Pelicans to host press conference benefitting children's hunger

Half-priced tickets given with donation of approved items

By Mason Robinson

May 11, 2015

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (MAY 11, 2015) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, are pleased to host the Help4Kids/Backpack Buddies Vienna Sausage Campaign press conference. On Monday, May 18, Help4Kids will announce their campaign to collect cases of Vienna sausages and other necessities for children in need. The event will be held in the picnic area by the Clark & Addison Grille, along the right-field side of TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. Barb Mains, Head Director for Help4Kids/Backpack Buddies, will attend the event, while program leader and HTC television personality, Diane DeVaughn Stokes, will emcee.

Help4Kids/Backpack Buddies is a volunteer organization that relies solely on donations. In 1989, after volunteering in the relief effort of Hurricane Hugo, Backpack Buddies was created by three women to assist children who were without basic necessities in Horry County. From food, to school supplies and new clothes, Backpack Buddies was created and now feeds over 3,000 children per week in 28 Horry County schools, and is operated exclusively by volunteers.

In order to collect enough cans to donate throughout the rest of the 2015 school year, the Help4Kids/Backpack Buddies Vienna Sausage Campaign will run from June 1 until the end of August/beginning of September.

"Hunger doesn't take the weekend off. Neither does Help4Kids/Backpack Buddies," said Lucille Serock, one of Help4Kids' volunteers.

At the press conference, donation checks will be presented by Jersey Mike's Subs, Woodmen of the World, the Employee Associates of Santee Cooper, Pulse Ultra Club of Myrtle Beach, and Little River Rotary Club, as contributions to kick off the campaign.

This year, the Pelicans will be an official drop off destination for Help4Kids/Backpack Buddies. The Pelicans will also have permanent drop-off locations for the Vienna sausages from May 18 until August 31 at the box office, Pelicans Pro Shop, and front office of TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. The Vienna sausage donation is in addition to the Pelicans Backpack Buddies Mondays, where fans can bring two items from the approved list and receive half price off admission to Monday home games. The list of approved items can be found here.

On June 1, the Pelicans will host a special drop off event, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. People who donate a case of any brand of Vienna sausages can participate in a "Swings for Charity" event, where those who contributed to the campaign will get 10 swings of batting practice on the field at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

The press conference on Monday, May 18, is open to public. Media and members of the community who wish to attend can enter from Gate 1, located by the Pelicans Box Office near right field. The press conference will start promptly at 11:00 a.m.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.