Lexington Legends donations top $800,000 for the 2012 season

The Lexington Legends announced donations for the 2012 season totaling $800,629.43 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving Central Kentucky. The Ivy Walls Charitable Giving Foundation Fund at Bluegrass Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Legends and business sponsors, presented checks to organization representatives today in the Kentucky Ale Taproom at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington-based organization that manages the operation of Minor League Baseball teams, including the Legends.

In its 12-year history, the Legends organization has donated more than $11 million to the region.

“It’s a pleasure to work with the representatives of these organizations all year round,” said Legends Director of Community Relations and Special Events Sarah Bosso. “We’re looking forward to another great year in 2013.”

“The Legends have always made community involvement a high priority,” added Legends President/COO Andy Shea. “This event is a nice celebration that brings our business partners together with the organizations that we are proud to support.”

Among organizations receiving funds were:

Autism Society of the Bluegrass: Autism Awareness Night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark was sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University, which purchased special caps worn by Legends players in that night’s game. The caps were auctioned after the game to support the Autism Society.

Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council: Sponsored by Windstream, a $25 donation was made to the Boy Scouts for every double or triple by a Legends player during home games.

Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition (BMAC) Kentucky Wounded Warriors: The Legends supported BMAC with an auction of autographed baseballs and equipment on Military Appreciation Night July 28.

Breast Cancer Research and Awareness: Sleep Outfitters donated five dollars for every strikeout recorded by Legends’ pitchers during home games. The total donated was divided among three organizations: The Pink Connection, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment; The Markey Cancer Center, established in 1983 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. The Legends and Sleep Outfitters also hold an annual dinner, with proceeds going to those same three breast cancer charities. In addition, pink jerseys worn by Legends players in that night’s game are sold through a silent auction.

Folds of Honor: For every run the Legends scored at home in 2012, Kentucky Eagle donated $10 to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to spouses and dependents of military personnel who were killed or disabled in military operations.

Kentucky Children’s Hospital: For every stolen base by a Legends’ player during a home game, Insight donated $10 to Kentucky Children’s Hospital, which provides advanced care for children, including specialized emergency transport and Level III Care at the Neonatal ICU.

LexArts: LexArts, Lexington’s cultural development, advocacy and fund raising organization, was a beneficiary of the 2012 Whitaker Insurance Group W.I.G. 5K run/walk held at Whitaker Bank Ballpark August 25.

P.A.W.S.: Sponsored by IncrediPet, two “Bark in the Park” nights were held during the 2012 season, on which dog owners were invited to bring their dogs to a Legends game. The “admission” price for dogs was a donation to the Paris Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.)

Salvation Army: The Whitaker Bank Piggy Bank stationed on the concourse gave Legends’ fans an opportunity to make donations to the Salvation Army.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation: The volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers was another beneficiary of the 2012 Whitaker Insurance Group W.I.G. 5K run/walk held at Whitaker Bank Ballpark August 25.

St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program: At the end of every baseball season, the Legends hold a silent auction for the home jerseys worn during the season with proceeds going to the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program.

United Way of the Bluegrass: The United Way was the beneficiary of the LexMark Softball Invitational in July. The Legends also worked with United Way on ticket giveaways to United Way donors, listed below.

In-kind donations

The Legends also make substantial in-kind donations throughout the year to many groups and organizations, including a long-standing relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass. Donors to the annual United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game. In the 2012 season, more than 38,000 box seat tickets were given to United Way donors.

In-kind projects were also associated with YMCA of Central Kentucky, Lexington Clinic, American Diabetes Association, Bluegrass Regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, DanceBlue, a student-run philanthropy at the University of Kentucky, and Hit the Books, a joint effort between the Legends and Chick-Fil-A to encourage Central Kentucky students to read.

More than 35,000 Kids Taking Fisher Cats Reading Challenge

Students at Henry McLaughlin Middle School join Slider for the Fisher Cats Reading Challenge presented by CCSNH.
Students at Henry McLaughlin Middle School join Slider for the Fisher Cats Reading Challenge presented by CCSNH.

