Wings of Hope event set for Aug. 13

Rochester Community Baseball, the Rochester Red Wings, Sharing Kindness, Inc., and Villa of Hope held a press conference to announce a new initiative, “Wings of Hope” to raise awareness of suicide risk factors, suicide prevention and community resources for treatment. A special day at the ballpark has been scheduled for Sunday, August 13.

Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings and Villa of Hope President and CEO, Christina Gullo was joined on May 24 by Red Wings players Jason Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy, D.J. Baxendale, ByungHo Park, Trevor Hildenberger, and Alan Busenitz. Wheeler spoke on behalf of his teammates and shared his experience demonstrating the importance of this partnership.

Jason Wheeler and his family know the effect suicide has on a family, “Mental illness and suicide have personally affected me and my family. We lost my 16 year-old brother-in-law Jeremy, almost eight months ago. Since this tragedy, we have been astonished at not only how common mental illness and suicide are, but also how unable we are as a society to speak about them because of the strong stigma associated with these issues. As a family, we are working towards eliminating stigma surrounding suicide, and changing the perception in our communities that mental illness is different from any other illness. We feel very fortunate to be partnering with the Red Wings and Villa of Hope to help raise mental health awareness, improve education, and start an ongoing conversation about suicide, both in the Rochester community and nationwide.”

Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings shares, “We are fortunate to have great players on our team but even more fortunate that these young men are outstanding citizens who want to make a difference in the lives of other people. It is atypical for a minor league baseball player to sponsor a promotion for his team and we are thrilled that Jason is partnering with us and our friends at the Villa of Hope to help raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention and mental health. This is a very personal matter for he and his family and everyone at Rochester Community Baseball applauds and supports him for using his status as a professional baseball player to raise awareness and funding for such an important topic in our society today. ”

Five months ago, Villa of Hope moved into its new, larger Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Chemical Dependency) Outpatient Clinic at Water Tower Park in response to the rapidly growing need in the Rochester area. Christina Gullo, President and CEO of Villa of Hope states, “Twelve percent of children under the age of 18 have considered suicide in the past year and seven percent attempted it. S uicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24. As a community we need to have the resources for parents and kids to find help before these become life-altering or life-threatening events.”

Special Red Wings jerseys, hats, socks and Minnesota Twins collectibles will be available for auction at the Sunday, August 13th game at 1:35 p.m. All proceeds of the auction will benefit Villa of Hope and Sharing Kindness, Inc. That game is a designated “Kids Club Day” and will include sports entertainer “BirdZerk!” and a chance for kids to run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy after the game.

About Sharing Kindess

Sharing Kindness is a newly-formed non-profit, started by the Walters family after the death by suicide of their 16 year old son Jeremy, in October of 2016. It is dedicated to overcoming the stigma surrounding mental illness, depression and suicide. Sharing Kindness is about having the courage and compassion to start and sustain the conversation in our communities about these issues that have traditionally been so difficult to talk about. We are currently developing and helping fund various awareness and education programs in the lower and outer towns of Cape Cod, MA, an area plagued with higher than average rates of suicide, with special focus on our schools.

About Villa of Hope

Through a network of high quality programs and services, Villa of Hope specializes in helping at-risk youth overcome emotional and behavioral challenges and build lifelong strengths. The Villa’s community-based, residential and educational programs address mental health needs, trauma-informed care, life-skills development, and chemical dependency. Founded in 1942, today Villa of Hope serves more than 3,000 young people and their families annually.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

KHN Presents Strike Out Stroke Event

Dayton, Ohio – Abbey Hendershott, a stroke survivor, will throw out the first pitch at the Dayton Dragons game on Sunday, May 21, at 2:07 p.m. when Kettering Health Network presents the “Strike Out Stroke™” event. The Dragons will be hosting the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton. Strike Out Stroke is a registered trademark of the “Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp.”

Hendershott experienced a stroke at her home on March 23, 2015. Despite being a nurse and recognizing the symptoms of a stroke, she initially attempted to talk herself out of the fact that she could be having one because she was only in her mid-twenties.

Hendershott’s face did not move when she smiled and went numb when she tried to laugh at a joke that her sister-in-law told. She was also experiencing numbness on the left side of her body. Her sister-in-law immediately called 911 and Hendershott was transported to Sycamore Medical Center.

After a one-day stay at that facility, she was taken to Kettering Medical Center for further evaluation and seen by Dr. Short, a neurosurgeon. Hendershott was released from the hospital three days later.

