RiverDogs Again Join Yankees HOPE Week Initiative

Outings planned for June 11th - 17th throughout the Lowcountry

June 8, 2018

CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs are once again proud to partner with their parent organization, the New York Yankees, for the 2018 HOPE Week Initiative. The week-long community engagement runs from June 11^th through June 17^th, as RiverDogs players, coaches and the front office staff members will make community service appearances throughout the Lowcountry during the seven-day outreach.
This will be the ninth year in which the 27-time World Series Champions Yankees have held their HOPE Week. HOPE is the acronym for "Helping Others Persevere and Excel," and it will be the sixth time that the RiverDogs bring the concept to the Lowcountry.
Contributing sponsors and facilitating institutions that are involved include Raising Cane's, Chick-fil-A, East Bay Deli, Kickin' Chicken, and the Charleston RiverDogs.
"HOPE Week gives us the opportunity to recognize some outstanding people and organizations for their hard work and dedication to the Charleston community," said Director of Community Relations Walter Nolan-Cohn. "This week will shine a spotlight on those being recognized as well as the RiverDogs' ongoing community involvement."
"This initiative in which we partner with the Yankees has been part of our external makeup for six years so far," said President and 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, who enjoy it as much as the recipients do."
The RiverDogs will participate in events from June 11-17 to garner awareness for the highlighted causes, individuals and organizations. Additionally, every day over the seven-day period, a different non-profit organization and/or family in need receives a once-in-a-lifetime experience of interaction with RiverDogs players and then an evening of fun at a RiverDogs home game at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
The RiverDogs and all of the Yankees' affiliates have received a citation from the President's Volunteer Service Award for past years of HOPE Week.
The 2018 HOPE Week schedule:

Monday, June 11^th: The Spokes Group Charleston
- Founded in 2011, the Spokes Group Charleston aims to donate 500 bikes annually to Lowcountry children, often in under-served communities.
- To date, the Spokes Group Charleston has put more than 2,500 children of the Lowcountry on bicycles.
- RiverDogs players, coaches and staff will join children receiving bicycle donations in a bike-building event at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park.
- Lunch for all attendees will be donated by Raising Cane's.

Tuesday, June 12^th: Windwood Farm Home for Children, Inc.

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                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Windwood Farm Home for Children, Inc. focuses on<b> </b></span><span style="color:black">providing help, hope, and healing through behavioral, educational, and therapeutic interventions which enhance social functioning and well-being, ensures safety, and works to achieve positive permanency for children and families in our community.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Over the past 31 years, 500 boys have called Windwood Farm their home. The services provided here take them one step closer to a brighter future and successful life in our community.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">RiverDogs players, coaches and staff will lead an instructional baseball clinic teaching the boys of Windwood Farm the basic skills and knowledge of the game of baseball. </span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Lunch for all attendees will be donated by Chick-fil-A. </span></span></span></li>
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Wednesday, June 13^th: Charleston Animal Society

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                            <li style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Founded in 1874, the Charleston Animal Society focuses of the prevention of cruelty to animals and has never turned any local animals away.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">The vision of the organization is one where all healthy and treatable animals are saved. It's a vision where all people and animals are treated with respect and kindness. And it envisions a world where cruelty is not tolerated.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">RiverDogs players, coaches and staff will sponsor and participate in a 'Fence Build' through the Charleston Animal Society's "Pets for Life" program alongside other volunteers. </span></span></span></li>
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Thursday, June 14th: Fisher House Charleston

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                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Fisher House Charleston's mission is to provide temporary accommodations to veterans and their families while the veteran is receiving medical attention at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">This independent charitable and 501(c)(3) organization welcomed its first guests in January 2018 into a massive 15,000 square feet, 16 bedroom home-away-from-home in the heart of Charleston's historical downtown.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">RiverDogs players, coaches and staff will serve food at a cookout at the Fisher House Charleston alongside past and current residents and supporters.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Lunch for all attendees will be served courtesy of the Charleston RiverDogs.</span></span></span></li>
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Friday, June 15th: Charleston Freedom School

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                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">The Charleston Freedom school serves 50 low-income students annually and focuses on boosting motivation to read, generating more positive attitudes toward learning, and connecting more deeply within their own community.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">The program has five components: (1) literacy instruction, (2) social justice and civic engagement, (3) family involvement, (4) cultural arts immersion, (5) college exposure.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">RiverDogs players, coaches and staff will participate in a field day at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park with current Freedom School students, their families, along with school faculty and staff.</span></span></span></li>
                        </ul>
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Saturday, June 16th: The Charleston Miracle League

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                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">The Charleston Miracle League makes memories by providing a life-changing experience for children and adults with mental and physical challenges through a community supported baseball league. </span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">In addition, the Charleston Miracle League teaches volunteers of all ages, who typically serve as buddies for active players, the value of giving back to others and their community.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">RiverDogs players, coaches and staff will participate in an adaptive game of baseball with members of the league at The Charleston Miracle League Field in West Ashley. </span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">Lunch for all attendees will be donated by Kickin' Chicken.</span></span></span></li>
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Sunday, June 17th: MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

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                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center in South Carolina and is at the forefront of cancer research that is the driving force behind delivering medical advances to patients and their families, enabling them to educate health care professionals and the public, and to establish outreach services for underserved populations.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">As a cancer center that combines patient care and research, Hollings brings together over 180 physicians and scientists who are driving the discoveries that will lead to tomorrow's treatments.</span></span></span></li>
                            <li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><span style="color:black">The Charleston RiverDogs will be hosting the first ever Cancer Awareness Night in conjunction with the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and Stand Up 2 Cancer on Father's Day at 1:05 pm. Members of the Hollings Cancer Center will be on site being recognized for their hard work, and the team will be wearing special Cancer Awareness Day jerseys.</span></span></span></li>
                        </ul>
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The RiverDogs host the Asheville Tourists Monday through Thursday prior to entertaining the Greenville Drive Friday through Sunday.
For more information on the RiverDogs' HOPE Week, please contact Walter Nolan-Cohn at (843) 723-7241 or by email: [email protected].
--RIVERDOGS--