Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and Dragons present Anthem Game Changers

 

*Dayton, Ohio – *Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host Paramedic, Nathan Heaton, EMT, Jennifer Domenick, and their employer, Kettering Health, for the unique Anthem Game Changers program on Wednesday, July 14, when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark.

The Anthem Game Changer program recognizes essential workers, and their organizations, for the relentless commitment to the community during the pandemic. Their selfless efforts to provide necessities such as food, education, and emergency medical support throughout Covid-19 are immeasurable. Please join us to thank these Game Changers for their support and dedication. They changed the game for many in our community.

Nathan and Jennifer’s Story

When the pandemic shut the world down last spring, essential personnel rose to the occasion to provide critical needs for our community. The selfless efforts of these people ensured we still had access to necessities such as food, education, and emergency medical support. Today, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons highlight Nathan Heaton, Jennifer Domenick, and their employer, Kettering Health, for being Game Changers during COVID-19.

In the spring of 2020, Paramedic Nathan Heaton and EMT Jennifer Domenick paired up as an emergency transportation team for Kettering Health. As a transportation team, Nathan and Jennifer drove patients from an emergency room to one of Kettering Health’s main hospitals. Along the way, one drives the vehicle while the other assisted the patient with their medical needs.

The emergency response team saw a direct impact of the pandemic. The volume of rides increased while the number of available COVID units decreased. This meant that Nathan and Jennifer drove thousands of miles and hours more to ensure COVID patients could reach appropriate care. In addition, the importance to keep riders safe meant following new health and safety protocols like personal protective equipment (PPE) and truck decontaminations.

But while this team was faced with adversity, they continued to put their patients and other staff at Kettering Health before themselves. Nathan and Jennifer would treat each patient as they would a family member; remembering to stay calm, communicate well, and keep things positive. During their time off or slower shifts, the team would also jump in and help with room visits at main hospitals and emergency rooms to assist with the overload of new patients.

After seeing the effects of their work, Nathan and Jennifer want to urge Dragons fans to not procrastinate and take advantage of the time we have now to see the people we want to see and take the trips we want to take, because there will be a moment when we will not have any more time. Their line of work unfortunately shows them too often that time with loved ones can be fleeting, and they do not want anyone to have regret over what they did not do.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and the Dayton Dragons applaud Nathan, Jennifer, and Kettering Health for their commitment to provide for our community during an unprecedented time. They changed the game for many in the community! Please join us in thanking this Anthem Game Changer at the Dragons game on Wednesday, July 14.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark and are scheduled to play 30 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

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Drive to Host Aerospace Night July 23

 

Make plans to join us at Fluor Field on Friday July 23rd for the Drive’s first-ever Aerospace Night event at the ballpark. Working in close collaboration with the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness & the SC Aerospace team, this is a highly unique event that the Drive are excited to begin hosting on an annual basis beginning this season.

The Aerospace industry will be spotlighted & celebrated for the entire evening as we shine a light on the leaders, companies, and organizations driving the Aerospace industry’s success in our community and across the state. Bring your kids and the whole family to the ballpark to learn about the latest exciting technologies & advancements driving the Aerospace industry’s success in our region. Lockheed Martin will have a special set-up on the stadium concourse with a highly engaging and interactive exhibit talking about their company and their specific work in Greenville. And make sure to get to the game early as you don’t want to miss the pre-game flyover!

Tickets start at just $9 and can be purchased directly by clicking here. Gates open at 6pm, with the Drive’s first pitch against the Greensboro Grasshoppers scheduled for 7pm. See you at the game!

Dragons to Recognize “Community All-Stars” Recipient During Game On July 9

 

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize CareSource and the CareSource Foundation as a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Friday, July 9th against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark. The game will start at 7:05 p.m.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters, police officers, doctors, or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

It says a lot about a company for its employees to embrace its mission statement and commit their personal time to its foundation.

This is the case at CareSource. Employees live the CareSource Foundation’s mission statement of improving and making a lasting difference on the physical and mental health and well-being of the Dayton community.

