars program,” Sr. Lescinski said. “Scholarships help many of our students to afford a quality education. In addition, St. Ambrose has had great success with outreach to community employers in developing paid internship opportunities. This new initiative with the River Bandits will help SAU students gain invaluable insights into minor league baseball operations.

“This partnership is another example of our commitment to collaborating with local businesses and corporations to make the Quad Cities an even better place to live and work.”

The new Bandit Scholarship will be administered by St. Ambrose. The award will be selected by a committee including St. Ambrose faculty and administration and the River Bandits’ ownership and general manager. Funds for the program are raised through various events throughout the year, including the Race to Home 5K, annual golf outing and more. Donations can be made to the Bandit Scholars Program year-round by mail or in person at Modern Woodmen Park.

The scholarships are open to current rising juniors who reside in any of the following counties: Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside Counties on the Illinois side, and Cedar, Muscatine and Scott Counties on the Iowa side. Non-U.S. citizens and children or grandchildren of employees or owners of The Quad Cities River Bandits, employees of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL), employees or Board Members of St. Ambrose University, Augustana College, Western Illinois University and any member of the Scholarship Committee are ineligible for consideration.

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

BlueClaws Charities Completes Grant Program With Grants to 35 Local Partner Organizations

LAKEWOOD, NJ – BlueClaws Charities, the official 501c3 organization of the Lakewood BlueClaws, handed out grants to 35 partner organizations as part of their 8th annual grant distribution.

BlueClaws Charities Community Partner organizations, all 501c3s that work with the BlueClaws throughout the year, were eligible to apply for a grant and all organizations that applied for a grant received one.

Each applicant was asked to detail a specific use for the grant, with the requirement that all money received from BlueClaws Charities stays in Ocean & Monmouth Counties. A complete list can be found below.

“BlueClaws Charities is excited to support such a wide variety of outstanding, local, non-profit organizations,” said Jim DeAngelis, BlueClaws Charities Executive Director. “These organizations are on the ground working with the underserved in our communities, doing spectacular work. It is an honor for BlueClaws Charities to be able to assist.”

BlueClaws Charities, a registered 501c3 organization, raises money at all 70 BlueClaws home games. A 50/50 raffle, special jersey auctions, and miscellaneous programs are used to raise money during games. The annual “Phillies Winter Banquet,” “ALS Celebrity Waiter Event,” “Bowling With the BlueClaws,” and the “BlueClaws Charities Nine & Dine Golf Outing” are additional fundraising initiatives conducted by BlueClaws Charities.

“Our fans and donors have been tremendously supportive of BlueClaws Charities over the years, and this year was no exception,” said DeAngelis. “We look forward to another successful season in 2017!”

Below, find a list of organizations and programs supported through the annual BlueClaws Charities grant program:

  • ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia – For patient care services to help the 50 ALS patient families living in Monmouth & Ocean Counties.
  • American Heart Association – For their Heart Walk, a community event that encourages physical activity to help lower risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
  • Arc of Ocean County – For their mission of helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities be accepted and valued as citizens of the community.
  • Ashley Lauren Foundation – For assisting children with cancer and their families through direct financial assistance.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County – For providing group mentoring activities to children on their waiting list of 180 children, enabling them to be involved with the agency.
  • Boot Campaign – For raising awareness and assistance for military families and personnel especially relating to the unique challenges they face during and post-service.
  • Caregiver Volunteers – For defraying the cost of criminal background checks completed on volunteers prior to assignments.
  • Cheer Dream Scoliosis Foundation – For assisting children with medical needs in their facility.
  • Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation – For improving the quality of life for children and adults affected by the diseases.
  • Daniela’s Wish – For granting wishes to sick children in the community.
  • Dottie’s House – For providing safe housing for women and their children through a program that empowers them to become self-sufficient and free from violence.
  • Easter Seals New Jersey – For installing a new ram and deck to an existing residential home for Easter Seals program participants.
  • Exit 82 Theatre Company – For funding their 2017 production season with selected shows.
  • Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund – For providing scholarships for Brick Township High Schools.
  • Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore – For supporting their summer outreach initiative Girls Are Great, which sends underserved girls to camp.
  • Go4TheGoal – For helping kids with cancer in the program achieve their goals.
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network – For supporting their mission of providing emergency shelter and other urgently needed services to a growing number of homeless families in Ocean County.
  • Kids Need More – For enhancing the lives of children, families, and young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illness.
  • LADACIN Network – For enhancing the program offerings at their Adult Day Habilitation program with a new horticulture gardening and farming experience.
  • Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund – For aiding their mission of aiding and assisting our wounded warriors and their families.
  • Mary’s Place By the Sea – For supporting the oncology massage program for women with cancer.
  • NJ Tears Foundation – For promoting pregnancy and infant loss awareness and support in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
  • Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity – For assisting in building a home for a single mother and two children in Ocean County.
  • Ocean County Family Support Organization – For assisting in their spring camping trip for youth partnership.
  • Ocean Partnership for Children – For assisting needy youth families during the holiday season.
  • Ocean County Shrine Club – For the Shriners Hospital’s Surgical Navigation System for Children’s Spine Injuries.
  • Ocean County YMCA – For helping kids, families, and seniors in the community find the assets they need in YMCA programs and memberships regardless of incomes and backgrounds.
  • Ocean’s Harbor House – For supplementing the salary of a Life Skills counselor working with homeless youths in their Transitional Living Program.
  • Opportunity Knocks – For assisting in long-term community placement of the disabled.
  • Parents of Autistic Children – For providing a challenger sports league designed to offer a socialization opportunity for disabled students and developing peers in Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
  • Piece of the Puzzle – For technology to help students with autism learn and practice vocational skills.
  • Raising Hope for Others – For assisting the organization with financial costs for organizing and running their major fundraising events.
  • Salvation Army – For funding their feeding program for local underserved.
  • St. Vincent DePaul Society – For helping to fund temporary sheltering of local homeless.
  • United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties – For acquiring hats, coats, gloves, and scarves to help keep children warm this winter.