Hendershott provides a simple piece of advice to people who think they may be suffering a stroke no matter their age, “If you are having any symptoms, do not wait.”

Kettering Health Network will be on the plaza from noon-2:30 p.m. with stroke awareness and prevention information and will also be passing out various stroke awareness items.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Sea Dogs Partner with Movers for Moms®

Portland, Maine– The Portland Sea Dogs have partnered with Movers for Moms® to help moms in need this Mother’s Day.

Movers for Moms® collects essential care and pampering items for women staying in domestic violence shelters. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Portland is collecting items for delivery to Family Crisis Services. Family Crisis Services is a 16-bed emergency shelter and domestic violence resource center.

Fans attending Sea Dogs games on May 8th, May 9th, and May 10th are asked to bring items to the ballpark to be donated to the campaign.

Much needed items include:

  • Full size shampoo/ conditioner
  • Full size body wash/ bar soap
  • Feminine Hygiene Products
  • Full size deodorant/ perfume
  • Hair care/ nail care items
  • Make-up
  • Full size body lotion
  • Dishes/ small appliances
  • Diapers/ wipes/ baby powder
  • Gift Cards
  • Toilet paper/ paper towels
  • Cleaning / home essentials

Your donation to Movers for Moms® helps local mothers in need create a better live for themselves and their families.

Last year the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Movers for Moms® campaign collected over 285,000 items nationally and delivered items to hundreds of shelters across the United States.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

OKC Dodgers Hosting Fan Fest and CommUNITY Run Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will host their third annual Fan Fest as well as the inaugural CommUNITY Run Saturday, March 25 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The CommUNITY Run begins at 8:30 a.m. and Fan Fest will take place from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Both events are open to the public, and admission is free.

“Fan Fest has become an event that is highly anticipated by our fans,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “We can’t wait to open up the gates to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and get Oklahoma City ready for baseball season.”

Gates will open at 10 a.m. for Fan Fest, and the festivities will begin at 10:30 with a question-and-answer session with former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman and 1992 National League Rookie of the Year Eric Karros. Karros played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 12 with the Dodgers. Karros will be available to the media following the question-and-answer session, and he will be available for autographs at 11:30 a.m. in the Legends Lounge.

Fan Fest will also feature the second annual Dodger Dog eating contest at 11 a.m, and fans can watch the area’s top adult home run hitters put on a power display during a home run derby beginning at noon.

Events also include behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark, giving fans special access to areas they normally cannot see, such as the home clubhouse. While visiting the clubhouse, fans of all ages can take batting practice in the team’s indoor batting cages.

Team mascots Brix and Brooklyn will be available to take pictures with fans throughout the day. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities, including inflatable games, a balloon artist and a face painter.

Fans will have the chance to purchase ticket packages and pick their seats for the season. Ticket representatives will be on hand to assist and answer any questions, and the ticket office will be open to sell single-game tickets. The OKC Dodgers Team Store will be open with brand new merchandise for the 2017 season, with certain items in the store on clearance.

Fan Fest will also coincide with the OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run. The 5K and 1K fun run will start at the ballpark and finish on the field. Registration is still open at okcdodgers.com, with entry fees ranging from $25-$30. Additionally, a special kids’ run will take place on the field, with a registration cost of only $10. All entry fees and monetary donations at the event will go directly to the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and the OKC Police Athletic League.

Runners who participate in the 1K and 5K will receive a race t-shirt and commemorative medal. All kids race participants will receive an OKC Dodgers baseball. Top finishers in the 5K will receive a separate medal during the winner’s ceremony.

Minor League Baseball launched the CommUNITY initiative in Aug. 2016 to create a call to action to encourage fans to think of ways to be a positive influence on their families and communities to help end senseless violence and discrimination. As a result, the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and OKC Police Athletic League are partnering together to create positive opportunities for youth in the Oklahoma City area through sports and education.

“The OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run is more than a race,” said OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Managing Director Jennifer Van Tuyl. “It is an opportunity for the community to come together and showcase our ability to have a positive impact in the place we live and with the people that make this place so great.”

Free parking for all events will be available in the Joe Carter Lot, located behind right field at the northeast corner of Reno and Joe Carter Avenues. Due to construction, those parking in the Joe Carter Lot must enter from Reno Ave.

