Former and Current Owners of the Visalia Rawhide Baseball Club Team up to Donate $250,000 to the Visalia and Tulare County Community

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VISALIA, CA- The former and current owners of the Visalia Rawhide have jointly contributed $250,000 to establish the Visalia Rawhide Charitable Fund at the Central Valley Community Foundation to serve the community where Visalia Rawhide fans live, work and play.

“The Visalia community provided great support over our 18 years with the Rawhide ballclub,” said Tom Seidler, former Rawhide co-owner and President of Top of the Third, Inc. “We are excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community during this time of great need, in partnership with the Rawhide and the Sigal family. I can’t think of a better way to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Rawhide championship than this effort to help many families in need through these two grants.”

To support families with childcare costs, food, distance learning supplies, and other essential services, an initial grant from the new fund of $50,000 has been donated to First 5 which supports six family resource centers, including the Visalia Family Resource Center. During the COVID pandemic, family resource centers in Tulare County are experiencing, on average, a 50% increase in the number of calls for assistance, many from families that have never sought help before.

A second $50,000 grant will help fund The Healthy Harvest Program in Tulare County. The local ag industry is essential and has continued the food production we all rely upon. This new program expands messaging to the Valley’s food production industry about coronavirus safety. It will provide access to testing, house workers who need to self-isolate and provide food and transportation to make quarantine possible. These are essential steps to stop the spread of the virus throughout the community.

“It takes all of us coming together to make a difference in this national crisis”, said Sam Sigal, current co-owner of the Rawhide and Vice President of First Pitch Entertainment, LLC. “ The Healthy Harvest Program is a partnership that brings together state, federal, industry, and philanthropic dollars.” Among the agencies that support The Healthy Harvest Program are the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Tulare County, and the Tulare Farm Bureau.

“It is an honor to team up with the Central Valley Community Foundation, The Family Resource Centers, and the Healthy Harvest Program, said Sam. “Although professional baseball is in a pause due to the pandemic, we look forward to many enjoyable seasons in the years ahead. For now, the health of the people of Visalia and the surrounding area is our focus.”

In April, at the beginning of the pandemic, the Sigal family donated over $30,000 to support Central Valley non-profits. In collaboration with the Central Valley Community Foundation, support was directed to emergency relief funds, food bank distribution efforts and local hospitals.

“The Visalia Rawhide has been an iconic presence in Tulare County by tipping its hat to the Ag industry that propels our community. And by stepping up to help financially support our Healthy Harvest program, the Community Care Coalition in Tulare County can bring much needed supportive services to our farmworkers and their families affected by COVID-19,” said Coalition Co-Chairs Rosemary Caso, Executive Director of United Way Tulare County and Francena Martinez, Division Manager, Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency. “We applaud their efforts in making sure this critical program is available to those that need it.”

For more information about the efforts of the Central Valley Community Foundation in the fight against the Coronavirus, contact Hannah McAbee ([email protected])

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The Visalia Rawhide are a professional baseball team in the Class A Advanced California League and are the only professional sports team in Tulare and Kings counties. The team has been an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2007 and will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Minor League Baseball in Visalia in 2021. The Rawhide look to continue their reputation for hosting competitive baseball while providing affordable family entertainment and defending the 2019 California League Championship. For more information, please contact the Visalia Rawhide Front Office at 559.732.4433, visit us online at rawhidebaseball.com, or follow us on Facebook (TheRawhide), Instagram (@VisaliaRawhide), and Twitter (@VisaliaRawhide).

M-Braves Present Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute With $5,000 Grant From The Atlanta Braves Foundation

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PEARL – In conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, the Mississippi Braves are joining together with the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute in their extraordinary effort to empower the youth of color in central Mississippi through education and community activation. In keeping with the mission of the Atlanta Braves Foundation to support youth-serving programs in our community, a grant for $5,000 was presented to the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute at Trustmark Park on Friday, September 11.

“Along with our parent club, the Atlanta Braves, we are proud to partner with the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute in their mission to impact the lives and future careers of the youth in central Mississippi,” added Pete Laven, Mississippi Braves vice president and general manager. “In the spirit of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, the M-Braves look forward to participating in the Institute’s efforts in providing equitable environments in our community.”

The Evers Youth Empowerment Scholars program (E.Y.E.S.) is about providing Mississippi youth of color with education, training, character development, and team-building skills that will empower them to become actively engaged in their communities. Program components include academic training, community service, and physical activity. These activities instill within our youth, honor, confidence, hope, forgiveness, and responsibility. Values we want to see all of our youth embody each day.