BlueClaws Charities, in addition to the grant program, supports hundreds of non-profit organizations with gift package donations, golf outing hole-in-one sponsorships, and specialty organizations such as OCEAN, Inc., a federal program that assists the less fortunate in the community. The “Tickets for Kids Program,” another BlueClaws Charities initiative, donates over 2,000 tickets to under-served youths in Lakewood and elsewhere in Ocean County.

Organizations that would like to become Community Partners can call Jim DeAngelis at 732-901-7000 ext 114. Community Partners raise money through a BlueClaws fundraiser outing and have the opportunity to volunteer in the FirstEnergy Park concession stands to raise additional funds. These organizations also receive exposure through on-field presentations, table displays, and on BlueClaws.com, plus they have special opportunities to hold events, such as charity walks, at FirstEnergy Park.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in each year of existence and will reach the 7-million fan plateau in 2017.

– BlueClaws Charities –

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

New PawSox Scholars Program to Provide College Scholarships to Area Middle Schoolers

educ

Representative Carlos Tobon (State Representative for Pawtucket’s District 58), Mayor James Diossa (Mayor of Central Falls), Ethan Hoke (PawSox Scholar from Central Falls), Dr. Charles Steinberg (PawSox President), Charlisa Kollie (PawSox Scholar from Pawtucket), Mayor Don Grebien (Mayor of Pawtucket), and Representative Jean Philippe Barros (State Representative for Pawtucket’s District 59).

PAWTUCKET, RI – The Pawtucket Red Sox and the PawSox/Skeffington Charitable Foundation today announced the creation of the PawSox Scholars program, in which two middle school students each receive college scholarships of $10,000 from the PawSox/Skeffington Charitable Foundation. The funds will be paid directly to the colleges of their choice for tuition and books upon matriculation.

The children include one from Pawtucket and one from neighboring Central Falls.

Charlisa Kollie, 13, an 8th-grader at Pawtucket’s Samuel Slater Junior High School, and Ethan Hoke, 14, an 8th-grader at Central Falls’ Dr. Earl Calcutt Middle School, were selected from among 196 applications. The two school systems oversaw the administration of the application process.

“The PawSox Scholars program funds the dream of college,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg, who made the announcement. “We know that children face destructive temptations in adolescent life, and we hope that the PawSox Scholars program is an incentive to stay the straight and narrow in both scholastics and citizenship.”

The Pawtucket and Central Falls school systems invited eighth graders to submit applications, including essays. School administrators narrowed the field, and PawSox officials selected the two winners from among the finalists.

“We all know that children are the heartbeat of our community, and that education is the equalizer,” said Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien. “We are grateful to the PawSox Foundation for providing this opportunity of a college education, and for being such a generous community partner.”

“We are so proud of Charlisa Kollie and all of our Pawtucket students,” said Pawtucket Superintendent Patti DiCenso. “This program can dramatically change the lives of our children. It provides hope-an essential element of a child’s education.”

“All of us in Central Falls owe a debt of gratitude to the PawSox Foundation,” said Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “This scholarship not only sends a message to Ethan Hoke, it sends a message to all of the children of our community. It says, ‘We believe in you, we support you, and we will do whatever we can to ensure that you acquire a great college education.'”

“Ethan wrote a beautiful essay about his love of Central Falls,” said Central Falls Superintendent Victor Capellan. “At his young age, he demonstrated the wisdom that one good deed begets another. It was touching and inspiring to read his thoughtful words.”

“Only through partnership can an innovative program come to fruition,” Steinberg said. “We thank Mayor Grebien and Mayor Diossa, as well as the School Boards and Superintendents for their extraordinary spirit of cooperation.”

PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino and Steinberg led the creation of similar programs in San Diego (Padres Scholars) and Boston (Red Sox Scholars). In 2011, the Red Sox Scholars program was Major League Baseball’s first-ever recipient of the Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.

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