CareSource is downtown Dayton’s largest employer, employing over 3,000 people in the Miami Valley. Each year, these employees volunteer thousands of hours to serve their Dayton neighbors.

Since 2006, the CareSource Foundation has supported the local Dayton community with 21 million dollars in funds donated to nearly 900 community partners.

While CareSource and the CareSource Foundation have always been committed to meeting community needs, during the global pandemic they stepped up to the plate. The CareSource Foundation donated over one million dollars in funds to help keep small businesses afloat and supported unexpected needs for community partners. These efforts included packing food boxes for seniors in the early days of quarantine and supporting digital equity efforts to bring internet and Chromebooks to Dayton neighborhoods.

CareSource and the CareSource Foundation have remained committed to the Dayton community during this unprecedented time and will continue to support and be a proud part of the local community.

For going above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley, the CareSource Foundation is being honored as a Dragons Community All-Star.

Nominate other individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for the Dayton community at https://www.milb.com/dayton/community/cas

This event is the second of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Presenting sponsors are Flying Ace Express Carwash, CenterPoint Energy, Great Clips, and Synchrony. Additional tributes are scheduled for July 28, August 17, and September 1 each focused on a different individual or organization who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark and are scheduled to play 34 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

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Hillsboro Hops Announce New “Community Champions” Program

 

Hillsboro, OR. (July 7, 2021) –The Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops) in partnership with Lam Research (@LamResearch), today announced a new program that will recognize individuals who have stepped up to support others and make a difference in our community. These “Community Champions” show the true spirit of empathy and human kindness and we want to share their stories.

“There have been many challenges that have impacted our beloved communities this past year, but these challenges have also put the spotlight on the amazing individuals who have put others before themselves,” said Hillsboro Hops Senior Director, People and Culture Jen Anderson. “In partnership with Lam Research, the Hillsboro Hops wanted to develop a program that would allow us to share the work of these selfless people and remind everyone that there are ‘Champions’ among us”

The Hillsboro Hops are requesting nominations from to recognize community members including, but not limited to, medical staff, first responders, teachers, counselors, delivery drivers and more.

Nominations can be submitted via the following link: https://www.milb.com/hillsboro/community/champions

Champions will receive a digital baseball card that will be shared via the Hops’ social media platforms as well as tickets to a future Hops’ game where they will receive in-game recognition for their contributions.

The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2021 to allow for game selection.

Questions on submissions can be directed to the Hops’ Community Engagement Coordinator, Hannah August ([email protected]).

About Hillsboro Hops:
The 2014, 2015 & 2019 Champion Hillsboro Hops are the Single-A Advanced baseball affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. The team’s season runs from April to early September. The franchise relocated to Hillsboro in 2012 and began play in 2013 in a new state-of-the-art 4,500 capacity ballpark, Ron Tonkin Field. Follow the Hops on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HillsboroHops and on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @HillsboroHops.

Dragons to Recognize “Hometown Heroes” Recipient During July 7 Game

 

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize St. Vincent Supportive Services as a “Hometown Heroes” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Wednesday, July 7th against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark. The game will start at 7:05 p.m.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizes outstanding military organizations and individuals and welcomes the newest members of the armed forces during special ceremonies.

On any given night in America, there are 76,000 US military veterans sleeping on the streets. Those same veterans who once defended America’s freedom are forced to call park benches and bus stops their bed for the night. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has instituted many programs aimed at solving the causes of veteran homelessness. One of these programs is right here in our backyard. It is the St. Vincent de Paul’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).

The SSVF assists veterans and their families with homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing. The program identifies veterans who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and helps them secure stable and affordable housing. Many of the veterans served by SSVF are in very low-income families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing.

The task is no small one for the SSVF. Seventeen percent of the overall homeless population is made up of veterans and more than half of those homeless veterans also have disabilities. Whether they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or another disability, it is much harder for disabled veterans to secure employment, especially in the times of the current pandemic.