“The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute is excited and appreciative to begin a relationship with the Atlanta and Mississippi Braves,” said Reena Evers-Everette, executive director of the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute and daughter Medgar and Myrlie Evers. “This gift will help support our ongoing efforts for justice and healing, enhancing our organization’s abilities to support communities through our youth empowerment initiatives. Now especially, with elevated conversations about racism and demands for change, it is inspiring to have the Atlanta and Mississippi Braves support our mission.”

About the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute:
Medgar and Myrlie Evers are widely regarded as two of the most outstanding leaders of the civil rights movement. Medgar Evers was a pioneering visionary for civil rights in the 1950s and early 1960s in Mississippi. From the beginning, Myrlie Evers worked alongside her husband, Medgar. In the years following his assassination, she continued the pioneering work they began together in 1998. She founded the Medgar Evers Institute, with the initial goal of preserving and advancing the legacy of Medgar Evers’ life’s work. Anticipating the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Medgar Evers on June 12, 1963, and recognizing the international leadership role of Myrlie Evers, the Institute’s board of directors changed the organization’s name to the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute.

About the Atlanta Braves Grant Program:
Each year, the Atlanta Braves Foundation grants funds to youth-serving organizations that focus on health, education, and recreation; and whose plans for the requested funds will have a significant impact upon the individuals served by the requesting organization.

“Although great strides in the field of human relations have been made, we cannot let up now!”
~ Medgar Evers, April 1961

460 Battle Brings Communities Together

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Roanoke, VA, September 10, 2020 – There’s nothing like a battle to bring people together for a greater purpose. Blue Eagle Credit Union, the Lynchburg Hillcats, and the Salem Red Sox have planned a rivalry baseball game to:

1. Bring back baseball locally and have some fun!

2. Unify communities with a little friendly competition!

3. Recognize some of the key ‘players’ in making our communities a great place to live, work, and PLAY!

“We are thrilled to partner with Blue Eagle Credit Union to rekindle the 460 Rivalry with the Hillcats and the city of Lynchburg. This inaugural game will be a bright spot in 2020 and something that we can continue each year to honor these two great communities.” Allen Lawrence, General Manager, Salem Red Sox

The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2020 at the Salem Memorial Ballpark. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. The teams are being drafted currently and will be announced soon. Teams will be made up of local ‘celebrity MVPs’.

Admission is free, thanks to Blue Eagle Credit Union’s sponsorship, but limited to the first 1,000 fans. Don’t miss the action, reserve your tickets early by going online to https://www.milb.com/salem/events/blue-eagle-460-battle. Donations will be accepted at the gate to benefit the American Red Cross and the United Way (in both Lynchburg and Roanoke). Both of these organizations have local programs instrumental in supporting the financial, medical, family, safety, and education aspects of our communities. “Elevating awareness and support for the Red Cross and United Way is a big part of the game – and we’re hoping we hit a home run for them both with donations.” shared Laurissa Grubb, Director of Marketing for Blue Eagle Credit Union.

Andrew Alegre, Brand Ambassador for Blue Eagle Credit Union added “We’ve partnered with the Hillcats and Red Sox for years. We choose to do so because we share common values and a desire to see our communities prosper. We love finding unique and fun ways to get the job done!”

Though this inaugural game will be held in Salem, there’s talk that the game would rotate between the two cities. Matt Klein, Assistant General Manager for the Lynchburg Hillcats comments “We couldn’t be more excited to ramp up the 460 rivalry with The Salem Red Sox and The Lynchburg Hillcats all in the name of “Community”. A wonderful opportunity to connect two great cities, collaborate with Blue Eagle Credit Union, and compete on the “diamond” by celebrating members of each community that play a vital role in making our cities “move and shake!”

Game Day Bonus – The first 500 fans in the gate will receive a limited edition 460 Community Battle t-shirt! Visit the Blue Eagle Credit Union table on game day for additional giveaways (while supplies last). Not a Blue Eagle Credit Union member yet? See what they have for you on game day! You won’t want to miss it.

*– END – *

Blue Eagle® Credit Union is a local not-for-profit financial cooperative serving the greater Roanoke and Lynchburg areas, since 1948. Blue Eagle® Credit Union’s Google review rating averages 4.9 out of 5 stars_, a direct result of their commitment to improving the financial picture of their members and the communities they serve. Blue Eagle® Credit Union wants you to see banking differently! Insured by NCUA. _

_The Salem Red Sox are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and call Salem Memorial Ballpark in Salem, Virginia home. The team was founded in 1968 and purchased by Fenway Sports Management in December of 2007. _

