All-American Blood Drive

The Oklahoma City RedHawks and OBI (Oklahoma Blood Institute) hosted the All-American Blood Drive to help ensure Oklahoma’s blood supply on Independence Day weekend 2011.

The motto of the day: FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.

The event was held at RedHawks Field at Bricktown from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011. Oklahomans were encoured to give blood (if 16 years of age and older) to receive 2 tickets to the RedHawks 4th of July game and fireworks show. Free parking and hotdogs were also available on July 1st for all of the blood donors. All that just for giving blood and showing Oklahoman pride!

Joplin relief efforts total over $6,500

Club has held jersey, memorabilia auctions during homestand

Naturals' catcher Ryan Eigsti helps serve up a meal in Jolin on Monday, June 6th. (Fran Johnson)
Naturals’ catcher Ryan Eigsti helps serve up a meal in Jolin on Monday, June 6th. (Fran Johnson)

SPRINGDALE, AR – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals visited the tornado stricken city of Joplin, Missouri on Monday on the heels of a six-game homestand that saw the Naturals collect $6,659.66 in donations and nearly $7,000 total in cash and items to contribute to the relief effort.

The donations will be made to the Red Cross of Northwest Arkansas and highlighted during the game during a short check presentation on the field.

Catcher Ryan Eigsti along with left-handed pitcher Buddy Baumann, General Manager Eric Edelstein, and the Naturals’ mascot Strike visited Joplin earlier Monday to assist in serving a lunch to tornado victims and volunteers helping with the relief efforts.

During the first five games of the Naturals’ current six-game homestand, the club has held a jersey auction, sports memorabilia auction, nightly post-game launch-a-ball, and optional donations at Red Dirt Outfitters. The club also extended an offer for free tickets for Joplin residents during this homestand.

In addition, the Naturals’ parent club, the Kansas City Royals, via its Royals Charities non-profit arm made a $25,000 donation to Heart to Heart International for its relief efforts in the city of Joplin. In addition, Royals fans generously contributed more than $18,000 during an in-stadium collection held earlier this homestand that will benefit the American Red Cross relief efforts.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Click here to view the original story.

Mississippi Braves and Bass Pro Shops Flood Relief Efforts

The Mississippi Braves along with Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, and Uncle Bucks Grills have joined forces to aid the victims of the Mississippi River Floods.

On Monday, May 30, 2011, The Braves and Bass Pro Shops presented a $5,000 check to The Salvation Army to help jump start the relief effort. Furthermore, prominent members of the community such as Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner, Vice President of Business Development for MiLB Tina Gust, and Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers came to show their support and encouragement during this tragic time. The Salvation Army’s Jackson, MS Area Coordinator/Corps Officer Captain Ken Chapman, U.S. Congressman Gregg Harper, Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, MS State Representative Ray Rogers, and MS State Senator Dean Kirby also attended the pre-game ceremony.

The Braves further aided the cause by donating 100% of the revenue generated by a special silent auction during the game. The silent auction featured various items for fans to bid on, such as autographed baseballs, bats, photos, and jerseys of various Braves players.

As a further way of providing assistance, the M-Braves encouraged fans to donate items such as clothing, shoes, water, non-perishable food items, and personal hygiene items to The Salvation Army. The Braves did so by providing fans who donated items to the cause a 50 percent discount on field seat tickets. Plus, the first 500 fans that donated items to the relief effort received their choice of a free Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann or Jeff Francoeur 8 x 10 color photo.

The Braves are still encouraging fans to continue to donate items for the relief effort, and drop them off at Trustmark Park throughout the year.

Check presentation to The Salvation Army. (From left to Right: General Manager of Bass Pro Shops Patrick Renegar, Jackson, MS Area Coordinator/Corps Officer Captain Ken Chapman, and General Manager of the Mississippi Braves Steve DeSalvo
General Manager Steve DeSalvo helping load the donated items onto the Salvation Army Truck.

Tour de Habitat

OremOwlz_2011-06-02

The Orem Owlz and Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will be teaming up on Saturday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. for the Third Annual Tour de Habitat, Lakes to Peaks Bicycle Ride. Owlz mascots Hootz and Holly will be the guests of honor to kick off the Family Ride which will be part of the pre-parade activity for the Orem Summerfest. Those participating in the Family Ride will receive reserved seating for parade viewing later that evening, an event t-shirt, and Owlz 2011 game tickets. For more details and to register please visit www.habitatuc.org/events/tour-de-habitat.html.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Orem Owlz. Click here to view the original story.

