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RiverDogs Again Join Yankees HOPE Week Initiative

Outings Planned for July 15-19 throughout the Lowcountry
July 12, 2014

CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs are once again proud to partner with their parent organization, the New York Yankees, for the HOPE Week Initiative. The initiative runs from July 15-19, and RiverDogs players, coaches and front office staff will make appearances throughout the Lowcountry during the five-day outreach.

This will be the sixth year in which the 27-time World Series Champion New York Yankees have held their HOPE Week Initiative. HOPE is the acronym for "Helping Others Persevere and Excel," and this will be the third time that the RiverDogs will bring the concept to Charleston. Contributing sponsors this year include Harris Teeter and Tideline Tours.

"We are excited about the opportunity to partner once again with the New York Yankees for such a fantastic cause," said RiverDogs Director of Community Relations Lauren Allio. "It is a great way for us to continue to be active in the community and to recognize some truly amazing people."

"This initiative in which we're partnering with the Yankees has been part of our makeup for several years as we have hosted 'Dogs With A Cause' at every Monday home game and the Hope Initiative takes it to another level," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. "Part of our overall marketing initiative stems from our being very active in our community, and this actively involves the players in which our fans will certainly enjoy." 

The RiverDogs will participate in events every day from July 15-19 to garner awareness for highlighted causes, individuals and organizations. In addition, every day over the five-day period, a different non-profit organization and/or family in need will receive an once-in-a-lifetime experience of interaction with RiverDogs players and an evening of fun at a RiverDogs game.

The RiverDogs and all of the Yankees' affiliates received a citation from the President's Volunteer Service Award for last year's HOPE Week.  

The schedule includes:

·         Tuesday, July 15: Warriors 4 Warriors Foundation

o   Warriors 4 Warriors Foundation provides emotional support and connection to women who have been diagnoses with breast cancer, are going through treatment and are survivors. They focus on quality of life for these women, their families, children and caretakers through their various programs.

o   Players will help put together care packages for women currently receiving treatment, deliver those care packages and help with a make-over through the Warriors Wear Lipstick program. 

·         Wednesday, July 16: Therapeutic Foster Parents, SC Youth Advocate Program

o   Carolyn & Martin Meier serve as the therapeutic foster parents for several years, serving the long-term needs of numerous medically fragile children in foster care. 

o   Players will join the Meiers and a social worker on a Dolphin Adventure boat tour through the Lowcountry marshes.

·         Thursday, July 17: Lowcountry Food Bank

o   The Lowcountry Food Bank's primary mission is to lead the fight against hunger in the area with a vision to end hunger in coastal South Carolina.

o   Players will work side-by-side with this summer's Food Works apprentices to prep meals for Meals on Wheels.

·         Friday, July 18: Mighty Mack and Scout

o   Mighty Mack is a six-year-old boy who suffers from a rare form of leukemia. His four-year-old sister, Scout, is his bone marrow donor.

o   Players will surprise Mack and Scout with a fun day at the ballpark, joining in on batting practice and other pregame activities.

·         Saturday, July 19: Fields to Families

o   Fields to Families is a nonprofit organization that helps the hungry in the Charleston community gain access to nutritious fruits and vegetables. When local farmers have fruit and vegetables that they can spare, either because they can't harvest them in time or because they simply can't use them, they contact Fields to Families. 

o   Players will go to the participating farms and pick/harvest unwanted produce that will then make their way to Lowcountry organizations that feed the hungry.

Visit www.RiverDogs.com or contact Lauren Allio at 843/723-7241 for more information.

--RIVERDOGS--