It’s only November, and already nearly 35,000 children have been introduced to the Fisher Cats Reading Challenge, presented by the Community College System of New Hampshire.  Those kids represent almost 100 schools that are using the challenge to highlight the importance of reading in a fun way.

Fungo and Slider, the Fisher Cats’ mascots, are visiting schools and delivering bookmarks with a special challenge.  Each student who reads at least five books outside their normal school curriculum will receive a pair of tickets to a Fisher Cats Reading Challenge Night during the 2013 season, courtesy of CCSNH.  On the night of their game, they’ll be honored during a pre-game parade highlighting their achievements.

These students are also representing their schools in a team competition.  The school with the highest percentage of participation could win up to $3,000 from the Fisher Cats Foundation.

By the end of the school year, the challenge is expected to reach more than 55,000 students in over 150 schools throughout New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.  To get your school involved in the challenge, contact Meg Shea at (603) 641-2005 ext. 102 or mshea@nhfishercats.com.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Click here to view the original story.

RailRiders Plan Salute to Military

Searching for Area Foursomes to Honor Each Game

The team has honored our nation's armed forces in the past, but it will become a nightly event at the reconstructed PNC Field in 2013.
The team has honored our nation’s armed forces in the past, but it will become a nightly event at the reconstructed PNC Field in 2013.

MOOSIC, Pa. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ community outreach continues. Today, the team announced a new initiative for the 2013 season that will pay tribute to those that serve in our nation’s armed forces and their loved ones in NEPA.

Each 2013 home game will spotlight these local heroes with recognition on the video board at PNC Field, the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and four field reserved seats to enjoy the game. The team is actively searching for a title sponsor of the program that will all the more solidify PNC Field as NEPA’s community ballpark.

“I could not be more thrilled to create a program like this that in some small way helps say thank you to those in uniform and their loved ones,” said Rob Crain, president and general manager of the club. “Many kids look up to our ballplayers, and we certainly appreciate that, but these are the true heroes living right next door to us.”

Area veterans, active military and families thereof are encouraged to submit their military story to the team’s community relations department. E-mails can be sent to SWB’s community relations manager, Rachel Mark, at rmark@swbyankees.com. Or fans may mail their tales to the address below:

SWB RailRiders
ATTN: Community Relations
50 Glenmaura National Blvd., Suite 101
Moosic, PA 18507

-All Aboard-

 

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.

Blue Rocks 2012 Holiday Card Contest Underway

WilmingtonBlueRocks_2012-11-08

 

WILMINGTON, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks welcome all students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade to participate in the 2012 Blue Rocks Holiday Card Contest. Entries for the 2012 Blue Rocks Holiday Card Contest are now being accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28. The winning entry will be the cover of the Blue Rocks Holiday Card. The winner will receive 10 tickets to Opening Night and a baseball autographed by the whole team!

All entrants will receive two tickets to a 2013 Blue Rocks game. The winner will be announced on November 30. Each entrant will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to a game in 2013. The grand prize winner will receive a team-signed ball, 10 tickets to a game and will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Art teachers and parents can send their entries to:
Wilmington Blue Rocks
Attn. Holiday Card Contest
801 Shipyard Drive
Wilmington, DE 19801

When returning entries, please be sure the student’s name, address, phone number, school and grade are written CLEARLY on the back of the entry. Entries should be submitted on an 8.5″ by 11″ sheet of paper and will become property of the Wilmington Blue Rocks and will not be returned. Please note that the Blue Rocks offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. We thank everyone for their participation and Happy Holidays. Good luck!

The Wilmington Blue Rocks open the 2013 season on the Riverfront against the Frederick Keys on Friday, April 12 at 7:05 p.m.

Blue Rocks Baseball = AffordaFUNability!www.bluerocks.com

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Click here to view the original story.