RiverDogs Community Outreach Branches Out

Community outreach is nothing new to the Charleston RiverDogs as the leader of the Lowcountry’s professional sports team clearly sets the bar.  But in return for the overwhelming support the region has provided the RiverDogs over the years, the team is happy to extend itself in return.

At beautiful Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, that philanthropic spirit can be witnessed through our weekly “Dogs with a Cause Night,” where local nonprofit organizations promote their worthy causes to patrons at home games that fall on Mondays.  Away from the friendly confines, the “Be Your Own Fan” mission shines through in the “Reading and Running with the RiverDogs” program for schoolchildren, as well as monthly community service projects staffed by RiverDogs employees during the offseason.

This year, the RiverDogs are pleased to announce partnerships with Lowcountry Food Bank, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, Water Missions International and Teacher Supply Closet, which all position themselves to better help the Holy City and surrounding areas.

“Being a part of the mainstream community is vital to us and we’d like to think that we’re making a difference,” said General Manager Dave Echols.  “Of course, we offer wholesome, family entertainment at a most reasonable price and pretty good baseball at the same time.”

In conjunction with local grocer Piggly Wiggly, RiverDogs fans have the opportunity to aid the needy and catch every ballgame with a special two-for-one rate by donating two canned food items to the Lowcountry Food Bank.  With a grassroots network of more than 320 member agencies providing hunger-relief services throughout the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina, the Lowcountry Food Bank has been a pillar in the Charleston community since 1983.

Our “Raising Cane Launch-A-Ball” promotion has long been a popular part of the gameday experience as fans purchase $1 tennis balls and takes aim at on-field targets after each game for the chance to win tickets and cash.

This season, however, one has the ability to “have a ball” while supplying funds for the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy in their quest to lend a helping hand to emergency agencies and personnel in the Charleston area during emergency situations.  Half of the proceeds from the “Launch-A-Ball” postgame throw will be donated to the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, which has proven a comforting presence in trying times, including the 2007 Sofa Super Store tragic fire that claimed the lives of nine of Charleston’s firefighters.

On the concourse this season, the Riley Park faithful may notice the Living Water Treatment System that Water Missions International has provided.  A nonprofit Christian engineering organization, Water Missions International constructs these systems to allow for simple, durable water purification in developing countries and disaster areas.

Located near the left field line adjacent to the customer relations desk, Water Missions International is able to support a community of 3,000-5,000 people with the treated water.  The RiverDogs are pleased to provide the space and hope that loyal supporters will strive to find out how they can help provide clean water as “the source of life” and add to the more than two million people that have received relief and hope through Water Missions International’s work.

Last but certainly not least is the club’s alliance with the Teacher Supply Closet, which serves the educational needs of children in the Tri-county area by providing a unique means to offer free merchandise for teachers to use in their classrooms.  During all RiverDogs home games, fans are able to drop off items at the customer relations desk which go toward the Teacher Supply Closet’s goal to give every Lowcountry child the supplies they need to succeed in school.

With nearly the entire home slate still on tap, there are many chances to catch exciting RiverDogs action and “Be Your Own Fan” while jumping on board to strengthen the fiber of the Charleston community … like the RiverDogs have.

Reading for Rewards Program Reaches Over 100 Schools

The 2011 Reading for Rewards program, presented by Wells Fargo, concluded on Friday, March 4 with the final assembly at Wilson Elementary School in Corona, California. Over the course of the reading program, Thunder visited 13 different cities and worked with over 100 local elementary schools, totaling 103 live performances. All students attending a school performance received a “Go Thunder Green” book. Additionally, schools that missed out on an assembly will receive a Reading for Rewards bookmark that the students and their parents will fill out, return to their teachers and eventually redeem for two free Storm tickets for their accomplishments. In total over 65,000 bookmarks were distributed to local students.