The Oklahoma City Dodgers open the 2017 season Thursday, April 6 against the Iowa Cubs at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. For more information about Fan Fest or the 2017 OKC Dodgers season, visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-1000.

Tickets available now for Let’s Move Blair County Day with the Curve

ALTOONA, Pa. – Let’s Move Blair County Day is set to take place at Peoples Natural Gas Field on April 30 as the Altoona Curve face the Harrisburg Senators. The event begins when the ballpark gates open at noon and features a free health and wellness fair during the game, which starts at 1 p.m.

Tickets are available now for company groups who wish to sit together and area residents interested in attending. Deadline for groups to purchase tickets is April 16.

The day is sponsored by Let’s Move Blair County and the Healthy Blair County Coalition, two organizations whose mission is to help residents engage in healthy eating and more physically active lives while enjoying family fun. The Let’s Move Blair County effort is aimed at reducing the community’s health risks, such as diabetes, obesity and sedentary habits.

UPMC Altoona, Nason Hospital, and Tyrone Regional Health System lead this wellness effort along with area YMCAs, recreational centers and businesses. A free health and wellness fair will be on the ballpark’s concourse level.

The day’s festivities include a trophy presentation to the businesses who participated in the Corporate Wellness Challenge, a three-month, team-oriented weight loss effort involving 38 Blair County businesses and 819 people.

For more information on how to purchase tickets, contact Corey Homan at CHoman@AltoonaCurve.com or call 814-283-3122.

The Curve open the home slate of their 2016 schedule at Peoples Natural Gas Field against the Akron RubberDucks on April 13 at 6 p.m. Single-game tickets are now on sale online at AltoonaCurve.com, by phone at 877.99.CURVE or in person at the PNG Field offices.

-CURVE-

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Donate Foundation Funds to Benefit Local Community Programs

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced the three local organizations that will be receiving a monetary donation on behalf of the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. Focusing on the three pillars and areas of need in which the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation was built on, the Cougars will be donating to organizations involving children’s programs, homelessness and indigent healthcare.

“The Cougars would like to thank the Arizona Diamondbacks for their generosity,” said owner Cheryl Froehlich. “As we continue to grow our charitable initiatives through the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. we are constantly looking for additional areas where we can make a difference. This donation from the D-backs will enable us to expand our community service programs.”

In the area of children’s programs, the Cougars will be making a contribution to the Kane Excellence in Education Partnership (KEEP). The KEEP program supports and assists the academic and social emotional needs of children throughout the Kane County area. Through collaborations with districts, businesses, government agencies and education organizations, KEEP provides scholarships, educational activities, at-risk programming and necessary educational services to schools in Kane County.

To assist homeless families in the area, the Cougars will make a donation to Bridge Communities located in Glen Ellyn, Ill. The mission of Bridge Communities is to help transition homeless families into a life of self-sufficiency by providing mentoring, housing and supportive services.

Community Nurse Health Center, in LaGrange, Ill. will be receiving the final portion of the donation to help assist the healthcare needs of the local community. Since 1921, Community Nurse Health Center has served residents of the western suburbs by providing direct medical and dental care as well as health education including medical preventive services, chronic disease management, acute illness services, prenatal case management and oral health treatments for low income children and adults.

“The Kane County Cougars are a true asset to their community and share similar values to us at the Arizona Diamondbacks,” said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall. “We are extremely proud of their efforts and know that initiatives such as this help teach young players the importance of giving back. In doing so, it is our hope that when they do reach the Major Leagues, their approach is aligned with ours. We applaud the efforts of Dr. Bob and Cheryl Froehlich as well as the entire Cougars front office.”

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Legends’ donations for 2016 top $1,000,000

Big L and the Legends welcomed Girl Scouts to Whitaker Bank Ballpark for a campout May 6. More than 330 girls spent the night at the ballpark. The Girl Scouts were one of many organizations who received support from Legends’ community programs in 2016.

             (WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) The Lexington Legends made donations totaling $1,000,763 in 2016 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving central Kentucky.

In its 16-year history, the Legends organization has donated close to $15 million to the region.

“The Legends are proud to be part of this community and region,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. “We will continue to provide support to these great organizations that do so much good work.”

Among the organizations and causes who benefited from events and programs in 2016 were:

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts:  Overnight campouts for Boy Scouts (August 18) and Girl Scouts (May 6) were held following Legends games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The scouts sold nearly 1,000 donated game tickets to raise funds for their organizations. About 700 scouts participated in the campouts.