Sandersville Elementary celebrates ‘Hit the Books’ win

Sandersville Elementary School students held a celebration Friday after winning the Lexington Legends/Chick-fil-A “Hit the Books” Reading Program contest for 2012.

In “Hit the Books,” a baseball diamond is used to record credit for a student’s reading. For every book a student reads, a teacher places his or her initials on a base. When the student has all three bases and home plate initialed by the teacher, the student may bring a “Hit the Books” bookmark to the Legends’ box office at Whitaker Bank Ballpark to exchange it for two tickets.

The 2012 season was the 12th for Legends baseball, and also marked the 12th year that the Legends have been associated with the “Hit the Books” program. About 125,000 central Kentucky students have participated.

During the 2012 season, Sandersville Elementary students redeemed 260 bookmarks – more than any other school. All 800 students and faculty were rewarded with a free chicken nugget party, with the Legends’ Big L and the Chick-fil-A cow serving as hosts.

“Hit the Books reading incentive program is designed to encourage kids to read books in and away from school,” said Sarah Piester, the Legends’ director of community relations. “We believe the program generates a greater enjoyment of reading while tying it to baseball. We were thrilled with the number of students who participated overall and could not be more proud of Sandersville Elementary students for their accomplishment.”

Sandersville Elementary School students celebrated their win in the Lexington Legends/Chick-fil-A Hit the Books Reading Program with a chicken nuggets party Friday at the school. The Chick-fil-A cow and the Legends “Big L” served as hosts. (Photo: Lexington Legends – Sarah Piester) 

 

 

 

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

Blood Drive Comes to State Mutual Stadium

The Rome Braves and the America Red Cross announce that a Blood Drive will be held at the Three Rivers Club on Tuesday August 21st from noon until 5 p.m.

All presenting donors will receive a Free T-Shirt and 2 tickets to a Rome Braves game.

Call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code RBraves to schedule an appointment. Walk ins are welcome.

For more information call the Braves at 706-378-5100.

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

Receive great ticket offer when you help “2 Pack a Backpack”

Bisons encourage school donations at August 3 fridaynightbash!

The Buffalo Bisons announced that they will be partnering with Anthony Baldi & Associates to encourage fans “2 PACK A BACKPACK” to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo during the team’s “Zombie Night fridaynightbash!®” against the Syracuse Chiefs on Friday, August 3 at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.).

All fans that donate a backpack and/or other school supplies prior to the Bisons game on August 3 will Receive a Buy-One, Get-One Ticket Voucher that can be used at any remaining 2012 Bisons game. That includes any of the team’s remaining fridaynightbash!® games of the season: August 10, August 17 and August 24.

In addition to backpacks, fans can also donate notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, calculators, erasers, glue, scissors, and numerous other school supplies. There will be several collection areas throughout the stadium.

For more information, fans can visit Bisons.com or call the team at (716) 846-2211.

Zombie Night
The Bisons are holding “Zombie Night,” presented by Terror Technologies on August 3 in an attempt to set the Guinness Book of World Records for the most zombies in one place. Fans are encouraged to wear costumes to the game or take advantage of several make-up stations throughout the concourse. As customary with every fridaynightbash!® in 2012, Friday’s game will also include a pre-game  “Bisons Happy Hour” (5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) with 14 oz Flying Bison craft beers for only $2 as well as post game fireworks.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo serves over 8,000 youths in Western New York every year. The “2 Pack a Backpack” initiative provides local children with school supplies that they could not normally afford. The supplies will make a great difference for thousands of children just in time for the new school year.  Anthony Baldi & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., is partnering with the Bisons yet again to promote this worthy cause.

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

Premera Care-A-Van Provides Smiles and Hope to Local Children

Spokane, WA – For over 10 years the Spokane Indians and Premera Blue Cross have teamed up for the Premera Care-A-Van, a program where children in local hospitals receive a visit from OTTO the Mascot and current Indians players. The first of three Care-A-Van visits is today at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Premera Blue Cross and the Indians to bring hope to children at our local hospitals,” said Senior Vice President Otto Klein. “These brave kids are going through a lot and its rewarding for all of us to see smiles on their faces.”