Over the last 11 years, the Storm has been one of the top promoters of literacy in Riverside County. “It’s been an honor to watch the reading program evolve the way that it has,” said Storm President Dave Oster. “It started as an idea to help kids stay out of trouble while promoting literacy to elementary level students. We are very proud to see what good things have come from this program.” Oster also added, “We will continue to strive to be one of the leaders in promoting the language arts as well as the Going Green Movement.”

“Go Thunder Green: Thunder’s Guide to Going Green” was produced, written and illustrated by members of the Storm front office staff at the end of the 2008 baseball season. The book contains a five stanza introduction revealing Thunder’s efforts to help the world by “Going Green” as well as a poem that details Thunder’s eight tips to help our environment. “We reached more students this year than ever before,” said Storm Director of Mascot Operations Patrick Gardenier. “On behalf of Thunder, I would like to say thank you to everyone that was involved in this year’s reading program.” Students can redeem their ticket vouchers for the following dates: Sunday, April 10, Friday, April 22, Sunday, May 8, Wednesday, May 18 and Sunday, May 22.

BlueClaws Charities Donates Over $150,000 In 2010

BlueClaws Charities, the non-profit foundation of the Lakewood BlueClaws, contributed over $150,000 to area organizations and fundraising events in 2010, the BlueClaws announced.

Charitable donations totaled $157,721 through a variety of different categories.

“Being a strong and active part of the community has been a priority for us since day one,” said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. “We’re grateful to those that have supported all of our charitable events and fundraising efforts to make this possible.”

Various BlueClaws fundraising events included the first Nine and Dine Golf Outing, the first Manager’s Luncheon, and the ALS Celebrity Waiter event in May (which has raised over $110,000 in 10 years).

BlueClaws Charities donated thousands of dollars to the Susan G. Komen Fund, American Cancer Society, and other Community Partners through BlueClaws jersey auctions last year and will again do the same in 2011.

More than $50,000 was raised by local organizations through the BlueClaws concession fundraising program, which enables groups to raise money by volunteering in the team’s concession stands.

Over $45,000 was donated through ticket requests and sponsorships of charitable golf outings.

Organizations received an extra $18,000 from BlueClaws Charities through 50-cent donations for each ticket used as part of a BlueClaws ticket fundraiser. Local organizations also bought discounted BlueClaws tickets and re-sold them for face value to raise an additional $130,000 during the 2010 season.

Hit the Books Contest Winner Announced Wednesday

The Omaha Storm Chasers awarded fourth-grader Gracie Davis this year’s Hit the Books contest winner, in a ceremony at Anderson Grove Elementary Wednesday. Davis was selected by the Storm Chasers community relations staff based on her original bookmark design.

“It was extremely difficult to choose a winner this year with so many great entries,” said Andrea Stava, the club’s Community Relations Manager. “The Omaha metro area has many talented students and we looked at thousands of great submissions. We’re excited to finally announce a winner.”

Hit the Books, the Storm Chasers’ literacy program presented by Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST), has a membership of approximately 15,000 students and 1,000 teachers at 50 Omaha-area schools. Students were asked to submit original drawings for this year’s bookmark, which feature the artwork Gracie submitted this January. Bookmarks will be distributed throughout the city to each student who reaches their initial reading benchmark.

Students will have an opportunity to earn the bookmark, a pencil, a ticket to a Storm Chasers game and a prize pack for completing the program. Davis was presented with a Storm Chasers t-shirt, miniature baseball bat, Storm Chasers logo ball and various other items with the full prize pack at Wednesday’s event.

Record $43,313 Raised for Charity at Whitecaps Winter Banquet

The West Michigan Whitecaps’ 17th annual Winter Baseball Banquet raised a record $43,313 for charity Wednesday night at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. The event raised funds for the Whitecaps RBI/YMCA Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program and the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities. The $43,313 raised brings the grand total of funds raised for charity through the winter banquets over the past 17 years to more than $461,000.

The total raised edged out the funds raised for charity at the 2007 banquet, when nearly 1,000 attended to see Tigers manager Jim Leyland and a caravan of Tigers stars fresh off their World Series appearance three months prior.

Tigers CEO, President and General Manager Dave Dombrowski was the featured speaker at the event. Other special guest speakers were Whitecaps’ 2011 manager Ernie Young, former Whitecaps and current Tigers players Will Rhymes and Brennan Boesch.