In these cases, the SSVF provides the veteran with help in obtaining their rightful VA benefits, plus additional support such as rent and utility assistance, and connections to employment opportunities.

If you are a local veteran needing assistance, or know someone who is, please visit St. Vincent de Paul’s website for more information and to reach out for help. Their website is located at stvincentdayton.org.

This event is the third of five special Hometown Heroes spotlights at Dragons games this season. At each Hometown Heroes event, the Dragons pay tribute to all service men and women past and present. Presenting sponsors are the Dayton Development Coalition, Reynolds & Reynolds, and the Dayton Dragons. Additional tributes are scheduled for August 1 and August 21 each focused on a different aspect or organization involved in the military.

For more information on the Hometown Heroes program, please visit https://www.milb.com/dayton/community/hometownheroes

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark and are scheduled to play 35 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

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Gwinnett Stripers Award $2,500 June Grant to Impact46

 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves Foundation, have awarded their $2,500 June grant to Impact46 of Lawrenceville. The faith-based nonprofit focuses on education, employment, and community development to impact communities and improve cities.

In 2020, Impact46 teamed up with community partners and the City of Lawrenceville to create the Lawrenceville Response Center to help stabilize families who had lost employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Impact46 has assisted over 1,200 people while providing over $1 million in rental assistance to help families facing eviction and/or homelessness in Gwinnett County. The organization is committed to serving the citizens of Gwinnett County as they recover from the pandemic by focusing on stabilization services and access to livable wages.

The Stripers selected Impact46 to receive the June “Service” themed grant. The $2,500 grant will be utilized by Impact46 in its effort to launch another Response Center in a neighboring city, with the goal of assisting 150 households for up to three months each.

“We are grateful to the Gwinnett Stripers for awarding us with this grant that we will use to continue to care for families who have been impacted by Covid-19,” said Jen Young, Executive Director of Impact46. “The need is still very great and we will use this grant to further our mission as we provide stabilization services to Gwinnett residents in the form of rental, employment, and nutrition assistance.”

Representatives from Impact46 will receive the grant from the Stripers during the game on Saturday, July 24.

For more information on Impact46, including how you can make a donation, visit www.impact46.org.

About the Gwinnett Stripers Grant Program: The Stripers will award four $2,500 grants to different nonprofits in 2021, with each month focusing on a different category of nonprofit organizations aligning with the Atlanta Braves Foundation’s pillars of “Live, Learn, Play, and Serve.” The four categories are Service-oriented programs (June), Military programs (July), Youth programs (August), and Health and Wellness programs (September). Grant applications were collected through May 14. Each grant recipient will be recognized during a Stripers home game at Coolray Field in 2021.

For more information on the Grant Program and all other Stripers community initiatives, visit GoStripers.com/community.

Community Spotlight: Lyllye Reynolds-Parker

 

Lyllye Reynolds-Parker was born at Sacred Heart hospital, in 1946. She is an elder in our community, and a child of Eugene.

In the 1940s, exclusionary laws prevented Black people from buying or renting within city limits. Because of this, her family lived in the “Ferry Street Village” community, near present-day Alton Baker Park. When she was three years old, the Lane County Commissioners ordered that the neighborhood where she and her family lived be bulldozed so that the Ferry Street Bridge could be placed there. Her family was displaced and lived many years out West 11th.

Redlining was alive and well in Oregon into the late 1970s. This racist practice created an inability for black people to access loans to buy a house, in order to purchase homes in an area where their home would increase in value and send their children to high quality school. Most importantly, this practice did not allow for Black families to build generational wealth that could be passed along through generations.

Ms. Lyllye worked for 17 years at the University of Oregon. She came into contact with countless students of color, and she helped them find comfort in a community and a system that wasn’t made for them. The Eugene Emeralds are thrilled to have Ms. Lyllye, and her family, join us at the ballpark on June 19th. Before the game, Ms. Lyllye will throw out a first pitch and receive a custom Emeralds jersey to thank her for her service to the community.