In addition to the visit from players and mascots, the children will receive a Care-A-Van Backpack full of Spokane Indians items courtesy of Premera Blue Cross. The Indians also provide tickets for former patients who have now recovered and are living in the Spokane area.

“I’ll never forget how happy the kids were to see us and how much our visit lifted their spirits,” said former Indians player Brett Nicholas. “I’m glad to see the program will continue in 2012, and that new players will be able to experience what I did.”

The Indians and Premera Blue Cross have three Care-A-Vans planned for this year, including today at Sacred Heart, August 14th at Deaconess Medical Center, and August 21st at Shriners Hospital for Children. All media are invited to attend.

For more information about the Premera Care-A-Van program, please call (509) 535-2922.

Tonight’s game is the second game of a three game series against the Tri-City Dust Devils and is Baseball Hat Giveaway presented by Pepsi, Arby’s, and The Inlander. The first 1,000 fans and all Banner Bank Diamond Club Members will receive a FREE limited edition Spokane Indians Baseball Hat. Also tonight, kids are encouraged to stick around after the game for the Supercuts Post-Game Circle the Bases promotion. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for all Spokane Indians home games are available for purchase at the Indians Ticket Office or at spokaneindians.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or TicketsWest at 1-800-325-SEAT.

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

Marauders Reward Commitment to Reading

Enjoy the summer with books, baseball and pizza

Bradenton-MaraudersThe Bradenton Marauders have launched the Marauders Reading Scores Program to get Manatee County children reading this summer. Manatee County elementary school students that read four books and complete a Reading Scores card provided by the Marauders can redeem the card for a free ticket to a Marauders game and a coupon for one free 10-inch small cheese pizza from Papa John’s.

The Marauders Reading Scores Program is presented by Papa John’s Pizza, the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee Education Foundation, and the School District of Manatee County. Reading Scores cards are available at McKechnie Field, the front desk at Pirate City, and Manatee County libraries.

Manatee-Cnty-SchoolsEach time a child reads a book, he or she can color in one base on their Marauders Reading Scores card, write the book’s title in the assigned space under the base, and have a parent or guardian sign the form. After reading their fourth book of the summer, home plate can be colored in and the card is ready to be exchanged. Turn the card in at the McKechnie Field box office for a free Marauders ticket to any non-Wednesday game and a coupon for a free small chesse pizza from Papa John’s.

The Marauders Reading Scores program is part of the Bradenton Marauders’ commitment to making a positive impact in their local community. Helping children learn not only to read, but to enjoy reading, is important to improving educational success. Marty the Marauder and several Marauders players visited the Manatee County Central Library in Bradenton Monday to promote childhood reading.

“Reading is the building block of learning,” Marauders pitcher Jason Townsend said. “Everything starts with reading.”

Fellow pitcher Kenn Kasparek echoed Townsend’s sentiments.

“Read to succeed isn’t just a saying,” Kasparek said. “Reading enhances your hunger for knowledge.”

For more information about the Marauders Reading Scores Program, call 941-747-3031 or email MaraudersInfo@Pirates.com.

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

Team Urges Kids To “Hit The Books”

COLCHESTER, VT – At the Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester on June 28th, Vermont Lake Monster pitchers’ Kurt Wunderlich and Tucker Healy read to approximately 50 kids, promoting reading among children with the Lake Monsters ‘Hit the Books’ program sponsored by Price Chopper.

“It is so wonderful for the players to take time out of their schedules to read to children in different communities.” Youth Service Librarian Hannah Peters said. “I think it is important for the players to read to the kids too as it reminds them about the importance of education while pursuing your dream of being a professional athlete or any other vocation. The connection to literacy is an essential component to the program.”