WOOD TV 8’s Jack Doles announced the 2011 inductees into the Whitecaps Hall of Fame; they are 2003 Whitecaps and current Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya, 1994-1998 Whitecaps and current Tigers Head Groundskeeper Heather Nabozny and 1996 Whitecaps and current Cincinnati Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez. Zumaya and Nabozny were both present to accept their awards for the induction.

Silent and live auctions of sports memorabilia and other items were the primary source of fundraising at the event. The top item of the night was the use of Dave Dombrowski’s personal luxury suite for a Tigers game (donated by the Tigers Foundation), which sold for $3,800 in the live auction. Dombrowski then graciously threw in a second suite at the same price to the other high bidder for another $3,800. Other top live auction items were a spring training trip for two, including airfare, four nights in a hotel and tickets to three Tigers games ($3,500); a Windy City Adventure for four including Cubs tickets, an on-field photo opportunity at Wrigley Field and four VIP tickets to Shedd Aquarium ($3,100) donated by the Cubs and Shedd Aquarium; and a World Series package that includes two tickets to games 3 and 4 with hotel ($2,500).

Top silent auction items included three innings on the air on a Whitecaps radio game broadcast ($1,200), a Kirk Gibson autographed jersey ($999) donated by the Tigers Foundation, the use of a Whitecaps suite for a game with a $100 catering credit ($600) and two Tiger Stadium seats ($550) donated by Jeff Spurrier.
Two raffles, including one that included a 40-inch TV and a Microsoft XBox with Kinect system, raised a total of $5,795.

Drive Support Fluor’s “Discover E Week” Initiative

Team of Fluor engineers to visit 5 Greenville County schools

Fluor and the Greenville Drive are working together to encourage local young people to pursue their interests in the engineering profession. The National Engineers Week Foundation and their coalition strive to be the global leader in cultivating and celebrating the engineering profession. The Discover E program highlighted during National Engineers Week (February 20-26, 2011) helps grade school and high school students discover the exciting worlds of engineering and technology. The goal is to relate practical applications of math, science, and engineering to the world around them.

Education is a priority at Fluor, both for the company and its employees. As a Leadership Council member with the National Engineers Week Foundation, Fluor actively participates in the nationwide Discover E program, joining more than 5 million engineers, designers, principals, teachers, and students. Volunteers visit local middle and high schools to introduce young people to engineering in a fun and interesting ways. During Engineer’s Week, Fluor will speak at 5 schools and cover approximately 24 classes where 1000 students will be exposed to the many attributes of the engineering profession.

Students who participated in Discover E week have the opportunity to provide feedback about their experience. In a continued effort to constantly improve Discover E week, students who take the survey will receive a ticket to a 2011 Greenville Drive game.

To take the Discover E Week Survey, please click here

12Stone Church doles out Holiday Meals at Coolray Field

Hundreds of cars lined Ga. Highway 20 in Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon, waiting for their turn in the parking lot of Coolray Field.

Heartfelt cries of “God bless you” and “Merry Christmas” poured from vehicles as unemployed families by the thousands patiently and happily filed through, volunteers from 12Stone Church and a number of partners doling out turkeys, hams and groceries to those in need this holiday season.

“It just means such a great deal,” said Ladonna Smith, leaving with a turkey for her family’s Christmas dinner. “It’s such a blessing, especially being unemployed and having kids.”

After police officers directed folks into the lot, a stone’s throw from the Gwinnett Braves’ stadium, volunteers-turned-traffic-managers orchestrated what turned out to be a smoothly run operation.

Cars were organized into four separate lanes, with pallets full of goodies stacked intermittently in between.

An estimated 250 volunteers cheerfully took requests from waiting recipients. All told, 12Stone distributed 2,500 meals Saturday.

“I love helping people,” church volunteer Cathy Minter said. “They’ve been so thankful. They’re wishing us a merry Christmas, but what I’m getting back from them … I just can’t explain it. I just love it.”

12Stone partnered with HoneyBaked Ham Corp., Kroger, Signature Foods and the G-Braves to provide “a meal and more.” Each family went home with a HoneyBaked ham or turkey, a week’s worth of groceries and a voucher for four tickets to a 2011 Gwinnett Braves game.

The church had already given 3,000 packages to unemployed members, friends and neighbors of the congregation. In all, the 5,500 packages distributed totaled more than $1 million in goods and services.