                Breast Cancer Research and Awareness: The Legends held Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on July 9. Funds raised through an auction of pink jerseys and pink bases used during the Legends game that night, along with t-shirt sales, benefited Kentucky Cancer Link, 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, the world’s largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. The Legends and LBX held a celebration lunch, with proceeds going to those same three organizations.

                Military Appreciation Night: The Legends’ Military Appreciation night was held on June 25. It included an auction of jerseys to benefit Military Missions, a local non-profit organization that supports troops in a variety of ways, including the sending of care packages with personal items and snacks to military personnel.

                Bark in the Park: The Legends held 12 “Bark in the Park” nights during the 2016 season. Dog owners were invited to bring their dogs to the game, and a two-dollar “admission” charge for each dog was donated to the Scott County Humane Society.

Guns and Hoses Softball Game:  The Legends provide the setting for the Guns and Hoses game, which matches the Lexington Police Department against the Lexington Fire Department in a softball game and home run derby. The winning team takes home a trophy, and the loser receives a toilet seat as the runner-up prize. More than 2,000 people attended the 2016 game.

Community Organization of the Night:  The Legends provide an opportunity for a local non-profit organization to step into the spotlight at a Legends home game. Organizations may set up an information table on the concourse, and a representative is interviewed on the field before the game and on radio during the game.    Organizations who purchased discounted tickets for re-sale as a fundraiser also received 25% of the proceeds from that night’s 50-50 raffle. (The Legends Charitable Fund also received 25%, and the fan holding the winning ticket received 50%.)

                Hit the Books Reading Program: Geared toward elementary schools, the Legends’ Hit the Books Reading Program is designed to encourage students to read, both in school and away from school.    The Legends gave away 33,000 Hit the Books bookmarks to students in central Kentucky in 2016. (A winning bookmark design is selected from students’ entries.) Those who complete the Hit the Books reading program are awarded two tickets to a Legends home game.

Field of Dreams: The Paul Miller Ford Field of Dreams program allows youth baseball and softball players to be part of pre-game festivities. Members of the youth teams are introduced to the fans and take the field along with the Legends starters. Teams are selected at random from registrations received at Field of Dreams sponsor locations.   Team members receive complimentary admission to the game. The Legends hosted 80 Field of Dreams teams in 2016.

           Legends Character Award at William Wells Brown Elementary:   Every nine weeks during the school year, 19 students from William Wells Brown Elementary School in Lexington are selected to receive the Legends Character Award. The award is designed to motivate students to demonstrate good behavior and a great attitude. The students are nominated by their classroom teachers. Winners are publicly recognized and personally congratulated by the Legends’ Big L.

Kids Area:   At every Legends home game in 2016, Lafayette High School cheerleaders volunteered to work in the Aetna Kids Play Area to raise money for their cheer program. The Legends made a $7,500 donation to the program.

Go Red Night: The American Heart Association and St. Joseph Health Care System sponsored a “Go Red” Night June 3 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, where fans received information on the dangers and risks of heart disease. Free blood pressure checks and presentations of information were provided throughout the game.

Donation requests:  The Legends donate tickets, memorabilia or merchandise to as many organizations as possible. Tickets are used by members of the non-profit organizations or for auctions to raise funds for those organizations. The Legends fulfilled more than 300 donation requests in 2016.

  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 2016, the Legends donated 23,333 tickets for use by the United Way.

St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program: At the end of every baseball season, the Legends hold a silent auction for the jerseys worn by the players during home games. Proceeds go to the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program.

                Fundraising tickets:   The Legends offer schools, teams and other organizations an opportunity to buy tickets at a discounted price and raise funds by selling the tickets at the regular price. More than 5,000 tickets were purchased at the discount rate for fundraising in 2016.

For more information on the Legends’ community programs, contact Sarah Bosso at 859-422-7847 or sbosso@lexingtonlegends.com

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

BlueClaws Charities Completes Grant Program With Grants to 35 Local Partner Organizations

LAKEWOOD, NJ – BlueClaws Charities, the official 501c3 organization of the Lakewood BlueClaws, handed out grants to 35 partner organizations as part of their 8th annual grant distribution.

BlueClaws Charities Community Partner organizations, all 501c3s that work with the BlueClaws throughout the year, were eligible to apply for a grant and all organizations that applied for a grant received one.