_The Lynchburg Hillcats are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The Hillcats are eight-time Carolina League Champions, having most recently won the Mills Cup Championship in 2017. The Hillcats play their home games in Lynchburg, VA which has been home to Minor League Baseball since 1940. Visit the Hillcats online at Lynchburg-hillcats.com, and follow the Hillcats on Twitter (@LynHillcats), Instagram (@LynHillcats) and Facebook (Lynchburg Hillcats). _

Pawtucket Red Sox and PawSox Foundation to hold first-ever Fall Golf Classic

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Event takes place on Tuesday, October 6th at Pawtucket Country Club.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

PAWTUCKET, RI – In an effort to raise more funds to help the community through this unprecedented year, the Pawtucket Red Sox will hold their inaugural PawSox Foundation Golf Classic presented by Navigant Credit Union on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at Pawtucket Country Club. Proceeds from the event will help the PawSox Foundation support the charities of Rhode Island and the many community partners who have relied upon the ballclub’s support for the past five decades. The course sponsor is LiUNA! Local 271.

The club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary by providing “50 Acts of Kindness” throughout the Ocean State for the second straight year, and this outing will help augment the impact of those acts.

Co-chairmen of the event are PawSox Hall of Famer Mike Tamburro and longtime PawSox executive Mike Lyons.

“This community has been our home for over 50 years,” Tamburro said. “And, with your help, our organization will continue to operate the PawSox Foundation and continue the partnerships and relationships right here in the years to come. We look forward to an afternoon of good friends and good golf.”

The October 6th PawSox Foundation Golf Classic will begin with registration from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon followed by a 12:15 pm shotgun start and then scramble play. A BBQ lunch will be served on the course. Registration includes green and cart fees (18 holes) as well as lunch and dinner (at 5:30 pm). Guests will also receive a complimentary PawSox gift bag upon arrival.

The entry fee is $200 per person or $800 per foursome. Tee Box Signs are available for $200. Click here to register now.

Fans can visit pawsox.com for more information or contact Tamburro at [email protected] or Lyons at [email protected].

The Pawtucket Country Club is committed to providing precautions and ensuring everyone’s safety. The PawSox Foundation thanks PCC owners David Rampone and Gary Reis, along with general manager Jacki Doyle and golf professional Mike Gelinas.

OceanFirst Foundation Honors Non-Profits as Part of Home Runs for Heroes

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JERSEY SHORE, NJ – OceanFirst Foundation made donations to 16 organizations that support military personnel on Friday as part of an adjusted version of the Home Runs for Heroes program. The ceremony took place during the Party in the Park fireworks event at FirstEnergy Park.

Since 2009, OceanFirst Foundation has donated to non-profit organizations for each BlueClaws home run hit at FirstEnergy Park. Despite the 2020 season being canceled, the organization still to 16 organizations.

The following organizations received a donation from OceanFirst Foundation.

  • American Red Cross
  • Army Emergency Relief (Fort Dix)
  • Cape May Coast Guard Community Foundation
  • Catholic Charities (Diocese of Trenton)
  • Deborah Hospital Foundation
  • GI Go Fund
  • Homes for All/Hands For All
  • Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey
  • Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Foundation
  • Ma Deuce Deuce
  • National Guard State Family Readiness Council
  • Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
  • Operation First Response
  • Recalibrate
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars – Brick Post 8867
  • Vetgroup

“The BlueClaws are proud to partner with OceanFirst Foundation on the Home Runs for Heroes Program and we thank them for their support of these amazing organizations even in this unique year,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti. “Even without a BlueClaws season, we are thrilled to see OceanFirst Foundation donate to these many worthy causes all over the Shore.”

“We thank the Lakewood BlueClaws organization and Townsquare Media for providing the opportunity to work together to bring much needed relief to local military families and Veterans during these difficult times. We’re pleased to have provided $408,000 in grants over the years of our partnership.” said Katherine Durante, Executive Director of OceanFirst Foundation.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment.

-BlueClaws-

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: Harmony House

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — For nearly 50 years, Harmony House has been there for Southwest Missouri–providing shelter, advocacy and education to survivors of domestic violence and promoting the principle that all individuals have a right to a life free from abuse.

Since its founding in 1976, Harmony House has helped over 17,000 individuals who were victims of domestic violence. Even before the uncharted times our country has endured these past six months, Harmony House stands as a hero in our community.

But it’s what they’ve done and found ways to continue to do during the COVID-19 pandemic that makes them this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

“It was important to our entire team that we keep our doors open for victims in our community, as many are still suffering at the hands of their abuser even through the pandemic,” Harmony House Director of Development Jared Alexander said. “We maintained a full staff of advocates in shelter, continued operation of our 24-hour emergency hotline, and transitioned to several virtual presentations and programs to continue services and communication for residents, volunteers, and the general public.”