“It’s been amazing,” Minter said. “We love to serve people. And that’s what God wants us to do.”

As testament to the tough economic times, cars lined up at nearby gas station hours before the giveaway scheduled for 1 p.m., jockeying to make sure their family got a real Christmas dinner.

“This just helps you to be thankful for every day of life,” recipient Terena Harris said. “Especially in times like this you need to be very thankful that people can maintain groups like this, and you can have a meal on the table.”

Added husband John: “We just really appreciate it.”

This article by Tyler Estep originally appeared in the Gwinnett Daily Post on December 18, 2010.

Students Score Big with ‘Score an A’ Program

The Richmond Flying Squirrels‘ Score an “A” Free Ticket Program presented by Union First Market Bank was a huge success in its inaugural year, and the program will be available once again during the Flying Squirrels’ 2011 season.

The value of tickets redeemed during the 2010 season was over $18,000.

“The Flying Squirrels are always striving to make an impact in the Richmond community in a positive manner, with the school systems being one of our main focuses,” said Flying Squirrels Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “The ticket program is a way for us to reward those students who push themselves to excel in academics.”

Every “A” on a student’s current K-12 report card during the third and fourth marking periods earned them a FREE General Admission ticket to a Richmond Flying Squirrels home game. Each “A” was good for one ticket per game–for example, if a student earned 8 A’s they would receive 8 General Admission tickets to 8 different games.

“The ‘Score an ‘A’ Free Ticket Program’ is a fun way to reward hard work and achievement or to provide that little extra incentive to push for a higher grade,” said Harry A. Turton, Jr., Richmond President of Union First Market Bank. “Union First Market Bank is headquartered in Richmond and is the largest community bank serving the Richmond-area. We are a proud sponsor of the program and hope the students will enjoy watching the Flying Squirrels as much as our teammates enjoy watching them play.”

Students cashed in on nearly $18,000 worth of tickets in 2010.

Legends announce donations of $965,012 for 2010

The Lexington Legends announced donations for 2010 totaling $965,012 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 Maker’s Mark Club at Applebee’s Park.
In its 10-year history, the Legends organization has donated more than $9 million to the region.
“This is truly one of our biggest events of the year in terms of importance,” said Legends General Manager Andy Shea. “It’s a way to celebrate the good work done by these organizations. We’re pleased to support them in their efforts.”
“Perhaps the most important thing we do is using the enormous success and popularity of the Lexington Legends to be able to make our communities better,” said Legends President and CEO Alan Stein. “We could not be more proud of our community outreach programs and our fans and sponsors who make them possible.”
Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington-based organization that manages the operation of minor league baseball teams, including the Legends.
Organizations receiving funds were:
–The Makenna Foundation. Established in 2001 in memory of Makenna David, who died of a rare lung disease in 1998, the Makenna Foundation has raised more than $1.2 million for the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Legends’ Charity Ball Toss event, sponsored by Copy Express, generates funds for general support of the Makenna Foundation.
–Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, and has worked for more than a century to develop positive relationships that have a lasting impact on young people. Raising Cane’s donated $25 to BBBS for every Legends win at Applebee’s Park. The Legends also worked with LM Communications to plan and present a “radiothon” to raise funds for BBBS.
–The Markey Cancer Foundation. The Legends’ campaign to “strike out breast cancer,” sponsored by ADI, provides five dollars for each strikeout recorded by Lexington pitchers during home games. The fight against breast cancer is also supported by the Legends’ Breast Cancer Brunch and the sale of pink game jerseys, also sponsored by ADI.
–Kentucky Pink Connection. The Breast Cancer Brunch and the sale of pink game jerseys also benefit the Kentucky Pink Connection program, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing and/or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
–Junior Achievement. Donations were made to JA from the proceeds of the Brewgrass Festival, a beer-tasting and entertainment event held at Applebee’s Park in May. A bowl-a-thon also raised funds for JA, and several Legends employees volunteered and taught classes in the JA program.
-St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program. The sale of regular game jerseys worn by Legends’ players provides general support for the program, which provides one- and two-year scholarships to deserving nursing students at area colleges and universities.
–Lexington Humane Society. Sponsored by IncrediPet, the Legends held two “Bark in the Park” nights during the 2010 season. After making a donation to the Humane Society as an “admission” charge, fans could bring their dogs to the Legends game on “Bark in the Park” nights. Courtesy Acura donates to the Humane Society based on walks to Legends batters. Also, portions of proceeds from vendors who set up exhibits at Applebee’s Park on those nights went to the Humane Society.
-The Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council. Sponsored by Windstream, a $25 donation is made to the Boy Scouts for every double or triple by a Legends player during home games.
–Eternal Valor. The Eternal Valor Foundation’s mission is to facilitate and assist in the creation and management of scholarships, charities and events in order to honor the memory of deceased veterans. On Military Appreciation Night, the Legends sold fatigue jerseys to support Eternal Valor.
-“Guns ’n’ Hoses” softball game at Applebee’s Park. Sponsored by Gall’s, the game matches Lexington police officers against firefighters. In 2010, proceeds went to the family of Lexington police officer Bryan J. Durman, who died in the line of duty.
In-kind donations
The Legends also make substantial in-kind donations throughout the year, including a long-standing relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass. Donors to the United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game. In the 2010 season, more than 44,000 box seat tickets were given to United Way donors.
Other in-kind projects were associated with Special Olympics, the walk to defeat ALS, the Kentucky Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery’s Smokeless Tobacco Education program, and Hit the Books, a joint effort between the Legends and Chick-Fil-A to encourage Central Kentucky students to read.

