South Carolina – Page 19

RiverDogs Team with MiLB, Big Brothers Big Sisters for Special Night at Riley Park

April 25, 2014

Club Joins MiLB’s “Winning with Doubles” Fundraising Campaign for BBBS on May 16

General Manager Dave Echols has announced that the Charleston RiverDogs will be participating in Minor League Baseball’s “Winning with Doubles” fundraising campaign to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center.

Fans can participate by visiting the “Winning with Doubles” site (www.MiLB.com/give), select the Charleston RiverDogs as their team, and pledge the amount they would like to donate for each double hit by a RiverDogs player in April and May.

Bigs and Littles will be attending the RiverDogs game on Friday, May 16, against the Hickory Crawdads. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm.

The RiverDogs plan to have the Bigs and Littles stand on the field with players and coaches before the game and will donate items for a BBBS raffle. One lucky Little will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Another opportunity for fan participation will be at the May 16 game when fans can purchase tickets for the BBBS raffle.

“We hope that by creating further awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center and the need for more caring adult mentors here in the Lowcountry, we will encourage people to become involved in the program by applying to volunteer as a Big,” said Echols, who is a longtime member of their board of directors.

For more information about BBBS, please contact Program Director Mandy Scherer at 843/266-5232 or at mtscherer@cydc.org or Louis Kines, AmeriCorps Vista at 843/266-5239 or at lkines@cydc.org.

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

Pelicans team up with HTC and Backpack Buddies

April 18, 2014

Partnership renewed to bring much-needed essentials to underprivileged youth

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are working with HTC for a second straight season to bring Backpack Buddies Monday to TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. The program invites fans to bring certain essentials to the ballpark for donation on Monday home games. Those donating will receive half-price admission on their Monday game ticket.

Starting in 2004, the Backpack Buddies program aims to provide schools with nutritious, child-friendly, self-serve food designed to put in a backpack and feed a child over the weekend. The program began with a pilot program of approximately 300 children. Now, a decade later, the program provides over 1,500 meals a week across Horry County.

The Pelicans are pleased to bring back the program after a successful first year with a valued partner in HTC. To participate, fans can bring the following items to Monday night home games for half-priced admission: powdered drink mix, Ramen Noodles, Pop Tarts, individual servings of pudding, individual servings of apple sauce, fruit cups, jelly (plastic container), peanut butter (small jars), Beanie Weenies, Vienna Sausage, canned meats, cereal, raviolis (pop-top cans), mac and cheese, snack crackers, chicken noodle soup (pop top cans), and unopened containers of mustard, ketchup, and mayo.

“The Help 4 Kids organization that runs Backpack Buddies is an incredible group and we’re honored to help them in their fight to ensure that the 2400+ local children have the food and nourishment the kids need,” remarked Pelicans Vice President and General Manager Andy Milovich. “Barb Mains and her staff give these kids a chance to succeed in the classroom and life. She’s a true hero and we’re fortunate to be in a position to assist her in helping kids throughout our community.”

In 2013 the Pelicans raised nearly $400,000 for various local charities. The Backpack Buddies program saw over $9,400 of those funds. This year the Pelicans have set a goal of raising $500,000 total for local charities and $10,000 for Backpack Buddies

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Click here to view the original story.

Drive to Celebrate Reading All-Stars on Tuesday

April 17, 2014

Accomplishments to be celebrated with entertainment and pregame parade

The Greenville Drive and Michelin, N.A. are thrilled to celebrate the Reading All-Stars of Greenville County elementary schools and all Pickens County schools before and during Tuesday night’s game against the Asheville Tourists at 7:05.

The Drive’s seventh annual reading incentive program is designed to encourage learning and education success through reading, and the program reaches over 75,000 students year-round. To honor these Reading All-Stars for their hard work this school year, they will take part in a pre-game “Parade of Champions” around Fluor Field at 6:30 that celebrates their success in the program, and will be recognized with a Drive/ Michelin Reading All-Stars t-shirt. During the game, five schools with continued success in the program will be inducted into the inaugural Reading All-Star Hall of Fame, and top performers for the school year will be recognized. In addition, students will participate in the in-game entertainment, including a tug-of-war, shoe scramble, sack race and more!