And the community recognized those efforts. Harmony House received over 10 percent of all nominations for our Non-Profit Heroes. Their impact and effort was certainly noticed.

“Harmony House has continued to work through the COVID pandemic, sheltering clients and providing outreach services,” one nominator said. “Harmony House is the only domestic violence shelter in Greene County and without their services many abused people would have been trapped in dangerous situations.”

The Harmony House team understood the added dangers for domestic violence victims during the stay-at-home-order and responded, implementing a code word that could be used to indicate that an individual was in immediate danger and continuing to help alleviate individuals from the epidemic of domestic violence–as one nomination put it.

“We are so proud of the entire team at Harmony House–staff, volunteers, and our board–who continue to work tirelessly for domestic violence victims in our community despite the challenges we are all facing as a community,” Alexander said. “Harmony House, like so many in our community, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as an organization. Immediately, our leadership team and board of directors made the decision to remain open and to implement screening procedures to protect the staff, volunteers and clients currently residing in shelter and participating in our Outreach program.”

Harmony House is not only the only domestic violence shelter in Greene County, but it’s the largest of its kind in the state of Missouri. In 2017, Harmony House expanded to a larger facility that allowed it to expand its bed count from 110 to 168. Each year, Harmony House assists over 900 women, men, and children in our community.

To keep track of all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, visit springfieldcardinals.com/heroes.

Do you need help or want to get involved?

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great. To get involved with Harmony House, contact them at myharmonyhouse.org/contact.

If you need help, call the Harmony House 24-hour hotline at 417-864-7233 or toll free at 800-831-6863. You can also visit myharmonyhouse.org for additional resources.

For more on what Harmony House is doing for our region on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/**myharmonyhouse.**

Victory Field Lights Up Red as Part of #RedAlertRestart

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INDIANAPOLIS – Tonight, Victory Field and other venues around Indiana have gone on #RedAlert to raise awareness for the thousands of Hoosier workers and small businesses in our industry who have been impacted by COVID-19. Live events venues were the first to close and will be among the last to return, and efforts to help us safely back to live events are critical for our economy.

Did You Know?

  • Live events employ over 12 million people.
  • Live events contribute over $1 trillion annually to the US economy.
  • 95% of live events have been canceled due to COVID-19.
  • 96% of companies have cut staff and/or wages.
  • 77% of people in the live events industry have lost 100% of their income, including 97% of 1099 workers.

On September 1, 2020, #WeMakeEvents, a coalition of trade bodies, businesses, unions and live events workers, will light up their venues, home and cities red in over 1,500 locations across North America to raise public and media awareness in support of the live events sector. Will you join us?

How You Can Help

  • Please contact your representatives at WeMakeEvents.org.
  • Post a red-tinted photo of your favorite live event to your social media with the following caption: #RedAlertRESTART: the live events we love may never recover from the pandemic, we need to take action! Take 2 minutes to contact your representatives here, and post a red photo of you at your favorite event, too: https://WeMakeEvents.org #WeMakeEvents #ExtendPUA
  • Turn your photo red here: https://www11.lunapic.com/editor/?action=tint
  • Check out the hashtag #RedAlertRESTART and share/RT images of venues and live events workers you love.

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: Discovery Center

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations across the country to adapt how they operate in order to continue to find ways to serve their community.

In Springfield, the Discovery Center (DCS) has done that and much more, establishing itself as a leader on both the local and the national level as one of just two science centers in North America that remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back in early March when schools, offices and everything else was beginning to shut down to save lives, the Discovery Center adapted. Because just when everywhere else was telling its employees and students to stay home, healthcare workers were busier than ever, and many of their kids suddenly had nowhere to go.

On March 17, 2020, the Discovery Center started a five-day transition from an award-winning science center into a licensed, emergency childcare facility for healthcare workers and first responders with displaced school-aged children. This service was provided for free to over 1,000 children since March 23—seven days a week for 14 hours each day.

In total, DCS provided 100,000 free childcare hours, over 50,000 free meals and snacks and over 1,000 child enrollments.

All of this and more is why the Discovery Center is this week’s Non-Profit Hero, presented by American National Insurance.

“We here in the Ozarks are always helping and caring for each other,” one Non-Profit Heroes nominator wrote. “Springfield might be one of the larger cities in Missouri, but it sure feels like a small town on most days. During this crazy time our world is in, there are stories all over, but I don’t want people to miss out on a great story right here in Springfield.’

“In the middle of all this chaos they are providing one of the most organized and safest opportunities for these students.”

