Fisher Cats, Fisher Cats Foundation Make Law Enforcement Donation
"This is one of the most meaningful and rewarding nights for our staff and fans at the ballpark each season," said Rick Brenner, Fisher Cats president. "Hosting this event and raising this money is a small way we can show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice each day."
The donation represents fifty percent of ticket sales since Law Enforcement Night was announced on May 1, as well as the silent auction of commemorative jerseys worn by the team during the game. Combined with additional fundraising elements, including a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and the auction of an autographed photo of Boston Bruins legend Cam Neely, money will be donated to the families affected by the Manchester and Greenland incidents this spring. The proceeds of the jersey auction, as they have since the initial Law Enforcement Night, will benefit the Manchester Police Athletic League.
Prior to the game, Governor John Lynch was awarded the Officer Michael Briggs Community Hero Award from Manchester police captain Richard Reilly. The governor was recognized for his staunch support of New Hampshire's law enforcement since he took office in 2005. In his final term in office, Governor Lynch was also presented with a lifetime membership as a good and honorable citizen to the New Hampshire Police Association by Sergeant David Young of the Lebanon Police Department.
Pre-game ceremonies were attended by representatives of the Manchester and Seacoast law enforcement agencies. Manchester officer Dan Doherty, who was shot and injured in the line of duty in March, threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Family members and friends stood in for the officers who were injured in the Greenland incident in April that resulted in the death of Greenland Chief of Police Michael Maloney.
The Fisher Cats began hosting Law Enforcement Night in 2007 after the death of Officer Briggs the previous fall. Officer Briggs' badge number, 83, is retired on the right field wall at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium as a commemoration of his ultimate sacrifice to keep his community a safe place to live.
The Fisher Cats return home on Wednesday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day with a 4th of July Atlas Fireworks Show. The seven-game, six-day homestand begins with three games against the Future Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs, and contains five consecutive nights of post-game fireworks beginning July 4. To order tickets and see the full promotional schedule, visit www.nhfishercats.com.
About the Fisher Cats Foundation
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats established the Fisher Cats Foundation to be a catalyst for the betterment of communities statewide by supporting youth programs that encourage education and promote healthy living. Through the generous support of players, employees, sponsors and fans, the Fisher Cats Foundation continuously works to make a positive impact throughout New Hampshire and north central Massachusetts.
As the primary funding source for the team's philanthropy, the Fisher Cats Foundation supports a wide variety of non-profit organizations and coordinates several fundraising programs and events. Efforts are focused on two cornerstone initiatives: hosting the Granite State Baseball Dinner benefiting Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) and providing scholarships to college-bound New Hampshire and Massachusetts students in partnership with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation and the Fisher Cats have provided more than $1.87 million in monetary and in-kind donations to over 2,500 non-profit organizations.