“We are extremely pleased with the continued success of the Reading All-Stars program,” commented Eric Jarinko, Drive General Manager. “Reading skills are extremely critical to a student’s ability to succeed and stay in school, and the Upstate community has really embraced this program as a way for students to stay engaged both during the school year and the summer. With three dates on tap this season, we are excited to celebrate the success of these Reading All-Stars at Fluor Field.”

For more information about the celebration game on Tuesday, click here.

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

Drive to Support Furman Baseball’s Vs. Cancer Initiative

April 4, 2014

Fans encouraged to donate as well

The Furman baseball program has raised over $30,000 in their annual initiative to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, and because Furman has been such a loyal partner to the Greenville Drive and play games at Fluor Field annually, the Drive are lending their support to the cause.

Because Furman reached $30,000 before their game at Fluor Field against South Carolina, Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko will participate in shaving his head with Furman’s players following the game, with Drive staff members taking turns shaving his head. Jarinko is also encouraging Drive staff members and fans to continue to donate money to Furman’s team.

“The Drive is pleased to contribute to Furman’s team as they continue to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer,” Jarinko said. “Furman is currently in first place out of 120 college baseball teams across the nation in the amount of money raised, but they are being chased closely by the University of Oklahoma. We hope additional donations from our staff and fans will help Furman reach their goal of being the top contributor in college baseball in the fight against pediatric cancer.”

“The Greenville Drive has always been supportive of Furman, our program and the Greenville community,” added Ron Smith, Furman’s Head Baseball Coach. “This is just another example of their extraordinary involvement that goes beyond the baseball field.”

In addition to being near the top of total money raised this season, Furman raised the most money of any college baseball program in 2013. Half of the money Furman raises benefits national childhood cancer research, and the other half goes towards a local children’s hospital.

To help donate to Furman’s team, log on to http://furman.vs-cancer.org/. Come out to Fluor Field on Tuesday night as the Paladins take on South Carolina at 7:00, and stick around after the game as Furman’s players, and potentially the Drive General Manager, shave their heads for pediatric cancer awareness.

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

TD Bank Signs on to Sponsor Pelicans Community Corner Program

April 1, 2014

Bank to donate nearly 1,000 tickets to non-profits

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (APRIL 2, 2014) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are pleased to announce that TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®, is partnering with The Myrtle Beach Pelicans to bring the TD Bank Community Corner program during the 2014 regular season.

For a third season, the Community Corner Program will provide nearly 1,000 tickets to local non-profit organizations in Horry and Georgetown counties. For 35 select games during the season, including Opening Night, a non-profit organization will receive 25 tickets as part of the new program.

The groups will enjoy a unique night out at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark with tickets in the reserved box seating area. The group will have the name of their organization appear on the video board during the game as well.

“TD Bank is thrilled to support the Community Corner Program and help bring the fun of Myrtle Beach Pelicans games to more area residents,” said Scott Sharp, TD Bank Regional Vice President, North Coast. “We feel it is important to invest in our communities, and Pelicans games are a great, family oriented way to spend a few hours together.”

Non-profits interested in joining the TD Bank Community Corner program are encouraged to contact Zach Brockman, Senior Director of Ticketing for the Pelicans, by telephone at (843) 918-6017 or by e-mail at ZBrockman@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

The Pelicans begin their season on April 3 when the Salem Red Sox visit TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets for the 2014 season are on sale now. For more information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2014, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth^®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD”. To learn more, visit www.td.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Click here to view the original story.

Spirit of Boston Run to be Held on Monday

March 31, 2014

Timed 5K will benefit City of Greenville Youth Baseball Program

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Drive, emediagroup, Caine Halter YMCA and Setup Events have combined forces to coordinate the Spirit of Boston Run, a timed 5K, on Monday, April 21^st. The 5K will begin at 5:30 PM, and the run leads into the Drive’s game against the Asheville Tourists at 7:05.

All funds raised will go to the City of Greenville Community Youth Baseball Program, which provides inner city children with an opportunity to play baseball in a structured program at their community park.