Ms. Lyllye has a dream of purchasing a home for her and her older sister to live in, and the community is determined to help her see that dream come true. To help raise funds for this dream, the Eugene Emeralds will be selling special Black empowerment shirts featuring Ms. Lyllye on the back with her message of unity. “I chose Unity because we are such a fractured society right now. I just want us to realize we are in this together, be it COVID, White Supremacists, gun violence, civil unrest around the world, whatever it may be, it affects us all. We must come together in unity. We may not agree on everything, and compromise can be painful, but we can do it.”

Fans can also donate at any Oregon Community Credit Union (OCCU) branch. If you wish to donate with a check, they can be written out to new house for Lyllye Parker and write “1316973” in the memo line. You can also donate using a PayPal Pool: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8xMymFhKhg.

Learn How to Fundraise for Your Nonprofit with the Clearwater Threshers

 

Calling all Travel Baseball Teams, Band Boosters, and Nonprofit Organizations! Are you looking for an opportunity to raise funds for your group? The Clearwater Threshers are seeking NPOs and groups to work gamedays at BayCare Ballpark this summer season.

We are hosting a Zoom Information session for anyone interested in learning more about how to start earning money for your group this summer, as early as this month. The Zoom call will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 18.

To participate, email Justin at [email protected], include “NPO Information Session” in the subject line, you will receive an email invitation to the June 18 call.

We are looking for groups with a current COI and 501-3C status to work in our concession stands for the remainder of the 2021 Threshers season. Roles include, Cashiering, Food Running, Food Portable Attendant, Hot Dog Roller, and Picnic Attendants.

During the information session, we will discuss: Workload, Roles, Pay, Uniform, Length of Hours, How to sign up for particular days, Schedule, and much more.

Join the Threshers Team and raise money for your group!

Dragons to Recognize “Community All-Stars” Recipient During Game on June 9

 

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize The Hope Center for Families as a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Tuesday, June 9th against the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark. The game will start at 7:05 p.m. In addition, half of the 50/50 proceeds will be donated to The Hope Center for Families.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters or police officers, doctors or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

More than half of children in the City of Dayton live below the poverty level. The statistics show that when those children grow up, they are likely to continue the poverty cycle to their children as well. The “poverty cycle” often persists across multiple generations unless that cycle is interrupted through outside intervention.

The Hope Center for Families was developed to interfere with the poverty cycle in Northwest Dayton, giving families the support and hope needed to grow and advance into sustainable living wages.

The Hope Center for Families is an initiative by the Omega Community Development Corporation that focuses on the two-generation model – a model that targets low-income children and their parents simultaneously. The center will focus on the three main factors that aid in the reduction of poverty through workforce, health, and educational development.

Mini University, Sinclair Community College, and Dayton Children’s Hospital will have a significant presence within the Hope Center. Mini University will operate an early learning program within the center. Sinclair Community College will offer certificate programs for adults to further their education, allowing them to gain higher wages. Dayton Children’s Hospital will aid in childcare.

The Center plans to start transforming the lives of the people of Northwest Dayton as soon as the door open in Fall 2021.

Vanessa Ward, Omega Community Development Corporation president, said her dream once the center is open would be that when people walk in, they will be greeted by people that care.

For going above and beyond to improve the quality of life in Miami Valley, The Hope Center for Families is being honored as a Dragons Community All-Star.

Help support the development of The Hope Center for Families at the following links:

· Donate here – https://bit.ly/3gaMS8v

· Learn more here – https://www.omega-cdc.org/hope-center.html

You can nominate other individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for the Dayton community at www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

This event is the second of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Presenting sponsors are Flying Ace Express Carwash, CenterPoint Energy, Great Clips, and Synchrony. Additional tributes are scheduled for July 9, July 27, and September 1 each focused on a different individual or organization who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark and are scheduled to play 48 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

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Dragons to Recognize “Community All-Stars” Recipient During Game on May 27

 