Discovery Center staff—which came to be known as Team Incredibles—provided three meals a day to kids at their facility in addition to preparing boxes of food to send home to families of frontline workers. Each day they created lesson plans for kids—live streaming virtual lessons, organizing hands-on experiments and crafts, assisting with school work, and providing experiences in the museum itself and focusing on science-based education when it is needed more than ever.

The Center’s health and safety standards went above industry standards, and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department borrowed from the Center’s COVID-19 safety measures to model for COVID childcare guidelines.

An average of 3,000 people used the Discovery Center’s free virtual lessons every single day.

“Mister Rogers taught us to look for the helpers,” Discovery Center Executive Director Rob Blevins said. “But we knew from the beginning that we should be doing more than just looking. We knew we needed to help the helpers. And we knew we had the best place for these kids to be.’

“We focused on not only childcare but also making sure that kids felt normal, that they weren’t experiencing a loss in learning by providing schooling based lesson plans, and that they were so well taken care of that their parents could focus on keeping our community safe.”

When talks of how to handle a new school year during COVID-19 began, the Discovery Center adapted again. On July 27, 2020, they announced the opening of the Discovery School, a private K-5 model, and the Learning Support Care Program to assist with Springfield Public School’s plan for in-person schooling. DCS education staff serves as guides and tutors to help children complete SPS virtual curriculum.

The Discovery School at the Center is an independent school run by the Discovery Center for the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year. The education staff has over 20 years of combined education experiences and is creating curriculum in humanities, fine arts, world languages, literacy, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, computer coding, robotics, 3D printing and more with teaching partnerships with organizations such as NASA and the Smithsonian Museums.

“The kids we cared for navigated the crisis in a fun way that only the Discovery Center could offer,” Blevins said. “We are a top tier community asset. This is our mission. When SkyZone closed down, we took those families in and gave them free admission and free birthday parties. When the opioid epidemic hit Springfield, we became the first science center in the world to offer the science of synthetic endorphins and pharmacology. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that when our helpers needed help that our doors would be wide open.”

Over five million people worldwide have been inspired by Team Incredibles at the Discovery Center. Click here to learn how you can contribute.

How You Can Get Involved

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great. To get involved with the Discovery Center, contact them at [email protected] or visit discoverycenter.org.

For more on what the Discovery Center is doing for our region on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/discoverycenterspringfield.

Chihuahuas help local food bank achieve its mission 

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El Pasoans Fighting Hunger among CommUNITY grant recipients

The El Paso Chihuahuas have partnered with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger for as long as the team has been an existence, establishing ties with the nearby food bank during the team’s inaugural season of 2014. From hosting staff volunteer events to conducting food drives at the ballpark, the Chihuahuas have seen EPFH’s important work in the community up close.

Given that longstanding relationship, the Chihuahuas’ front office didn’t have to look far when deciding which organization to nominate for one of Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY grants.

“We are proud to see our friends at EPFH benefit from the generosity of MILB Charities,” said Brad Taylor, the Chihuahuas’ senior vice president and general manager. “Their work in El Paso and the surrounding areas is never ending and this will surely help their mission.”

That mission, according to EPFH, is to “combat the hunger crisis in our region by strategically procuring and distributing nutritious food through community partners,” crucial work with a need that has grown significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The El Paso community has been impacted so severely by the pandemic that EPFH has already surpassed its 2019 food distribution numbers. Last year the food bank distributed more than 32.5 million pounds of food in the Borderland area; this year through May, EPFH has already distributed more than 50 million pounds, with 15 million pounds distributed in May alone.

What does all that mean for the children, single-parent households, veterans, senior citizens and working class families the organization serves? Simply stated, quite a lot.

EPFH has been providing food to 8,000 families daily via their drive thru program since the beginning of the pandemic — numbers are on par with what food banks in much larger markets like Detroit and Chicago but with a fraction the staff. A member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network, the organization also recently launched a home delivery service for families impacted by COVID-19 as well as seniors and persons with disabilities.

Of course, getting that much food into the community requires a lot of volunteers, and EPFH does its best to keep everyone safe in the age of social distancing. The $500 grant on behalf of MiLB Charities will help toward the purchase of food boxes, of course, but also personal protective equipment for volunteers to give them peace of mind to continue their efforts.

“We are thankful for this generous gift, which will provide 3,500 meals to El Pasoans who are struggling with food insecurity,” said EPFH chief executive officer Susan Goodell, who added that the total will actually be 7,000 meals when you add a matching gift from the El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation. “These food boxes will not only provide individuals and families with the nourishment needed to sustain themselves, but will allow households to redistribute their expenditures as necessary – on housing, utilities, medical care or education needs. As a result, parents of food insecure households will begin to create a path for financial and longer-term sustainability.”