“We are thrilled to host the Spirit of Boston Run on April 21^st,” commented Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko. “With over $20,000 raised, last year’s Run for One event was a huge success in support of the events at last year’s Boston Marathon, and making this an annual event will be a great step as we continue our efforts to bring the Greenville community closer to the city of Boston.”

Jarinko continued, “We are proud of our affiliation with the Boston Red Sox, and the run will live up to its namesake by channeling the spirit of Boston on the same day as the Boston Marathon. That combined with all funds benefitting the City of Greenville’s Youth Baseball Program will make this an exciting day for everyone involved.”

Runners and walkers will start at the Caine Halter YMCA at 5:30pm. The course will wind its way through Cleveland Park from the YMCA and have its own version of Boston Marathon’s “Heartbreak Hill”. Runners and walkers will finish by entering Fluor Field, running by its own version of the iconic Green Monster, and crossing home plate while high-fiving players and coaches from the Drive.

“We believe that having Drive players and coaches greeting runners as they finish adds a nice touch to the event,” said Jarinko. “They have aspirations of playing or coaching in Boston one day, so they understand the significance of this event and how much the Red Sox organization means to Boston.”

The Drive collected new and lightly used equipment at the Hot Stove event in January, and partly because of the Drive’s efforts, the league is all set for play in 2014.

“Having the Greenville Drive as the Title Sponsor of the Community Youth Baseball Program has been a huge benefit as the program continues to grow,” said Dana Souza, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Greenville. “The Drive is such a positive force in the entire Upstate Region, and we are pleased that their generous support allows so many children to enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle through baseball.”

The Drive will provide all participants with a complimentary ticket to attend that evening’s game against the Tourists. Participants and fans will be given the opportunity to purchase t-shirts with the Spirit of Boston logo on them for just $10.

“emediagroup is thrilled to partner with the Greenville Drive and Setup Events on an event that will do so much good for the Greenville community now and in the coming years,” said Bill Bishop, co-owner of emediagroup.

“The Spirit of Boston Run is very important to the Drive organization with our ties to Boston,” added Drive Co-Owner and President Craig Brown. “We are pleased to channel the energy of the wonderfully lively city of Boston, and we are excited to make this inspiring event for a great cause an annual tradition here in Greenville.”

Registration and packet pickup for the race will begin at 4:30 PM. For more information, and to register before the day of the race, click here.

WHAT: Spirit of Boston Race

WHEN: Monday, April 21^st

WHERE: Fluor Field at the West End, Downtown Greenville

DETAILS:

-4:30 PM: Packet pickup/Registration

-5:30 PM: 5K begins

-7:05 PM: Greenville Drive vs. Asheville Tourists

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

Blood Drive Thursday at Fluor Field

March 28, 2014

Donors receive a t-shirt, 2 Drive tickets, a hot dog and a Pepsi

The Drive and The Blood Connection will team up for the first blood drive at Fluor Field of 2014 on Thursday, April 3rd. Those wishing to donate can come to the Field Street Gate between 11 AM to 7 PM.

Each donor will receive a commemorative t-shirt, a voucher good for two tickets to a 2014 Drive game at Fluor Field, a complimentary hot dog and a 12 ounce Pepsi product.

Donors must be at least 16 years of age.

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

Drive Partnering with Ronald McDonald House

March 28, 2014

One Night One Shirt campaign to help families in need

On Friday, May 9th, the Greenville Drive are partnering with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas for a fantastic cause, One Night One Shirt! That day has been designated by organizations across the Upstate as a casual day, and employees of these organizations who purchase a One Night One Shirt t-shirt for $13.00 will be able to wear the t-shirt to work, and in doing so, they will help sponsor a night at the Ronald McDonald House for a family in need.

In addition, employees who wear the t-shirt will receive a complimentary ticket to the Drive’s game that night at Fluor Field against the Greensboro Grasshoppers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

The deadline to order the T-shirts is Tuesday, April 1. For more information please contact Emily Muserallo at 864-272-0197 or by email, or visit the One Night One Shirt website.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive1. Click here to view the original story.