Each applicant was asked to detail a specific use for the grant, with the requirement that all money received from BlueClaws Charities stays in Ocean & Monmouth Counties. A complete list can be found below.

“BlueClaws Charities is excited to support such a wide variety of outstanding, local, non-profit organizations,” said Jim DeAngelis, BlueClaws Charities Executive Director. “These organizations are on the ground working with the underserved in our communities, doing spectacular work. It is an honor for BlueClaws Charities to be able to assist.”

BlueClaws Charities, a registered 501c3 organization, raises money at all 70 BlueClaws home games. A 50/50 raffle, special jersey auctions, and miscellaneous programs are used to raise money during games. The annual “Phillies Winter Banquet,” “ALS Celebrity Waiter Event,” “Bowling With the BlueClaws,” and the “BlueClaws Charities Nine & Dine Golf Outing” are additional fundraising initiatives conducted by BlueClaws Charities.

“Our fans and donors have been tremendously supportive of BlueClaws Charities over the years, and this year was no exception,” said DeAngelis. “We look forward to another successful season in 2017!”

Below, find a list of organizations and programs supported through the annual BlueClaws Charities grant program:

  • ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia – For patient care services to help the 50 ALS patient families living in Monmouth & Ocean Counties.
  • American Heart Association – For their Heart Walk, a community event that encourages physical activity to help lower risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
  • Arc of Ocean County – For their mission of helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities be accepted and valued as citizens of the community.
  • Ashley Lauren Foundation – For assisting children with cancer and their families through direct financial assistance.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County – For providing group mentoring activities to children on their waiting list of 180 children, enabling them to be involved with the agency.
  • Boot Campaign – For raising awareness and assistance for military families and personnel especially relating to the unique challenges they face during and post-service.
  • Caregiver Volunteers – For defraying the cost of criminal background checks completed on volunteers prior to assignments.
  • Cheer Dream Scoliosis Foundation – For assisting children with medical needs in their facility.
  • Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation – For improving the quality of life for children and adults affected by the diseases.
  • Daniela’s Wish – For granting wishes to sick children in the community.
  • Dottie’s House – For providing safe housing for women and their children through a program that empowers them to become self-sufficient and free from violence.
  • Easter Seals New Jersey – For installing a new ram and deck to an existing residential home for Easter Seals program participants.
  • Exit 82 Theatre Company – For funding their 2017 production season with selected shows.
  • Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund – For providing scholarships for Brick Township High Schools.
  • Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore – For supporting their summer outreach initiative Girls Are Great, which sends underserved girls to camp.
  • Go4TheGoal – For helping kids with cancer in the program achieve their goals.
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network – For supporting their mission of providing emergency shelter and other urgently needed services to a growing number of homeless families in Ocean County.
  • Kids Need More – For enhancing the lives of children, families, and young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illness.
  • LADACIN Network – For enhancing the program offerings at their Adult Day Habilitation program with a new horticulture gardening and farming experience.
  • Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund – For aiding their mission of aiding and assisting our wounded warriors and their families.
  • Mary’s Place By the Sea – For supporting the oncology massage program for women with cancer.
  • NJ Tears Foundation – For promoting pregnancy and infant loss awareness and support in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
  • Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity – For assisting in building a home for a single mother and two children in Ocean County.
  • Ocean County Family Support Organization – For assisting in their spring camping trip for youth partnership.
  • Ocean Partnership for Children – For assisting needy youth families during the holiday season.
  • Ocean County Shrine Club – For the Shriners Hospital’s Surgical Navigation System for Children’s Spine Injuries.
  • Ocean County YMCA – For helping kids, families, and seniors in the community find the assets they need in YMCA programs and memberships regardless of incomes and backgrounds.
  • Ocean’s Harbor House – For supplementing the salary of a Life Skills counselor working with homeless youths in their Transitional Living Program.
  • Opportunity Knocks – For assisting in long-term community placement of the disabled.
  • Parents of Autistic Children – For providing a challenger sports league designed to offer a socialization opportunity for disabled students and developing peers in Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
  • Piece of the Puzzle – For technology to help students with autism learn and practice vocational skills.
  • Raising Hope for Others – For assisting the organization with financial costs for organizing and running their major fundraising events.
  • Salvation Army – For funding their feeding program for local underserved.
  • St. Vincent DePaul Society – For helping to fund temporary sheltering of local homeless.
  • United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties – For acquiring hats, coats, gloves, and scarves to help keep children warm this winter.

