CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs are once again proud to partner with their parent organization, the New York Yankees and for the HOPE Week Initiative. The initiative runs from August 17-21, and RiverDogs players, coaches and front office staff will make appearances throughout the Lowcountry during the five-day outreach.
This will be the seventh year in which the 27-time World Series Champions Yankees have held their HOPE Week Initiative. HOPE is the acronym for “Helping Others Persevere and Excel,” and this will be the fourth time that the RiverDogs will bring the concept to Charleston.
Contributing sponsors and facilitating institutions that are involved include Frankie’s Fun Park, ACW Limo, Monza Pizza and One80 Place.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner once again with the New York Yankees for such a fantastic cause,” said RiverDogs Director of Community Relations Haley Kirchner. “It is a great way for us to continue to be active in the community and to recognize some truly amazing people.”
“This initiative in which we’re partnering with the Yankees has been part of our makeup for several years as we have hosted ‘Dogs With A Cause’ at every Monday home game and the HOPE Initiative takes it to another level,” said General Manager Dave Echols. “Part of our overall marketing initiative stems from our being very active in our community, and this actively involves the players in which our fans will certainly enjoy.”
The RiverDogs will participate in events every day from August 17-21 to garner awareness for highlighted causes, individuals and organizations. In addition, every day over the five-day period, a different non-profit organization and/or family in need will receive an once-in-a-lifetime experience of interaction with RiverDogs players and an evening of fun at a RiverDogs game.
The RiverDogs and all of the Yankees’ affiliates received a citation from the President’s Volunteer Service Award for last year’s HOPE Week.
The schedule includes:
Monday, August 17: Major Thomas Richmond and Jennifer Richmond
Major Thomas Richmond and Jennifer Richmond have been with the Salvation Army organization for 20 years and currently serve as the Commanding Officers and pastors here in Charleston. Their work covers the Berkley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties where they oversee The Salvation Army’s work.
Major Thomas Richmond and Major Jennifer Richmond will be coming by the stadium early to watch batting practice from the dugout and meet the players before the game.
Tuesday, August 18: The Green Heart Project
The Green Heart Project is a community-based volunteer organization that builds garden-based, experiential learning projects to educate students, connect people and cultivate community in the greater Charleston Area.
Players will assist the Green Heart Project by working in their Mitchell Elementary garden in order to prepare it for the coming school year and fall growing season with their students.
Wednesday, August 19: Keys for Hope
Keys for Hope was started by a group of kids in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. They wanted to raise money and awareness for our local homeless shelter, One80 Place. This project inspires and engages kids by decorating recycled, painted keys and turning them into little symbols of hope (key chains, necklaces, zipper pulls and ornaments). So far they have raised $68,000 and are well on their way to reaching their fundraising goal of $100,000. Keys can be purchased at the RiverDogs game that evening.
Players will be spending the afternoon serving lunch at the One80 Place, the main beneficiary for the Keys of Hope Organization
Thursday, August 20: Surfers Healing Folly Beach Camp
Surfers Healing is the original surf camp for children with autism and will be entering its 8th year at Folly Beach. Although what they offer isn’t a ‘cure’, or even ‘traditional’ therapy, it’s a completely different sensation and environment for the participants. They give individuals a chance to encounter the waves, to challenge themselves, to try something new. Since 1 in every 68 US children has an ASD, their work is more vital than ever.
Players will be on site at the camp handing out medals to the children who complete their surfing lesson, passing out water and hanging out with the kids at the beach.
Friday, August 21: Abigail Grace Lee
Abigail Grace Lee, a 4-year-old girl born with mosaic Down Syndrome and hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition in which parts of the left side of the heart failed to develop completely. As Abigail prepared for her third open-heart surgery, blood tests revealed another problem: she had acute myeloid leukemia. After completing a few rounds of chemo Abigail’s test results revealed that she was CANCER FREE! She has put up an incredible fight against and through the entire process kept her spunk!
Players will be escorting Abigail in a limo to one of her favorite places, Frankie’s Fun Park. They will spend the morning hanging out with Abigail while partaking in all of her favorite activities at Frankie’s.
Visit www.RiverDogs.com or contact Haley Kirchner at 843/723-7241 for more information. Just a few RiverDogs games remain – be sure to get your tickets today by calling the Box Office at 843/577-DOGS or visiting RiverDogs.com. If you can’t make it to the games, be sure to tune in to “The Big Talker” 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, RiverDogs.com and via the Tune-In Radio App.
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