RiverDogs to Host 11th Annual “Run, Forrest, Run” 5K Race on April 19

February 28, 2014

Race Benefits MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute

CHARLESTON, SC – Fans of the Charleston RiverDogs may not be able to run forever like Forrest Gump, but they can lace up their running shoes and head to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park for the 11^th Annual “Run Forrest Run” 5K Race presented by Fleet Feet Sports on Saturday, April 19 at 4 pm before the RiverDogs game against the Rome Braves.

The course is TAC certified and features split times at each mile marker with chip timing for quick and accurate results.

Proceeds from the rain-or-shine event benefit the MUSC Storm Eye Institute.

“This race is fun for all ages and caters to every type of participant,” said RiverDogs Vice President of Special Events Melissa Azevedo. “Our 5K race begins in front of The Joe and finishes at home plate where runners are greeted by RiverDogs players and coaches.”

With the Cooper River Bridge Run just two weeks prior to April 19th, the top eight local finishers will be invited to participate in the Run Forrest Run 5K Race.

Pre-registration by April 17^th cost for the race is $30, and includes a race packet, T-shirt, one ticket to that evening’s RiverDogs game against the Rome Braves (6:05 pm first pitch), an in-game awards ceremony and a post-race party with dinner provided by Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Late registration and walk-up after April 17^th is $35. T-shirts are available while supplies last.

Additional game tickets are $7 each and can be purchased at packet pick-up.

Race packets may be picked up on Friday, April 18^th at Fleet Feet Sports in Mt. Pleasant from 12:00 noon until 6:00pm. On-site registration and packet pick-up on race day will open at 1:00pm at Joe Riley Park and close at 3:45pm before the 4:00 race begins.

Registration forms are available online at RileyParkEvents.com or active.com. For more information, please contact Kristen Wolfe at (843) 577-DOGS (3647).

–RIVERDOGS–

This article originally appeared on the official website of the 02/28/2014 9:35 AM ET. Click here to view the original story.

Embrace Hospice to Title Sponsor Military Appreciation Program

February 27, 2014

Florence-based Hospice Center to be featured during 11 Pelicans Games

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (FEBRUARY 27, 2014) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are pleased to announce that Embrace Hospice has signed on as the title sponsor for the Pelicans inaugural Military Appreciation program titled “Embrace Veterans.” Military Appreciation Night headlines the program on Friday, June 6, 2014 when the Pelicans host the Frederick Keys at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

Over 11 game dates during the season, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans will feature stories of WWII veterans as a part of a new program called Embrace Veterans, culminating in Military Appreciation Night, presented by Embrace Hospice, which falls on the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The program is working with several different veteran-related non-profit organizations in the Grand Strand to honor veterans who served during WWII.

In addition to their involvement in Military Appreciation Night, Embrace Hospice will be a partner for an additional ten game dates throughout the 2014 season. On each of these nights, the Pelicans will highlight veterans during the game at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. This will include a video tribute of select veterans, produced by The Center for Military and Veterans Studies at CCU and presented by Embrace Hospice. A representative from Embrace Hospice will throw out the first pitch alongside a local Grand Strand veteran as well. Information on Embrace Hospice will be available in the concourse for each of these games. The game dates for the Embrace Veterans program are as follows: April 19; May 3, 17, 31; June 6, 7, 21; July 12, 19; August 2, 30.

On Military Appreciation Night, the Pelicans will give away a Veteran Card Set, presented by Embrace Hospice, featuring a variety of veterans from the Grand Strand. The Embrace Hospice name and Embrace Veterans logo will appear on all promotional materials and event details for the night and will also be featured throughout TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Embrace Hospice will receive recognition on the Pelicans Radio Network, which can be heard locally on ESPN Myrtle Beach 1450 WRNN AM and globally on ESPNMyrtleBeach.com and TuneIn Radio, including an on-air, in-game interview highlighting their mission.

“We at Embrace Hospice are very proud to be partnering with the Pelicans in celebrating and honoring our veterans this year. [Many of us here are] veterans ourselves, so this has an extra special meaning to us and the many veterans we employ,” said Kevin McHugh, the CEO of Embrace Hospice. “Our veterans are one of this country’s greatest accomplishments. What they have done for our freedom makes going to a ballgame an everyday thing for Americans. We hope the community joins us this year at Pelicans ballgames to say thank you and to ‘Embrace a Veteran’.”