Both pitchers believe that reading is an important activity for kids- Wunderlich saying that when kids read “they get to use their imagination… because sometimes they don’t have pictures.” Healy agreed with his teammate’s sentiments, saying that the “[kids’] vocabulary can grow from reading… [learning new words] and how those go together with other words and sentences.”

The ‘Hit the Books’ program, which is open to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade, calls for kids to read four books and send in an entry by August 1st. In return, the child will receive a ticket for a Lake Monsters baseball game this summer for their efforts. There is also an on-field recognition ceremony for all the kids who participated in the program on the September 1st game against the Tri-City ValleyCats.

For more information on the ‘Hit the Books’ program call the Lake Monsters at 802-655-4200. Forms may be mailed to the Lake Monsters at 1 King Street Ferry Dock, Burlington, Vermont 05401.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

Donate Blood, Save a Life this Friday

Blood drive at Fluor Field from 11 AM to 7 PM

Receive a complimentary t-shirt and tickets to the Drive's June 24th game.
Receive a complimentary t-shirt and tickets to the Drive’s June 24th game.

The Drive and The Blood Connection are teaming up to help save lives this Friday, June 8th. Be a “Major League Donor” by donating blood from 11 AM to 7 PM at one of eight locations, including Fluor Field.

Each donor will receive a complimentary t-shirt and two tickets to the Drive’s Sunday, June 24th game versus the Charleston RiverDogs.

Those donating at Fluor Field will also receive a complimentary hot dog, bag of chips, and 12 ounce Pepsi product.

While first pitch for that game is at 4 PM, donoros will receive early admittance to the ballpark for the “Donor Appreciation Day” event from 1 PM to 3 PM.

The Donor Appreciation event will feature complimentary hot dogs, chips and drinks, clowns, balloonists, face painters, inflatable games, and activities for kids. Fans can even meet Drive players, and their lovable mascot, Reedy Rip’It from 2 PM to 3 PM.

Those wishing to donate during Friday’s Blood Drive 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.

2012 Itron Champions Program Schools Selected

SpokaneIndians_2012-06-06
The Itron Champions Program donates 250 tickets to schools to encourage hard work in the classroom.

Spokane, WA–The Spokane Indians announced today that Madison Elementary and Logan Elementary have been selected to participate in this year’s Itron Champions Program.  Every year, the Itron Champions Program provides two low-income Spokane schools with a visit from OTTO the Mascot and 250 Indians tickets to distribute to their students as a reward for good attendance, hard work, and achievement in the classroom.

“We love bringing the Itron Champions Program to schools and getting kids excited about learning,” said Indians Senior Vice President, Otto Klein. “This is a great opportunity for the Indians to support our local schools and students.”

Logan Elementary will have their assembly on Thursday, June 7th at 1:00 p.m. while Madison Elementary will have their assembly on Monday, June 11th at 2:15 p.m.

“Supporting young people is of great importance to Itron and that is why we are proud to support local students through the Itron Champions Program,” said Diane Vanos, Manager, Community Investment. “Encouraging hard work, good attendance and achievement in the classroom today will help shape the future leaders of tomorrow.”

All media members are invited to attend the assemblies.

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. The Indians open the 2012 season on Friday, June 15th against the Vancouver Canadians with Opening Night Fireworks & AAA Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by Les Schwab Tires, KREM-2 TV, 93.7 The Mountain, and SportsRadio 1510 KGA. Single game tickets for the 2012 season are now available for purchase at the Indians Ticket Office or at spokaneindians.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886).
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Spokane Indians. Click here to view the original story.

Offer to students: Report card good for free ticket

(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) The Lexington Legends are helping students celebrate the end of the school year.

Students who bring their final report card for the spring semester to the Legends box office will receive a free reserved box seat or general admission ticket for the games of May 21 through May 23 and May 28 through May 30 (one ticket per card).

The Legends will play the West Virginia Power, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, at Whitaker Bank Ballpark May 21, 22, and 23.

May 28-30, the Legends will take on the Augusta GreenJackets, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

Game time for all six games is 7:05 p.m.