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize Bogg Ministries as a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Thursday, May 27th against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Day Air Ballpark. The game will start at 7:05 p.m.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters or police officers, doctors or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

Bogg Ministries fights food insecurity, which is a reality for more than 100,000 people in the Dayton area. Their mission is to provide needy Daytonians with food, clothing, and other essential items to help them sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Bogg Ministries was founded in 2010 by Jason Barton and Jason Johnson after the two discussed the need for food assistance in Dayton. The two started by going directly to the homes of those who needed assistance. What they found at most homes they visited, was that their neighbors needed assistance as well. Because of that need, they grew the idea of creating community events to maximize their reach.

Bogg went from feeding four families per week to more than 40,000 people in one year with community wide events held at local parks and schools. Each year, Bogg distributes 1.5 million pounds of food to event attendees.

The food is tracked and distributed through mobile food pantries, called Mobile Meals, which allow people to sort through a variety of options, providing the dignity of grocery shopping. Volunteers pack and sort these Mobile Meals two to three days per week in prep for upcoming events.

Bogg’s community-wide events provide food for those who need food assistance and also show those in need that they are loved and supported by their neighbors. The staff at Bogg knows how vital it is for attendees to get that social and emotional support, in addition to the physical support of food and supplies.

For going above and beyond to improve the quality of life in Miami Valley, Bogg Ministries is being honored as a Dragons Community All Star. Learn more about how to help support Bogg Ministries on their website – https://www.thebogg.org/. You can nominate other individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for the Dayton community at www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

This event is the first of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Presenting sponsors are Flying Ace Express Carwash, CenterPoint Energy, Great Clips, and Synchrony. Additional tributes are scheduled for June 9, July 9, July 27, and September 1 each focused on a different individual or organization who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark and are scheduled to play 53 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

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NATURALS NOW SCHEDULING FUNDRAISING GAMES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS 

 

SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are now scheduling 2021 fundraising games for school groups, sports teams, performance groups, and non-profits.Supporters will get to attend a Naturals game and the organization will get to keep a large portion of their ticket sales.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are proud to continue to have a positive impact on Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding communities as over one million dollars has been raised for participating groups since the start of the 2010 season through the team’s fundraising program.

In addition to the funds raised, the Naturals Community Partners Program Presented by Rich Products Corporation, gives non-profits the platform to promote their cause for free at Naturals games throughout the season.

In addition to in-stadium fundraising programs, the Naturals also help out local events through donations and mascot appearances.

Visit www.nwanaturals.com, call us at (479) 927-4076, or email [email protected] to learn more about the Naturals fundraising program.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return to Arvest Ballpark tomorrow night – Tuesday, May 25th – to face the San Antonio Missions (Double-A Padres), which begins a stretch of 12 home games in 13 days.

The Naturals are the Double-A Central Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including tickets, group events and more, visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

Portland Sea Dogs and KeyBank team up for KeyBank Assists Program 

 

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Sea Dogs and KeyBank, a long-time sponsor, are collaborating on a #KeyBank Assists in-game promotion to support Portland-based nonprofit Cooking for Community. For every assist recorded by the Sea Dogs during ALL home games throughout the entire season, KeyBank pledges a donation of $10 per assist, up to $10,000 total for the season.

“The Sea Dogs are proud to partner with KeyBank to assist Cooking for Community and their mission to feed those in need and support local restaurants,” Said Geoff Iacuessa, the president and general manager of the Portland Sea Dogs. “KeyBank shares our commitment to the community, together we can hit out of the park to help to make a lasting impact.”

Cooking for Community is an all-volunteer organization addressing hunger in Maine by hiring local restaurants and food producers economically impacted by the pandemic to prepare healthy meals for people who are food insecure. The nonprofit’s social service affiliates then distribute these comforting, easy-to-reheat meals to underserved populations. Ninety-eight percent of all funding raised by Cooking for Community goes directly to restaurant and food-producing partners. Since its inception in early April 2020, over 100,000 meals have been purchased to feed the hungry and support local restaurants and growers who are central to our community and the economic viability of Maine’s vibrant food culture.