The Pelicans are currently accepting nominations of veterans to be featured on the video board and/or in the card set. To be highlighted on a particular game night with video board feature, the veteran must be a currently living veteran of WWII. Veterans of all U.S. conflicts, whether deceased or living, are eligible for the card set. The Pelicans will make selections for both the video tributes and the card set from the nominees; all decisions on these matters are final. To nominate a veteran, applications must be filled out and submitted to the Pelicans by e-mail to Katelyn Guild at KGuild@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, by mail to the Pelicans Front Office located at 1251 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, or in person at the same address, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Applications are available at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com or in person at the Pelicans Front Office.

The Pelicans begin their season on April 3rd when the Salem Red Sox visit TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets for the 2014 season are on sale now. For more information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2014, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Click here to view the original story.

Just Drive Campaign Aims to Keep Teens Safe

January 22, 2014

Just Drive, an initiative by the Greenville Drive and several community partners to curb teen texting and driving, launched Jan. 22.

Top, from left to right: Greenville Drive Executive Vice President Nate Lipscomb, Greenville County Schools spokesperson Oby Lyles, Eastside High School Principal Mike Thorne. Bottom, from left to right: Bradshaw Automotive GM Wes Bradshaw, Michelin Community Relations Director Leesa Owens, and Verizon Wireless District Manager Thomas Brown. (Richard Shiro)

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Drive has renewed its commitment to making Greenville County’s roads safer by educating teens about the dangers of texting and driving. The Drive – along with community partners Michelin, N.A., Verizon Wireless and Bradshaw Automotive – have launched the Just Drive campaign for the second straight year to encourage students at all Greenville County high schools to sign the pledge to not text and drive.

“We are thrilled to bring back our Just Drive campaign for the 2014 season,” said Drive President and Co-Owner Craig Brown. “Automobile accidents are the number one killer of teenagers across the United States, and the Drive wants to continue to encourage teenagers to focus solely on driving when they are behind the wheel. We are excited to work once again with the Greenville School District and our Just Drive sponsors to bring awareness to the Just Drive campaign.”

The 2014 Just Drive campaign was announced at a press conference on Wednesday at Eastside High School, where the Drive unveiled several upcoming activities to engage students. The press conference featured representatives from the Greenville Drive, Michelin, N.A., Verizon Wireless, Bradshaw Automotive and the principal and student from Eastside. Special guests included representatives from Greenville County Schools, the City of Greenville, the City of Greenville Youth Commission and students from Eastside High School.

The press conference highlighted the Drive’s primary objectives for the Just Drive campaign, including the announcement that students will participate in a creative challenge to design a t-shirt logo for the campaign. In addition, the Drive announced plans for an invitational baseball game at Fluor Field and a Celebration Game during the Drive’s upcoming 2014 season, both of which will be open to students who have made the pledge.

“A person who texts behind the wheel is 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision than someone who chooses to maintain their full attention on the road,” said Leesa Owens of Michelin, citing a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. “Michelin is glad to support the Greenville Drive in spreading this important message.”

“No text or email is worth the distraction behind the wheel,” said Jerry Fountain, Verizon’s President of the Carolinas/Tennessee Region. “Verizon is committed to partnering with community organizations that share our goal of ending distracted driving. We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe.”

“We encourage students, and drivers of all ages, to please pull off the roadway in a safe location if you must send or respond to a text or place a voice call when you are behind the wheel,” said Wes Bradshaw, General Manager of Bradshaw Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac of Greer.

Greenville Drive employees are teaming with volunteers from Verizon Wireless to speak to students during school lunch hours about the dangers of distracted driving, and to encourage them to avoid texting, talking on the phone, eating and other distracted behaviors that pulls attention away from safe driving. Students will be asked to sign a pledge as a promise to the community to not text while driving.

“The Just Drive campaign spreads a powerful message to our students about the responsibilities they have while behind the wheel,” said Oby Lyles, spokesperson for Greenville County Schools. “The Greenville Drive has assembled a terrific team of community advocates to connect and engage new drivers in this very important initiative.”

