Friday, November 25, 2005
Braves give thanks by giving back
11/23/2005
ATLANTA -- If all of their grand visions fully take shape, the Braves will have the people of Atlanta feeling fortunate to live in a community that includes one of the most generous organizations in professional sports.
When it came time to join the nation in aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Septemeber, the Braves were more than willing to contribute. But their charitable efforts aren't limited to those occasions when disaster hits.
Over the past two seasons, the Braves' community efforts have increased significantly, a development much appreciated throughout the Metro Atlanta area. Whether it's building baseball fields, refurbishing schools or providing for the homeless, the organization that has won 14 consecutive National League East titles has delivered in championship style.
"We're making a major improvement on the community," said Braves director of community relations Ericka Newsome. "I'd say all of our commitments and efforts show the Atlanta community that we're committed to giving back."
Over the past year, the Braves Foundation, the organization's non-profit arm, raised $325,000 -- nearly $80,000 more than in 2004. Those dollars, raised through various fundraisers like the annual "Jerseys Off Our Backs" promotion, allowed them to distribute $77,500 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations.
One of the club's biggest community initiatives occurred in April, when they opened the Braves Baseball Academy. With a $500,000 donation from the club and a combined $300,000 donation from Braves players Mike Hampton, Brian Jordan, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones, they were able to construct four baseball fields at the Villages of Carver YMCA.
The Academy also includes batting cages and a playground that can be used for after-school activities that serve to keep children active and away from trouble.
"There are a lot of kids in our community that are disadvantaged," Newsome said. "We focus on youth because we want to encourage them to be active, play baseball and get an education."
While promoting the game of baseball, the Braves also refurbished other ball fields and began a grassroots campaign entitled Play Ball Atlanta. They plan on expanding the program next year in hopes of promoting baseball throughout every community in Metro Atlanta.
The Braves also developed a partnership with DH Stanton Elementary School, located two blocks from Turner Field, this year. They helped refurbish the school on Turner Volunteer Day and have recently began a program in which they send 20 of their employees to the school to help tutor some fifth-graders who are reading on a third-grade level.
When the partnership with DH Stanton was officially announced, Andruw Jones and Tim Hudson were there to speak to the children. The All-Star duo and their wives will also be present on Thanksgiving Day, when the Braves once again open the doors to Turner Field to house the massive Hosea Feed the Homeless and Hungry campaign.
Since beginning to host the event in 1998, the Braves have seen more than 315,000 people served food and provided cosmetic care at Turner Field on Thanksgiving.
"The Atlanta Braves Foundation's dedication to making a positive impact in the community is a commitment that extends far beyond the baseball season," said Braves senior vice president, sales and marketing, Derek Schiller. "Our long-standing partnership with Hosea Feed the Hungry exemplifies the giving tradition of the Atlanta Braves Foundation, as we welcome to Turner Field those most in need during the holiday season."
Hudson and his wife, Kim, brought some less-fortunate residents of the Turner Field some holiday cheer on Nov. 22, when they distributed turkeys to five different homes. The Turkey Drop campaign also included the distribution of five more turkeys to needy families at an area church.
"Our players and their wives are all about giving back," Newsome said. "When we have a program that they can help with, they are the first to step up to the plate because they want to give back."
When it came time for the Braves players to decide how they were going to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Smoltz led the charge and helped raise close to $60,000 that was given to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which provided for many of those forced out of their homes in Louisiana and Mississippi. It was an act that further showed why Smoltz was recognized by Major League Baseball as its Roberto Clemente Award winner this year.
Earlier this week, the Braves presented a $175,000 check to the Mississippi Red Cross. Combined between the players and the club, the Braves donated nearly $285,000 toward the efforts to provide relief for the victims of Katrina.
"I think that shows that an organization and a community can come together and come through in the clutch," Newsome said. "Our goal is to continue raising more money, so that we can give back to even more communities."
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
ATLANTA -- If all of their grand visions fully take shape, the Braves will have the people of Atlanta feeling fortunate to live in a community that includes one of the most generous organizations in professional sports.
When it came time to join the nation in aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Septemeber, the Braves were more than willing to contribute. But their charitable efforts aren't limited to those occasions when disaster hits.
Over the past two seasons, the Braves' community efforts have increased significantly, a development much appreciated throughout the Metro Atlanta area. Whether it's building baseball fields, refurbishing schools or providing for the homeless, the organization that has won 14 consecutive National League East titles has delivered in championship style.
"We're making a major improvement on the community," said Braves director of community relations Ericka Newsome. "I'd say all of our commitments and efforts show the Atlanta community that we're committed to giving back."
Over the past year, the Braves Foundation, the organization's non-profit arm, raised $325,000 -- nearly $80,000 more than in 2004. Those dollars, raised through various fundraisers like the annual "Jerseys Off Our Backs" promotion, allowed them to distribute $77,500 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations.
One of the club's biggest community initiatives occurred in April, when they opened the Braves Baseball Academy. With a $500,000 donation from the club and a combined $300,000 donation from Braves players Mike Hampton, Brian Jordan, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones, they were able to construct four baseball fields at the Villages of Carver YMCA.
The Academy also includes batting cages and a playground that can be used for after-school activities that serve to keep children active and away from trouble.
"There are a lot of kids in our community that are disadvantaged," Newsome said. "We focus on youth because we want to encourage them to be active, play baseball and get an education."
While promoting the game of baseball, the Braves also refurbished other ball fields and began a grassroots campaign entitled Play Ball Atlanta. They plan on expanding the program next year in hopes of promoting baseball throughout every community in Metro Atlanta.
The Braves also developed a partnership with DH Stanton Elementary School, located two blocks from Turner Field, this year. They helped refurbish the school on Turner Volunteer Day and have recently began a program in which they send 20 of their employees to the school to help tutor some fifth-graders who are reading on a third-grade level.
When the partnership with DH Stanton was officially announced, Andruw Jones and Tim Hudson were there to speak to the children. The All-Star duo and their wives will also be present on Thanksgiving Day, when the Braves once again open the doors to Turner Field to house the massive Hosea Feed the Homeless and Hungry campaign.
Since beginning to host the event in 1998, the Braves have seen more than 315,000 people served food and provided cosmetic care at Turner Field on Thanksgiving.
"The Atlanta Braves Foundation's dedication to making a positive impact in the community is a commitment that extends far beyond the baseball season," said Braves senior vice president, sales and marketing, Derek Schiller. "Our long-standing partnership with Hosea Feed the Hungry exemplifies the giving tradition of the Atlanta Braves Foundation, as we welcome to Turner Field those most in need during the holiday season."
Hudson and his wife, Kim, brought some less-fortunate residents of the Turner Field some holiday cheer on Nov. 22, when they distributed turkeys to five different homes. The Turkey Drop campaign also included the distribution of five more turkeys to needy families at an area church.
"Our players and their wives are all about giving back," Newsome said. "When we have a program that they can help with, they are the first to step up to the plate because they want to give back."
When it came time for the Braves players to decide how they were going to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Smoltz led the charge and helped raise close to $60,000 that was given to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which provided for many of those forced out of their homes in Louisiana and Mississippi. It was an act that further showed why Smoltz was recognized by Major League Baseball as its Roberto Clemente Award winner this year.
Earlier this week, the Braves presented a $175,000 check to the Mississippi Red Cross. Combined between the players and the club, the Braves donated nearly $285,000 toward the efforts to provide relief for the victims of Katrina.
"I think that shows that an organization and a community can come together and come through in the clutch," Newsome said. "Our goal is to continue raising more money, so that we can give back to even more communities."
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