Legends’ Mascot, Big L, and General Manager, Andy Shea.

Legends Present Check to Pike Recovery Committee

Country music fans enjoyed a great night of entertainment September 24 at Applebee’s Park, home of the Lexington Legends, and victims of flooding in Pike County benefited as a result.

With funds generated by a special concert ticket promotion, the Legends presented a check in the amount of $16,560 to the Pike County Long-Term Recovery Committee, Inc. The Committee is a volunteer organization based in Pike County that provides relief for victims of the July 17 flooding.

Tickets to the concert, which featured Randy Travis, LeAnn Rimes and Craig Morgan, could be purchased with a special promotional code which placed $20 of the $37 ticket price into a fund for the Pike County Long-Term Recovery Committee, Inc.

The Legends also provided concert tickets free of charge to flood victims.

Legends representatives joined local and state government officials, as well as representatives of the Kentucky Coal Association and other businesses and organizations, for the check presentation ceremony Friday morning at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

” We’re very proud to be part of this effort,” said Legends General Manager Andy Shea. “The flood victims face a difficult challenge, and we hope this will help as they move forward.”

Left to right: Lexington Legends account executive Scott Hamilton, “Big L,” and Randy Johnson of the Pike County Long-Term Recovery Committee, Inc. hold a replica of a check for $16,560 that was presented Friday by the Legends to the committee to benefit flood victims.

BLUE ROCKS DONATE NEARLY $750,000 TO LOCAL CAUSES

Team’s Efforts with Marketing Partners & Fans Touch Thousands

The Wilmington Blue Rocks continued their commitment of giving back to the community throughout the 2010 season. The year saw the team, in tandem with its marketing partners and fans, raise $744,721.99 worth of contributions to local charities, schools and community organizations. The sum includes many different types of contributions including cash, tickets and services.

“We take pride in being able to contribute at this level to youth and charitable organizations in the greater Wilmington area,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “I’m certain that we could not have done this without assistance from our 2010 marketing partners and fans that also played a large role in raising these funds.”

Below is a breakdown of the team’s efforts in the community during the campaign:

Cash Donations – $19,115

The Wilmington Blue Rocks were able to donate $19,115 to local organizations in 2010. These donations included Little League sponsorships, specialty game-worn memorabilia auctions, ticket kickbacks, and a sponsorship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware.

During select games, the Blue Rocks wore special jerseys or hats. That apparel was then auctioned and raffled off during those games. Some items were auctioned off online as well. Below are a few examples:

Boots on the Ground – Blue Rocks wore Camo hats
Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition – Blue Rocks wore Pink jerseys
B+ Foundation – Blue Rocks wore Throwback jerseys

Other organizations that benefited from this included: The Ronnie Williams Foundation, the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, and the Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation.