To sign the pledge to Just Drive, please visit facebook.com/justdrivepledge.

About The Drive

The Greenville Drive, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, just completed its 8th season at award-winning Fluor Field, located in Downtown Greenville. Since 2006, more than 400,000 fans a year have been welcomed to Fluor Field for both Drive games and additional community events. The Drive has received numerous awards, including Ballpark of the year in its Inaugural 2006 Season, the National Sports Forums Overall Award for Excellence for Sports Marketing in 2010 and 2011 and the prestigious Freitas Award in 2012, presented by Baseball Americaand given to an organization which exemplifies excellence in operations, franchise stability and community engagement. 31 Drive alumni have gone onto play at the Major League level, including Clay Buchholz, Xander Bogaerts, Brandon Workman, and Will Middlebrooks.

About Michelin, N.A.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin-us.com) employs more than 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE and 3G networks. The company serves 101.2 million retail customers, including 95.2 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 72,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

About Bradshaw Automotive Group

Bradshaw Automotive began in 1979, when William Bradshaw and his wife, Annette, purchased a small Oldsmobile/Cadillac Dealership in Greer, South Carolina. While the organization has grown considerably, it is still a family-run operation. William is active in the day-to-day operations of all of the dealerships and is now aided by his son, Wes Bradshaw, and his son-in-law, Bill Donovan. The growth and success of Bradshaw Automotive can best be explained by William’s philosophy of treating employees and customers like family, and always respecting their needs.

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

RiverDogs Donate $20,000 to MUSC Storm Eye Institute

August 11, 2013

The Charleston RiverDogs have yet again left a large paw print on the fight against blindness and retinitis pigmentosa.

During the Friday, August 9 contest against the Rome Braves at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols presented a check for $20,000 to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Storm Eye Institute and its director, Dr. Lucian Del Priore.

The donation comes from proceeds from the RiverDogs’ 14^th annual Kindness Beats Blindness Auction, the 10^th Annual “Run Forrest Run” 5K, the 9^th Annual Hot Stove Banquet and the 8^th Annual Golf Outing.

The Storm Eye Institute was selected as a result of RiverDogs President Mike Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration. Veeck and his wife, Libby, have dedicated themselves and most of their charitable efforts toward fighting blindness.

“To work hand-in-hand with the Charleston community for the Storm Eye Institute is something we, as an organization, really look forward to every year,” said Echols. “Seeing first-hand the effect this disease can have on a family adds a level of personality and affection to our fundraising efforts.”

“We are immensely grateful for the RiverDogs’ continued support in our quest to find cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa,” said Dr. Del Priore. “The RiverDogs’ extraordinary generosity over the last 14 years has been critical to the work that our vision scientists are doing in this area.”

With proceeds from the various RiverDogs special event projects, the team and the Charleston community as a whole have raised more than $500,000 towards preventative research for the degenerative disease.

For more information on the MUSC Storm Eye institute and their effort to battle RP and other degenerative retinal diseases visit www.muschealth.com/eyes.

This article originally appeared on the website of the Charleston RiverDogs. Click here for the original story.

Play4Health event slated for August 17

August 2, 2013

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will host a free event at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark on Saturday, August 17, prior to Myrtle Beach’s home game that evening against the Lynchburg Hillcats. The clinic will run from 8:30-11:30 am.

The clinic will be hosted by the Pelicans players and Play4Health, and those that participate will receive a free ticket to the game and family members will receive a discounted ticket offer. The Pelicans play the Hillcats later that night beginning at 6:05 p.m.

For more information, and to register, please log on to: https://wellness.sanofi.us/Play4Health.

Play4Health is a grassroots chronic disease prevention and wellness program designed to engage and educate kids, their parents and communities about obesity, its link to chronic disease and the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle. With the rise of childhood obesity, Play4Health is on a mission to change the way kids think and act about health and wellness.

Play4Health is an educational program that combines a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to “play” on a Minor League Baseball field through a day of fun fitness activities followed by a game.

Kids are assigned to an activity station that focuses on the “triple play” for prevention and wellness which includes exercise, nutrition and other healthy behaviors. Each participant will also receive a goody bag to take home along with a healthy snack.