In addition to El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, the other winning organizations of a CommUNITY grant were Dreams Go On (Altoona Curve), the Young Black Leadership Alliance (Charlotte Knights), Charleston Hope (Charleston RiverDogs) and the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (Birmingham Barons).

“A program like this one shows that even without games, Minor League Baseball can deeply enhance and improve their communities,” said Taylor.

Knights help Charlotte youth lead the way

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Nonprofit selected as one of five CommUNITY grant recipients

For Charlotte’s Megan Smithers, nominating an organization for Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY grant program was a no-brainer, given the team’s relationship with and appreciation for the Young Black Leadership Alliance.

The Knights’ director of community relations selected YBLA for its involvement with Black youth in the Charlotte area. Founded in 2006, YBLA works to “educate and develop young black leaders to have a positive impact in their community and beyond.” Through its flagship Ambassador program, YBLA identifies student leaders in high school, helps get them ready for college and their early professional years while also training them to mentor students of all grade levels.

Recently, in light of social justice issues that have come to the forefront, YBLA launched another campaign called Community Conversations — a three-tier program aiming to educate, collaborate and solve disparities affecting the Black community in Charlotte.

“Community Conversations has been a great way to create positive communication,” Smithers said. “They’ve been able to create a platform where people can come join and talk openly and really either educate themselves or listen to other people.

“I think the leaders and founders of YBLA realized the opportunity to create positive conversation. This also showed these young Black youth that they are helping to further their careers and further their education. It allowed them to get involved.”

Members of the Young Black Leadership Alliance enjoy a Knights game. Charlotte Knights

Eager to recognize the important work of nonprofit organizations in 2020, Minor League Baseball came up with the idea of awarding five $500 grants to organizations spanning the country that are supporting their local and diverse community in an impactful, relevant way. YBLA joins Dreams Go On (Altoona Curve), Charleston Hope (Charleston RiverDogs), El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank (El Paso Chihuahuas) and ¡HICA! (Birmingham Barons) as recipients receiving that grant on behalf of MiLB Charities.

“YBLA is doing some really great things in our community,” Smithers said. “They make sure (their ambassadors) succeed, go to college and become good community advocates.”

This is not the first time the Knights have helped recognize the efforts of YBLA. In 2017, Charlotte awarded the organization a $3,500 grant as part of its Safe at Home campaign. The Knights also work closely with YBLA for education opportunities in the sports industry, serving as a community liaison.

“If they have kids in their program that have sports-tracked minds or want to go into sports, we are a good advocate for them,” Smithers said.

COVID-19 has forced YBLA’s in-person sessions for the 2020-21 school year to be conducted online. However, that hasn’t hindered the organization’s ability to impact and inspire the Charlotte community. Community Conversations still take place online every Tuesday, and the sessions are open to the public.

“This allowed the youth to get involved, which was a different aspect hearing how things are affecting them,” Smithers said. “It’s definitely a cool way that they were able to engage with all the demographics during this kind of unrest.”

Katie Woo is an editorial producer for Minor League Baseball. Follow her on twitter at @katiejwoo.

Amarillo Symphony To Perform Outdoor Concert at HODGETOWN

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The Amarillo Symphony and Amarillo Sod Poodles are excited to bring great music to the community in a fun and safe way with “Hollywood at HODGETOWN” on Saturday, September 19. The open-air, socially-distanced concert at HODGETOWN, home of the Sod Poodles, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.

The Amarillo Symphony, conducted by Jacomo Bairos, will perform a variety of patriotic and cinematic works, including “Stars and Stripes Forever_” and themes from _Harry Potter_, _The Magnificent Seven_, and _Star Wars_, among others. The concert will end with a fireworks finale set to Tchaikovsky’s _1812 Overture.

“Performing on the field at HODGETOWN will bring a new experience to audience and musicians alike,” said Andrew Hay, Executive Director of The Amarillo Symphony. “I’m excited to see Maestro Bairos and the orchestra play in the ballpark, and we are honored to be able to offer this experience to the community at this time.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Amarillo Symphony on this one-of-a-kind event,” said Tony Ensor, Sod Poodles President and General Manager. “We look forward to bringing this unique Hollywood concert to life in our ballpark setting for the entire community to enjoy and create memories this summer together in a safe and healthy outdoor environment.”

Advanced ticket pricing ranges from $10 to $18 depending on seat location. Guests can purchase tickets starting Thursday, September 3. Online tickets will be available at www.SodPoodles.com starting at 9 a.m. Guests can purchase by phone at 806-803-9547 or in-person at the HODGETOWN box office starting at 10 a.m. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day of the event purchasing will be available, but a $2 increase will be in effect and ticket availability is not guaranteed.

