BlueClaws Charities, New Jersey Natural Gas to Give Four Scholarships As Part of Copa de la Diversión Program

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – BlueClaws Charities and New Jersey Natural Gas have partnered on a brand-new scholarship program in conjunction with the team’s Medusas de Jersey Shore brand and Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative.

"Copa de la Diversión," or "Fun Cup," is a season-long event series specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams' local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities. As part of the program, the BlueClaws become the Medusas de Jersey Shore at select games during the season.

New Jersey Natural Gas, through BlueClaws Charities, will hand out four scholarships, each worth $500 to four different Hispanic high school seniors in Ocean or Monmouth Counties to be used as part of a continuation of their education.

“We are grateful to partner with New Jersey Natural Gas and award scholarships to four deserving high school seniors,” said Jim McNamara, Executive Director of BlueClaws Charities. “This scholarship is a new BlueClaws Charities initiative for 2023 and we are excited to help four deserving students continue their education.

“Our company is committed to creating a culture where all people are treated with dignity and respected for their unique, individual perspectives/diverse perspectives,” said Maria Diaz, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at New Jersey Resources. “We’re excited to continue our long tradition of recognizing the potential of young people in our communities with this new scholarship program.”

Applicants are instructed to fill out this form (click here for the online application). The application requires a one-page essay on the student’s background, goals for the future and how the scholarship would help them achieve their goals. Applicants are also required to share a letter(s) of recommendation from a teacher, coach counselor, or member of the community.

Applicants will be judged on both academic effort and character. Four winners will be selected, two male and two female Hispanic high school seniors from Monmouth & Ocean Counties. Winners will be honored on the field before the Medusas de Jersey Shore game on Friday, June 2^nd in a special ceremony with representatives from BlueClaws Charities and New Jersey Natural Gas.

All scholarship applications are due by Monday, May 15th.

The BlueClaws will become the Medusas de Jersey Shore on three occasions this year: June 2^nd, Thursday, July 27^th, and Thursday, August 17^th. At these games, the BlueClaws wear special jerseys to become the Medusas de Jersey Shore. There are also food and drink specials, music, and the team celebrates the best of Hispanic culture and heritage.

About BlueClaws Charities

BlueClaws Charities is the official 501c3 organization of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. BlueClaws Charities raises funds throughout the year at ShoreTown Ballpark, via a nightly 50-50, jersey auctions, through special online raffles, and through fundraising events. Money is distributed via an end-of-season grant program. In 2022, the organization handed out grants to 40 non-profit organizations.

About New Jersey Natural Gas

New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. NJR and its more than 1,300 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve^® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project^® and The Sunlight Advantage^®. For more information about NJR, visit NJResources.com.

-BlueClaws / New Jersey Natural Gas-