For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit www.lexingtonlegends.com.

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

Rutgers Against Hunger Food Drive – April 25th

Hosted by BlueClaws Charities and benefits Lunch Break of Red Bank

Fans who donate will receive two tickets to an April or May BlueClaws game.
Fans who donate will receive two tickets to an April or May BlueClaws game.

LAKEWOOD, NJ – The BlueClaws are partnering with the Rutgers Against Hunger program and hosting a joint food drive on Wednesday, April 25th. Fans are asked to kindly donate non-perishable food items at this game and all donors will receive two complimentary tickets to a BlueClaws game in April or May.

All food collected will be donated to Lunch Break of Red Bank, a BlueClaws Charities Community Partner.

“There has been an increase among those who need food assistance in the last year and the BlueClaws are pleased to be able to continue to help fight hunger in New Jersey,” said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. “We are grateful to Rutgers Against Hunger for their support as we raise food donations for a worthy cause, Lunch Break of Red Bank.”

The April 25th game begins at 6:35 pm and serves as Community Partner Night at FirstEnergy Park. There will be a large representation at the game among the 45 BlueClaws Charities Community Partners who will have tables on the concourse. Many volunteers from these organizations will be present as well.

In addition, the first 2,000 fans will receive a BlueClaws magnetic schedule courtesy of Investors Bank.

Rutgers Against Hunger works to increase awareness of hunger, encourage activism and service to tackle hunger, stimulate research to assist those in need, and provide immediate relief through food drives and other events to raise money and collect food.

Rutgers Against Hunger partners with the New Jersey Federation of Food Banks which includes The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, and NORWESCAP Food Bank as well as several other community food banks and pantries throughout the state. Visit RAH.Rutgers.edu for more information.

BlueClaws Charities, the official non-profit foundation of the Lakewood BlueClaws, rasies money throughout the year and returns the money to the community in the form of grants to the 45 Community Partners and donations to other non-profit organizations.

While the program is sold out for 2012, with any questions about the program, to be added to a waiting list for 2013, or for other ways your organization can raise money with the BlueClaws, please call Jim McNamara at 732-901-7000 ext 176.

– BlueClaws –

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

Wild About Reading Concludes For 2012

A record 97,000 students are striving to read 970,000 books

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Grizzlies have announced that its extensive, award-winning Wild About Reading program enrolled over 97,000 students across the Central Valley in 2012, setting a new record for total enrolled students. The seven-year-old program experienced an increase of over 26,000 students from last year’s previous record of 71,000 students.

“It is amazing to see the amount of interested schools and students for Wild About Reading this year,” said Grizzlies’ Community Relations Manager Ryan Moran. “To watch the program grow to extraordinary levels over the last couple of years, we are proud of the Central Valley students that are striving to reach their reading goal and cannot wait to see them at a Grizzlies game.”

The reading program encourages students to read 10 books in five weeks. If a student reaches the goal, he or she receives two free tickets to a 2012 Grizzlies home game. Students can redeem their tickets for the specific game date designated to their school. This year’s Wild About Reading game dates are April 15, April 20, April 29, May 11, June 3 and June 10.

In addition to the goal of reading 10 books, Wild About Reading features an interactive assembly held at schools from as far north as Merced to a southern-most reach of Lemoore. In 2012, Grizzlies mascot Parker, Eddie the Owl from EECU and the Grizzlies front office staff performed the assembly at 165 schools. The program runs for three months from January to March.

Wild About Reading is presented by PG&E, National Parks Conservation Association, Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU), Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, and Ruiz Foods.

The Fresno Grizzlies kick off their 15th season in Fresno on Friday, April 13th when they take on the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Fans are encouraged to Orange Out Opening Day for the 7:05 pm game. Tickets are available through the Chukchansi Park Box Office, online at www.FresnoGrizzlies.com or by calling 559.320.TIXS.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fresno Grizzlies. Click here to view the original story.