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10/08/2009 5:24 PM ET
Naturals make non-profits big winners in 2009
Several team initiatives make contributions to NWA communities
By Frank Novak / Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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 The Naturals' mascot Strike, was out and about a ton in our community as part of the Naturals' ongoing community relations efforts.
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SPRINGDALE, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals increased their giving to local charities, community organizations and schools during the team's 2009 season. The Naturals, with the help of several of the team's corporate partners and its fans, donated a value of more than $200,000 this season in cash, donations and benefits.
"We believe its part of our mission to give back to all of the communities in Northwest Arkansas that have embraced us in our first two seasons," said Naturals' General Manager Eric Edelstein. "We are excited about making an even larger impact in 2010."
Two season-long promotions generated over $13,000 in cash for charities. "Pack the Park Mondays," a new initiative for the 2009 season, raised over $6,400 for 12 different non-profits who participated in promoting Monday games.
Launch-A-Ball fundraisers after every Friday night home game also raised $6,600 for charities; 100% of proceeds from the sale of rubber baseballs used in the game are given to that Friday's charity partner. So far, 20 charities have benefited from Launch-A-Ball.
The Naturals made donations of tickets and baseball memorabilia to charity fundraising events all over Northwest Arkansas. During the 2009 season nearly 2,000 tickets were donated to silent auctions, and non-ticket donations to those auctions amounted to nearly $6,000. In addition, through Proctor and Gamble's Bat Brigade program, tickets were donated each weekend to underprivileged youth.
The Naturals donated thousands of additional tickets for community-based initiatives. 3,000 more tickets were donated to Title 1 students to come to a School Kids Day game. These are children that otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience Naturals baseball. Next season, that program will be expanded further. 2,000 more tickets were donated as part of the Naturals Reading Program.
Children who participated in the contest got tickets to a game and were able to participate in a pre-game parade on the field. The Naturals also made visits to local libraries to kick off the program.
The Naturals' Pink in the Park night to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation also was a new addition and was a success. Players wore pink jerseys which were auctioned off during the game. The Naturals also donated a percentage of pink cotton candy sales and the Launch-A-Ball proceeds from the Friday night game en route to raising over $6,300 to fight cancer. Other community awareness days at Arvest Ballpark, such as Autism Awareness Night, Heat Illness Awareness Night, Bark in the Ballpark served to increase awareness and give local non-profits a platform to educate the community on their causes.
In 2009, Naturals staff, players and mascot Strike were also busy away from the ballpark, with the staff giving more than 400 hours and the players and mascots chipping in over 350 hours to community service and appearances. The ballpark was also buzzing with community activities on off days and during the off-season, hosting charity functions like the Cancer Challenge 10K/5K run and the Walk D'Feet ALS, as well as the ADA Tour d'Cure and other events.
For two years now, the Naturals have also participated in the summertime CBCO Bleed Blue Thursday Blood Drive as well as the Toys for Tots Drive, serving as a host site and toy collector. In December 2008, Arvest Ballpark collected nearly 2,500 toys, more than any other collection point in Northwest Arkansas. For more information about the Naturals efforts with local charities or how you can get your non-profit involved, please call (479) 927-4900.
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. The 2010 season begins on Thursday, April 8th. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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