The clinic’s primary instructor will be Rafy Oquendo, an expert in the health and wellness field.

The CEO of the All Star Training Center, Oquendo develops exercise and wellness programs that promote the well and healthy lifestyles of people of all ages. As the creator, spokesperson and health and wellness expert for the Play4Health initiative, Oquendo believes the right plan and tools, and a positive, confident outlook are critical to becoming healthier and more active. He combines the proven exercise science based training programs and methods he uses for professional athletes with his knowledge and experience to design exercise programs to help people at any fitness level to succeed. His philosophy is that fitness is a journey and not a destination.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Click here to view the original story.

Knights Announce 2013 HealthCare Scholarship Award Winners

July 25, 2013

The winners were honored at the July 19 game at Knights Stadium. (Audrey Stanek/Charlotte Knights)

(Fort Mill, SC) – The Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and Carolinas HealthCare System, are pleased to announce the names of the three winners of the 2013 Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship Program. The winners are John Dock Tallent, Gisele Bailey, and Stephanie Smith.

The scholarship program is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to the youth in our communities. A $1,000 scholarship has been awarded to the winners to assist them in future academic endeavors. Each of their names will be inscribed on a plaque that will be prominently displayed on the Carolinas HealthCare System Home Run Porch at BB&T Ballpark.

“We are proud to announce such accomplished winners for our first scholarship,” said Knights Vice President of Sales Chris Semmens. “We feel these recipients closely represent the values and mission of the Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System. We look forward to hearing about their future achievements and wish them luck in all their endeavors.”

Brief information about the 2013 Charlotte Knights HealthCare Scholarship Program recipients:

• John Dock Tallent – Tallent graduated from West Lincoln High School and was ranked #1 in his class. He played varsity golf and was the student body president. Tallent will attend Appalachian State University this fall to pursue a degree in the medical field. John hopes to one day become a doctor.

• Gisele Bailey – Bailey is a recent graduate of Charlotte Christian High, where she held a 4.9 GPA this year. Also an athlete, Bailey was a varsity basketball player who ranked 27th at her position nationally by ESPN. She is heading to Harvard this fall and will be a member of the Crimson Women’s Basketball team.

• Stephanie Smith – Smith is a recent graduate of Lake Norman High School. Last summer Stephanie performed research at Davidson College laboratories. She will be attending UNC-Chapel Hill this fall and hopes to become a neurosurgeon. She plans to focus on biomedical engineering, with an emphasis on neuroscience.

The three winners were recently honored at the Charlotte Knights game on Friday, July 19 during a special pre-game on-field ceremony. Dr. Michael Gibbs, Chair of Emergency Medicine, was on hand to present the award to the recipients.

High school seniors enrolled in one of the following North or South Carolina counties: Cabarrus, Catawba, Chester, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lancaster, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union, or York County, are eligible for the 2014 Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship Program. Applicants must be attending an accredited institution of higher education in the fall of 2014, and will be judged on academic performance; volunteer and community involvement; and sports and extracurricular activities. More information, along with applications, will be available online at charlotteknights.com in the fall.

About Carolinas HealthCare System:
Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of nearly 800 care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. CHS works to improve and enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

Tickets for the 2013 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at Knights Stadium, by phone at 704-357-8071 ext. 2106, or online at www.charlotteknights.com. Knights Baseball… Tradition Never Ends.

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

Faith Day is Sunday, July 7th

June 30, 2013

Join former Atlanta Braves pitcher Marty Clary for a special pre-game picnic

The Drive’s home stand wraps up on Sunday, July 7th with a 4:05 PM game, but prior to first pitch will be a special pre-game picnic in the Paladin Plateau, featuring former Atlanta Braves pitcher Marty Clary, for Faith Day at Fluor Field.

For just $15, fans will receive a ticket to that day’s game and can participate in the pre-game picnic, while listening to Clary, along with Greenville Drive chaplain Luis Mercado, and Drive players speak about their faith in baseball.

Churches and groups with at least 15 people participating in the pre-game picnic and game will receive a special recognition on the DriveVision video board during the day.

To purchase this special ticket for Faith Day at Fluor Field, visit the Fluor Field Box Office or call (864) 240-4528.

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