Hospitality options for groups are available as well including Dugout Suites, Concourse Suites, Luxury Suites, and the Pepsi Party Deck. For more information on hospitality areas and tickets, please call 806-803-7762 or email [email protected].

A pre-concert band, “The RagTown Chiefs,” will delight and entertain the crowd just after gates open to shortly before the symphony performance begins so fans are encouraged to arrive early.

This symphony performance is generously sponsored by Street Toyota, Amarillo National Bank, Underwood Law Firm PC, NCW Risk Management, Paul and Jo Tyler Engler and media partner NewsChannel10. The pre-concert band and finale fireworks are brought to you by FirstBank Southwest.

For more information on HODGETOWN’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan and protocols, click HERE.

Hometown Hero: Stacy Kitchens

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

SPOKANE, Wash. – The COVID-19 pandemic has created several stress factors in hospitals as protocols change, capacity is reached, and employees are susceptible to contracting the virus. It’s essential that leaders in healthcare continue to be positive and supportive for coworkers and patients alike. The Spokane Indians were excited to be able to meet Hometown Hero, Stacy Kitchens. Stacy is an Emergency Room RN (registered nurse) at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital. She has a reputation of treating others like family. Stacy has been an integral person in the emergency room through her leadership, adaptability, and willingness to help others through challenging times.

SI: How long have you worked for MultiCare? What is your current role?

SK: I started at Deaconess Hospital in 2005 as a phlebotomist while I was working my way through nursing school. I then started out as a new graduate RN in the Emergency Room in 2008 and have never left. I currently am a Charge Nurse there.

SI: How have your day-to-day duties changed during this pandemic?

SK: My duties at work have definitely changed during this pandemic. I wear a mask for the entire twelve hours of my shift. I also wear eye protectant if I am around any patient for more than 15 minutes. As a nurse I have always been trained on proper use of personal protection equipment and the specialized equipment we use when taking care of COVID positive patients or patients being tested for COVID. Now I just use the equipment much more often and feel very comfortable and confident doing so.

SI: What inspired you to become a nurse?

SK: I was intrigued by the idea of nursing. I thought it would be fun to help take care of people and make a difference in their lives so I decided to volunteer at a local emergency room and absolutely loved it. It was fascinating to me. I loved the excitement of the emergency room and the opportunity to help make people feel better in difficult situations.

SI: What is a piece of advice that you would give anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare?

SK: I would say you should absolutely do it. While going to school or researching different careers in the medical field, you should volunteer or take an entry level job in a hospital or medical setting so you can find your fit. Healthcare has so many different opportunities for you to find what you’re truly passionate about.

SI: are some hobbies that you enjoy when you aren’t working?

SK: My absolute favorite thing to do when I am not working is being on my boat with my family. We love traveling to different lakes in the amazing PNW. My husband and I are teaching our kids how to surf and are loving every minute on the water.

SI: What is your favorite quote?

SK: You become what you believe, so believe in yourself.

The Spokane Indians would like to thank Stacy and all healthcare workers for making sacrifices and taking care of people in need. To submit nominations for future Hometown Hero’s, visit: https://www.milb.com/spokane/community/hometownhero

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open for online orders and curbside pickup.

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: Community Partnership of the Ozarks

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

A quick trip to the online home of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) reveals three overarching pillars that make up their goal for the Springfield and Southwest Missouri community: building resilient children, building healthy families, and building strong neighborhoods and communities.

CPO embraces those pillars even in normal times, but it’s what they’ve done over the past five months during the COVID-19 pandemic that makes them one of our Non-Profit Hero award winners, presented by American National Insurance.

Over the two-week nominating period, CPO received nine nominations–the most of any single non-profit in a series that received over 100 nominations. Learn more about Non Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, at SpringfieldCardinals.com/heroes.

Community Impact During COVID-19

For many individuals, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of fear and uncertainty. CPO has been there to help calm those fears with the individuals that it was already committed to helping by checking on neighbors, bringing food, medication and supplies to those who couldn’t leave their homes, sheltering vulnerable homeless families, and so much more.

In fact, throughout the course of the pandemic, CPO has sheltered 150 vulnerable homeless individuals at a time–providing showers, meals and other services meant to keep them as safe as possible. They have ensured that childcare workers are recognized as essential workers and ensured that their needs are met. They produced a series of messaging and videos to help people cope with isolation, withdrawal and other mental health challenges brought on by COVID-19. They have become a coordinated communication hub where people can go to find available resources to help deal with the pandemic.

And the list goes on and on.