Ticket Donations – 66,798 tickets, Value – $601,182

Each year, the Blue Rocks are able to accommodate almost every donation request. Through those donation requests, school programs, and by offering bulk tickets to select local organizations (Kind to Kids, USO Delaware, Delaware Police Departments, and more), the Blue Rocks were able to donate almost 67,000 tickets for the 2010 season.

Centerplate Concession Stand Money – $63,149.99

During the 2010 season, local organizations had the opportunity to work the concession stands during Blue Rocks games. In exchange, Centerplate, the concessionaire for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, gave them a portion of the revenue from that game. Throughout the season, over $63,000 was donated to these organizations for their efforts.

Non-Ticket Donations – $21,575

These donations are for extraordinary cases that call for something extra special. Non-ticket donations consist of:

Luxury Suites
Experience Items (first pitches, on-field inclusion)
Autographed Items (bats, baseballs)
Merchandise/Promo Items
Blue Rocks Baseball Camp Scholarships
Used Baseballs/Gloves/Equipment

Advertising Donations – $8,500

During home games, the Blue Rocks allowed select non-profits to promote themselves or upcoming events. This promotion was executed through the use of the RocksVision video board, the public address system, and by providing concourse tables.

Speaking Appearances

The Blue Rocks Front Office donated over 50 hours of their time to speak at community events. These events included speaking to children at local elementary schools, high schools, and colleges about careers in sports, and speaking to local organizations about the Blue Rocks.

Player Appearances

Wilmington Blue Rocks Players made many appearances over the 2010 season. Some of these appearances included visiting the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (at least once a month), a youth detention center, local schools, United Cerebral Palsy’s summer camp, as well as other local summer camps.

Mascot Appearances – $7,500

Rocky Bluewinkle visited 196 community events this year. (Spanned over 240 hours; Value of free or discounted appearances – $7,500).

In-Stadium Fundraising at Frawley Stadium – $23,700

The Blue Rocks opened up Frawley Stadium to select charitable organizations during home games, and enabled them to raise money for their respective causes. Money was raised by selling t-shirts, raffle tickets, and by collecting donations. There have also been a number of check presentations before Blue Rocks games during the 2010 season.

K’s for Kids: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware donated money every time a Blue Rocks pitcher recorded a strikeout at home. At the end of the season, Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. was presented with a $5,000 check.
Stolen Base Learning Initiative: SBLI Life Insurance donated money for each Blue Rocks stolen base during a home game. At the end of the season, BooksFirst! was presented with a $5,000 check.
Stolen Bases for Happy Faces: New Castle County Chamber of Commerce donated $5,000 to the Bear Babe Ruth Baseball League Miracle League Field project.
B+ Score for the Cure: AstraZeneca donated money for each Blue Rocks run scored at home. At the end of the season, the B+ Foundation was presented with a $5,000 check.

Miscellaneous

Make-A-Wish Night: On Aug. 31, the Blue Rocks hosted Make-A-Wish Night. Wish Kids were treated like stars. They were able to participate in some unique activities before and during the game, and they received lots of autographs and free stuff.
Challenger Little League: The Blue Rocks continued the tradition of working with the Challenger Little League to host its season’s Opening Ceremonies. Each player was introduced individually, and all teams get to play on Judy Johnson Field.
Stadium Tours: The Blue Rocks offer stadium tours for free. Tours are usually 30 minutes long. In 2010, the Blue Rocks hosted 60 tours, many to community organizations with little to no funding.
Toy Drive: The Blue Rocks were once again, able to contribute toys to the Mary Campbell Center. Rocky Claus surprised guests at the Mary Campbell Center’s youth and children holiday party with a sack full of donated toys.

Tackling Childhood Obesity

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are committed to tackling the epidemic of childhood obesity. To do so, the Blue Rocks have partnered with local programs like Nemours Health and Prevention Services, Titus Sports Academy (CHAMPIONS program), and Girls on the Run. Through these partnerships the Blue Rocks have been able to reward kids who participate in health/fitness-related extracurricular activities.

One of the many visits by Blue Rocks players and team mascot Rocky Bluewinkle to A.I. duPont Hospital included (left-to-right): Rocky, Ivor Hodgson, Buddy Baumann, Barry Bowden, Adrian Ortiz. (Photo by Dave Arthur)