OKC Dodgers Announce the Establishment of the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation

OKLAHOMA CITY-The Oklahoma City Dodgers and team President/General Manager Michael Byrnes are proud to announce the establishment of the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation.

The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to impact the lives of the families in the state of Oklahoma, provide educational opportunities for our youth and support the first responders of our great state through charitable contributions and programming initiatives.

The foundation launches its first fundraising initiative on Saturday, April 25, when the Oklahoma City Dodgers join with the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum in the commitment to the Oklahoma Standard.

The Oklahoma Standard initiative was launched by the National Memorial and Museum at the beginning of April to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Murrah Building bombing. Those who commit to the Oklahoma Standard are encouraged to perform acts of service, honor and kindness. Fans who attend Saturday's game against the Omaha Storm Chasers will also be able to commit to the Oklahoma Standard by signing up with representatives from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

More than 30,000 students visit the National Memorial and Museum every year at the cost of $7 per student. Offering grants for student admission and transportation is an important issue as schools continue to struggle with funding for field trips and other off-campus learning opportunities. The Memorial works to ensure that every school group wishing to visit the Memorial can do so, and relies on the generosity of donors and visitors who pay it forward.

Beginning Saturday, the Dodgers will be collecting donations during home games through May 19 to help fund these class trips to the Memorial.

"The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation will allow us to strengthen our commitment to the community," Byrnes said. "The opportunity to assist in the funding of students to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum seemed like a natural fit as a program to launch our foundation."

Prior to the start of Saturday's game, the Dodgers will dedicate two ceremonial first pitches to OKC Police Department Deputy Chief Johnny Kuhlman and OKC Fire Chief G. Keith Bryant. There will also be a special game ball and lineup card delivery by Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, and celebrations of the Oklahoma Standard throughout the game.

To join the Oklahoma City Dodgers in the commitment to the Oklahoma Standard on Saturday, April 25, call (405) 218-1000, go to okcdodgers.com, or visit the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark box office to purchase tickets.

About the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation: The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation was formed in 2015 as an Oklahoma not-for-profit corporation to provide educational opportunities for the youth of Oklahoma and support the first responders of the state of Oklahoma through charitable contributions and programming initiatives. The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation has applied for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Unless and until such status is granted, a contribution to the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation will not be immediately tax deductible; however, such contribution will be tax deductible on a retroactive basis if the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation is granted that status within 27 months of the date of such­ donation.