“Community Partnership’s leadership and staff understood from the beginning of the pandemic that it was crucial to stay engaged with our community,” CPO Vice-President of Communications Jacqué Breedlove-Harness said. “We did what we are here to do–collaborate with our partners to find creative and innovative solutions to fill the gaps in services throughout the communities we serve.’

“From connecting with neighbors at a grassroots, door-to-door level to meeting people virtually across the region, we collected and shared important information face-to-face and on multiple digital platforms, making sure everyone remained connected to the education, resources and services they need during this difficult time. How we serve currently looks quite different from before, but we know how important it is that we continue to find ways to build resilient children, healthy families, and strong neighborhoods and communities.”

How You Can Get Involved

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great. To get involved with CPO, contact them at [email protected] or visit cpozarks.org.

For more on what the Community Partnership of the Ozarks is doing for our region on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/cpozarks.

Students participating in Weller Elementary School’s Bulldog Basketball Academy, sponsored by Community Partnership of the Ozarks, learn more than basketball skills. They also learn important life and social skills, as well as developing positive relationships with mentors.

Graduates from Community Partnership’s first Parent Leadership Training Institute developed lifelong friendships and systems of support as they learned how to advocate and spark change for our community’s children.

Public Education Partners and Greenville Drive Announce My Drive to #Teach864 Campaign

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Public Education Partners (PEP) and the Greenville Drive announced today that they will continue their support of Greenville’s public school teachers through the My Drive to #Teach864 campaign. The annual #Teach864 Night between the two organizations is a celebration of teachers across all Greenville County Schools, and is one of the most highly anticipated events at Fluor Field each year.

However, Covid-19 and the cancellation of the Drive’s 2020 baseball season prevented the event from taking place in its usual format this year – but that’s not stopping the team from going to bat for teachers.

As school doors reopen, PEP and the Drive will be launching a two-week community fundraising effort – My Drive to #Teach864 – to support programming focused on teacher health and wellbeing, appreciation, and access to professional development for the 2020-21 school year. These programs represent one of PEP’s three strategic priorities – Elevating Teachers – which is focused on recruitment, retention, and morale initiatives that cultivate increased teacher satisfaction.

In celebration of PEP’s 35th anniversary and the Drive’s 15th anniversary, the organizations are committed to raising $35,000 from August 24th through September 7th by asking individuals to pledge $8.64 a month or make a one-time gift of $100, $50, or $25 in support of Greenville County’s teachers. Corporate sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are also available in support of the campaign.

Pledges to the campaign, as well as more information on PEP’s programming, can be made online at www.pepgc.org.

“Statewide data shows that teachers are leaving the classroom earlier in their careers than ever before. In Greenville County, 40% of teachers leaving the profession did so within the first five years,” stated Catherine Schumacher, PEP CEO & President. “Understanding that teachers are facing more hurdles than ever as they return to school this fall, PEP is doubling down on our commitment to teacher retention and morale. We are lucky to have community partners like the Greenville Drive that also recognize the importance of this moment and are joining us in thinking innovatively about how we support teachers.”

“While we may not be able to hit home runs at Fluor Field this season, that will not prevent us from hitting them in the classroom with PEP and Greenville County Schools,” Craig Brown, Greenville Drive Owner & President. “During our first 15 years our mission has always been, and will continue to be, a part of the fabric of the Upstate Community. Despite not having a Drive baseball season this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have doubled-down on that support, which includes our support of Greenville County Schools and Public Education Partners. We look forward to watching this campaign deliver valuable resources and opportunities to teachers.”

In addition the Drive, significant financial pledges have been made to the My Drive to #Teach864 campaign by Greenville Federal Credit Union, and others.

R-Phils Announce Rip It Fall High School Showcase 

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

The Reading Fightin Phils are proud to present their second Rip It Baseballtown Charities High School Showcase. All games will be played at the Double-A ballpark of the Philadelphia Phillies, FirstEnergy Stadium.

With the success of the first showcase, the R-Phils are happy to provide an opportunity to allow more kids to play baseball. Registration will benefit Baseballtown Charities.

There will be one game a night, played at 5:30 pm, starting Monday, August 24. Muhlenberg, Twin Valley, and Wilson are set to square off during the showcase.

The schedule is as following:

24-Aug — 5:30

Wilson

Twin Valley

25-Aug — 5:30

Twin Valley

Muhlenberg

1-Sep — 5:30

Muhlenberg

Twin Valley

2-Sep — 5:30

Muhlenberg

Wilson

Select food and drink concessions stands will be open for purchase. There will be no admission fee and, as always, parking will be free.

The R-Phils will also be hosting their Rip It Baseballtown Charities Fall Showcase for 13U-19U teams on weekends in September. Please visit rphils.com/showcase for more information or email [email protected] to sign up.