Curve, Pa. Blue Out Saturdays Recognized with Golden Bobblehead
A season-long effort that started back in February, the Curve partnered up with Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania in an effort to raise awareness and funds to help prevent child abuse. The efforts began in early April with Altoona mayor William Schirf declaring April "Child Abuse Prevention Month" for the city of Altoona. The team wore specially designed blue jerseys at each of its 11 Saturday home games during the 2012 season, which were then auctioned off after the last Saturday home game on August 25. Curve front office members also wore blue for each of the Saturday home games with Curve fans also being encouraged to do the same to show their support for the cause.
"The most gratifying and important part of this is that more awareness will be raised for the cause," said Altoona Curve General Manager Rob Egan. "Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania is doing tremendous work and we look forward to continuing and extending our partnership with them. Many of our fellow Minor League Baseball clubs have expressed interest in doing the same."
In addition to the blue jersey tops, the club also helped raise funds through the sale of special Blue-Out Saturday t-shirts, PCA PA's blue pinwheels and wristbands and a "Text to Give" program during all Saturday home games. The Curve also reached out to each of the affiliated minor league teams in the state of Pennsylvania to help make it a statewide effort in the fight against child abuse with each of the six teams jumping on board.
With the collective efforts of the Curve, Erie SeaWolves, Harrisburg Senators, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Reading Phillies, State College Spikes and Williamsport Crosscutters, over $11,000 was raised during the season with over 74,000 fans receiving the Prevent Child Abuse PA message.
"We're grateful to the Pennsylvania minor league teams who joined us and hope they will continue in the cause," added Egan. "Curve Community Relations Director Elsie Gibney, our staff, the leaders at Prevent Child Abuse and the leaders at Blair County Children, Youth & Families also deserve much of the credit for implementing the program locally and throughout the Commonwealth."
Golden Bobblehead award winners are chosen by MiLB Promotional Seminar attendees in five categories, including the best overall winner. Finalists were selected in each category from the list of clubs who were nominated throughout the 2012 regular season. Teams were each given an opportunity to present their promotion or initiative before attendees voted for their favorite in each category.