BlueClaws Charities, in addition to the grant program, supports hundreds of non-profit organizations with gift package donations, golf outing hole-in-one sponsorships, and specialty organizations such as OCEAN, Inc., a federal program that assists the less fortunate in the community. The “Tickets for Kids Program,” another BlueClaws Charities initiative, donates over 2,000 tickets to under-served youths in Lakewood and elsewhere in Ocean County.

Organizations that would like to become Community Partners can call Jim DeAngelis at 732-901-7000 ext 114. Community Partners raise money through a BlueClaws fundraiser outing and have the opportunity to volunteer in the FirstEnergy Park concession stands to raise additional funds. These organizations also receive exposure through on-field presentations, table displays, and on BlueClaws.com, plus they have special opportunities to hold events, such as charity walks, at FirstEnergy Park.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in each year of existence and will reach the 7-million fan plateau in 2017.

– BlueClaws Charities –

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

GreenJackets to Host American Cancer Society Relay for Life’s Hopefest

AUGUSTA, GA: The Augusta GreenJackets, Single “A” affiliate of the San Francisco Giants are excited to team up with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life to present Hopefest on Saturday, November 19th from 9AM-2PM. Hopefest will feature Bark For Life and also the announcing of the winner for the Real Men Wear Pink Campaign.

Hopefest will include a 5k/Fun Run/Walk, 1 mile walk, vendors, giveaways, local animal shelters, pet costume contests, games, entertainment, children’s activities and health and wellness information. To go along with all the activities, The Real Man of the CSRA will be named. Real Men Wear Pink is a distinguished group of community leaders raising awareness and funds for this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Together they are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

“We strive to be very involved all throughout the CSRA, whether it be with non-profits, like the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, or any kind of community function or event,” stated Tom Denlinger GreenJackets General Manager. “The CSRA has been home to us for going on 29 seasons now and to be able to host such a heartwarming and fun event is such an honor.”

The event is part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement, which is the world’s largest fundraising event to save lives from cancer. Uniting communities across the globe, we celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change. Funds raised help the American Cancer Society provide free information and support for people facing the disease today, and fund cancer research that will help protect future generations.

To register for the 5K, have a team, or donate to the Bark For Life of the CSRA visit:

http://relayforlife.org/barkCSRAGA

To learn more about the event, contact Sydney Bromfield or Marah Johnson (706) 731-0152 or Sydney.Bromfield@cancer.org and Marah. Johnson@cancer.org

Auggie is in the heat of the race in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Help Auggie to achieve his goal. If you donate $50 or more you will get a one of a king Auggie Pink T-Shirt curtsey of Chuck and Bill the T-shirt Guys. Follow this link to donate to Auggie’s campaign: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/AuggieinPink. Go Check out the rest of the contestants at http://makingstrideswalk.org/realmenaugustaga and for more information on Real Men Wear Pink.

The 3rd Annual Auggie’s Holiday Bazaar will be Saturday, December 10th from 11AM-2PM. The event will include a HUGE vendor fair, Santa and Mrs. Clause (11-1), Touch-A-Truck, inflatables and much more! The 2017 GreenJackets schedule is out. Check out all GreenJackets Ticket Plans including Full, Half, Weekend and 6-Game Flex Plans and get yours today. To learn more or order your 2017 Ticket Package call the GreenJackets Front Office at (706) 922-WINS (9467).

3,142 Vaccinations Administered at PRMC’s Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to 3,142 people on Delmarva who were vaccinated against the flu during the Medical Center’s 2016 Drive-Thru Flu Clinic on October 13 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

PRMC appreciates the community making sure they “live well” through annual vaccinations against the flu. We also thank the Delmarva Shorebirds for our long-standing partnership and the use of the ballpark to host the Medical Center’s largest and best attended annual community healthcare event.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Returns Thursday Oct. 13

Peninsula Regional Medical Center’s Live Well “Drive-Thru” Flu Clinic is returning on Thursday, October 13, 2016, but as a single day event at Arthur W. Perdue (Shorebirds) Stadium at the intersection of Route 50 and Hobbs Road in Salisbury, MD. Vaccinations will be administered to individuals 13 years of age or older. A physician’s order is not necessary. A donation of $10.00 per vaccination is requested (cash only; exact amount is appreciated). This year’s shot is quadrivalent, meaning it protects against four strains of the virus.