“We are honored and grateful to be selected by the Portland Sea Dogs and Keybank as the recipient of their #Keybank Assists fundraising efforts. The support raised by this collaboration will fuel our work supporting local restaurants and feeding our most needy neighbors, dishing out nourishment and dignity to many.” Ellie Linen Low, Organizer, Cooking for Community.

KeyBank’s involvement in the Sea Dog’s in-game promotion is part of the bank’s #KeyBank Assists program, launched a year ago to support local businesses and communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, #KeyBank Assists has donated more than $550,000 to communities across the bank’s 15-state footprint and supported 38 charities and 105 small businesses. KeyBank’s donation through the Sea Dog promotion will go directly to Cooking for Community to support small businesses in Maine’s food producing industries, as well as help to fight hunger across the state.

“COVID-19 and its impact has touched so many in our community, particularly those already in vulnerable situations, including restaurants and other small businesses that are so important to our local economy,” said KeyBank Maine Market President. Chip Kelley. “We are proud to partner with the Portland Sea Dogs and Cooking for Community to help fight hunger and support a number of local small businesses in this innovative way.”

KeyBank currently has 42 branches in Maine. The bank has been a sponsor of the Portland Sea Dogs since the inaugural season in 1994.

Learn more about the KeyBank Assists at www.key.com/keybankassists.

About Portland Sea Dogs:

The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A Northeast League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. In 28 seasons the Sea Dogs have welcomed over 10 million fans to Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. The Sea Dogs have been awarded two of Minor League Baseball’s most coveted awards, the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, Minor League Baseball’s most prestigious award, and the Bob Freitas Award, which is presented by Baseball America for long-term success. The Sea Dogs’ “Strike Out Cancer in Kids” program has raised over 5 million dollars for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Over 300 Sea Dogs players have played in the Major Leagues including some of today’s Red Sox stars including Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and Christian Vazquez. For more information on the Sea Dogs visit seadogs.com. Follow the Sea Dogs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

*About KeyCorp/KeyBank: *

KeyCorp’s roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $176.2 billion at March 31, 2021. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,100 branches and more than 1,400 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

About Cooking for Community:

Cooking for Community, a Portland, Maine-based non-profit organization, formed in April 2020 in response to the local economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Restaurants and food suppliers were in trouble, people were hungry and social service agencies were stretched thin. We asked a daring question: What if we created a model that could address these issues – _simultaneously_? Thus, Cooking for Community came together to raise money to support restaurants to prepare nourishing meals; to encourage them to use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible; to coordinate with our agency partners to get the food where it was most needed. Our success is humbling. Over the past year, Cooking for Community has provided over 100,000 meals. We are an all-volunteer organization, with countless hours logged by a dedicated team of professionals who put this work into motion. As a result, we keep our overhead to near-nothing with 98 percent of monies raised going directly to programming. Combining these leadership efforts with support from hundreds of donors, advisors, organizers, kitchen workers, chefs, harvesters, and creative and nonprofit professionals enables us to achieve goals no single entity can deliver alone. Visit: https://www.cookingforcommunity.org/

Timber Rattlers Team up with Bayland Buildings for Community Spotlight Program

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are proud to announce the Bayland Buildings Community Spotlight Program. This program will recognize an area charitable organization at every remaining home game during the 2021 season.

“The Timber Rattlers are excited to partner with Bayland Buildings to offer the Community Spotlight Program this season. This opportunity will allow local nonprofits a chance to educate our fans about their cause,” said Dayna Baitinger, Timber Rattlers Director of Community Relations.

Each participating organization will be given a space prior to the game to display and distribute promotional literature about their organization, be recognized on the video board, and receive a 15-second public address announcement.

Groups will also receive up to twenty general admission grass seats to the game for volunteers and any other guests in their organization who would like to attend.

To apply as a participating organization in the program, please print and complete this form on the Timber Rattlers website and return it to:

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
ATTN: Community Spotlight
PO Box 7464
Appleton, WI 54913

Interested organizations may also email their completed application to [email protected].

The Timber Rattlers do ask that participants in the program adhere to the following rules:

Solicitation of funds will not be permitted.

Your organization will be given one 6-foot table to display/hand out information.

Your volunteers must stay within your designated area (6-foot table) to hand out information.

Your organization may enter the ballpark starting 2 hours before the game to set up.

Anyone entering the ballpark with your organization must have a ticket upon arrival (including volunteers working the table.)

We will provide the volunteers tickets that will be placed at will call for pick up when they arrive.

You will be allowed to hand out information for the 1.5 hours leading up to First Pitch.

We ask that you please take down all materials and dispose of all garbage before you leave to enjoy the game.

We take pride in the cleanliness of our ballpark and ask that you please do not leave anything behind.

Ticket packages and single-game tickets for every remaining game this season are available now from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers ticket office by calling (920) 733-4152, stopping at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium, or online through the team’s website. The ticket office is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Jumbo Shrimp, Hearts 4 Minds to unveil mural on May 30 to raise mental health awareness

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Hearts 4 Minds, Inc. are excited to create positive change in crafting a community mural designed to bring the entire community of Jacksonville together. The mural is being sponsored by Baptist Health and will be unveiled at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 30 at 121 Financial Ballpark. Its theme touches on the importance of addressing mental health.

The Jumbo Shrimp and Hearts 4 Minds mural will be made up of handprints and will also include a QR code to connect people in Jacksonville to needed resources to address mental health. This original mural will be the first mental health mural in Jacksonville and represents the launch of a broader city-wide campaign to raise awareness about mental health. The mural is a reminder that each person has the power to change in the palm of their own hand.

“The Jumbo Shrimp are proud to be great partners in the launch of this initiative,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “Mental health touches every aspect of our community, and we are proud to do our part to bring access to resources to all of Jacksonville.”

Hearts 4 Minds’ core mission is about saving lives. With Mental Health America reporting that nearly 60 percent of those in the United States are not getting the help they need and stigma being one of the largest barriers to the help, Hearts 4 Minds seeks to connect people in need with mental health providers or a supportive community, partnering with hospitals and medical providers to change the healthcare ecosystem and developing programs that break the stigma of mental illness. Hearts 4 Minds believes that when people normalize the conversation regarding mental health, it can save lives.

“We are very excited for our fans to be included in the unveiling of this beautiful mural at 121 Financial Ballpark,” Jumbo Shrimp Senior Director of Community Engagement Andrea Williams said. “Thank you to Hearts 4 Minds in working with our organization to help inspire positive change, and we cannot wait to see the unveiling on May 30.”

The Jumbo Shrimp host the Durham Bulls at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, May 30. The mural will be unveiled prior to the game and fans are invited to take pictures and engage on social media in regards to it. Mental health resource partners will also be on-hand that day at 121 Financial Ballpark.

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

Non-profit organizations invited to fundraise by operating 121 Financial Ballpark concessions

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are inviting non-profit organizations to help contribute to the exceptional 121 Financial Ballpark fan experience while fundraising through operation of the ballpark’s concession stands and other portable ballpark food areas.

The Jumbo Shrimp’s concession fundraising program helps make a difference while also supporting contracted non-profit organizations to reach their fundraising goals. The program has supported churches, youth sports, food banks, booster clubs, private schools and civic groups. In addition to potentially raising thousands of dollars for their organizations, groups learn to work as a team, operating in an honest, ethical and enjoyable atmosphere.

“We are incredibly excited to expand our concession fundraising program to even bigger heights,” said Jumbo Shrimp Executive Vice President/General Manager Harold Craw. “It has been amazing to help such a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the past through this very program, and we look forward to doing that even more throughout the 2021 season.”

Non-profits interested in joining the Jumbo Shrimp’s concession fundraising program should contact Senior Director, Community Engagement Andrea Williiams at [email protected].

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