PRMC’s Live Well Drive-Thru Flu Clinic will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. only this one day, Thursday Oct. 13. Flu vaccinations are encouraged for persons over the age of 65, people with heart or lung disorders, immunosuppressant diseases or diabetes. Participants are encouraged to wear a short sleeved shirt that will provide easy access to the upper arm.

For additional information, please visit the PRMC website at www.peninsula.org and click the Drive-Thru Flu Clinic homepage story/banner. English and Spanish flu shot consents forms for PRMC’s Live Well Drive-Thru Flu Clinic are available on the site and may be filled out in advance and brought with you to the event.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is Saturday

DAYTON, OHIO – The 2016 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 15. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. The walk will start at 9:00 a.m.

This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2015 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2016. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find and treat the disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, has gone pink in October in support of efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dragons Website Going Pink in October

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons have gone pink during the month of October. In partnership with Kettering Health Network, the Dragons have turned their website pink to support the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, will remain pink to help draw attention to the efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2016. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find and treat the disease.

The 2016 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be at Fifth Third Field on October 15 at 9:00 a.m. This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2015 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Fifth Third Field to Host AHA Walk/Run on Saturday

Dayton, Ohio – Fifth Third Field will host the American Heart Association’s Greater Dayton 5K Heart Walk/Run on Saturday, September 24th from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. A signature event of the American Heart Association, the Heart Walk/Run promotes physical activity and healthy living in an environment that’s fun for the whole family. All proceeds will go toward funding research and education involving the reduction of heart disease and stroke. Individuals or teams can register online at heart.org/daytonwalk or by calling Kim Doherty at (937) 853-3110.

The Walk/Run is specifically designed for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Day-of registration starts at 7:30 a.m., which is also when the gates open at Fifth Third Field. Before the event begins, families can roam the concourse or enjoy a fun and interactive health and wellness fair on the plaza. Sponsors will give out a heart-healthy snack and allow attendees to check blood pressure and help figure out body mass index (BMI). There will be inflatable games for children to enjoy, and Dragons mascots Heater and Gem will roam the concourse and take pictures with those in attendance.

Heart disease and stroke survivors are also encouraged to visit the survivor area, created especially for the “honored guests” of the Heart Walk. Special gifts will be available to survivors at the walk.

The third annual Kids Fun Run/Walk will begin shortly after 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. The 5K Race and Heart Walk is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is quick and easy if you visit heart.org/daytonwalk. Once you click “Register,” you can join a team, join as an individual, or start your own team. After you complete registration, you can personalize your site and invite friends and family to participate or sponsor your efforts.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION OF GREATER DAYTON

Located in Kettering, the American Heart Association of Greater Dayton covers 12 counties in the area and is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke throughout Ohio. The mission of the American Heart Association is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Currently, the American Heart Association is funding $660,000 of experimental research at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. For more information, visit heart.org/dayton.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Pedal to the Park on Sundays

Portland, Maine– The Portland Sea Dogs have announced a new partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to encourage fans to Pedal to the Park on Sunday afternoons. The Coalition will be offering its free Valet Bike Parking service.

The Valet Bike Parking service will be offered at all Sunday Portland Sea Dogs home games in 2016 (excluding the July 3rd night game). Valet Bike Parking is FREE to use, secure, quick, and the best way to get to the game. The Valet Bike Parking area will be located at the ballpark entrance at Hadlock Field on Park Avenue and will be open from 11:30am-4:30pm for Sunday home games.

“We are proud to partner with the Portland Sea Dogs to offer our FREE Valet Bike Parking service. Hadlock Field is an extremely bike friendly location, and we’re excited to to reduce traffic and parking congestion, while providing fans with a great way to get to the game,” stated Nancy Grant, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

Volunteers from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will greet fans who ride their bikes to the game on Sundays. Each rider will complete a sign-in sheet with their contact information and will be given a wristband that matches the one placed on their bike. After having a great time at the game, show your wristband to the attendant and you’ll get your bike back just as you left it. Afterwards ride off into the sunset past everyone waiting in vehicular traffic.

For fans who are unable to bike all the way from their home, the Coalition has provided maps highlighting satellite parking areas and the best routes to the ballpark from around the Portland area.

For more information please visit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s website at www.bikemaine.org/valet.

The Sea Dogs open the 2016 season on April 7th against the Reading Fightin Phils in Reading, PA. The home opener is set for Thursday, April 14th at 6:00 PM against the Hartford Yard Goats. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs ticket office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.