Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Triple-A Affiliate
The Official Site of the Rochester Red Wings Rochester Red Wings
Milo Making A Difference

Milo The Bat Dog

Rochester Red Wings Bat Dog, Milo, has announced his Milo Making A Difference campaign! Milo and the Red Wings have set a goal of raising $10,000 for two local organizations - Honor Flight of Rochester and the Veterans Outreach Center – during the 2023 season.

"Milo and I are thrilled to be back out on the field for yet another year fetching bats and making a difference in the community with the help of the Flower City Group. This year we are donating all of the proceeds to Honor Flight and Veterans Outreach Center. Being a veteran myself, it hits home being able to support these two phenomenal veteran nonprofit organizations." - Josh Snyder, Milo's Dad

"Honor Flight Rochester is a place where many friendships have been struck among our volunteers and with members of surrounding communities. Expanding our circle is important to how we fund veterans on future missions to Washington, DC. I am so pleased to welcome our new "Best Friend" Milo the Bat Dog whose fundraising efforts are greatly appreciated. - Rich Stewart, President, Honor Flight Rochester

“It’s incredible to work with such great community partners like the Rochester Red Wings and the Flower City Group,” Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director and U.S. Army Veteran Laura Stradley said. “Every day, Veterans Outreach Center engages with brave men and women from all branches of military service who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country. We are very grateful to have this kind of support from the Red Wings and the community to help us provide critical, life-changing services for veterans, completely free of charge. We appreciate all of the players and staff so much for their investment in our mission and their desire to join VOC in Serving Those Who Serve U.S.” - U.S. Army Veteran Laura Stradley, Executive Director, Veterans Outreach Center

As part of the initiative, the Red Wings have partnered with Flower City Group who will be donating $50 for every bat retrieved by Milo during the season.

“Flower City Group has been a proud supporter of the Rochester Red Wings for over 50 years. This year, we are delighted to once again sponsor Milo the Bat Dog and to support the Veterans Outreach Center and Honor Flight Rochester. Flower City Group is honored to partner with the Red Wings to support these two organizations which provide such critical services to veterans in our community.” - Steve Schuld, President, Flower City Group

The Flower City Group will also be sponsoring Milo Baseball Card giveaways on April 28, May 13, June 16, August 10, September 16 and a Milo Wing Wednesday shirt on July 19.

Fans can support the campaign by participating in one of two Meet-And-Pets scheduled for May 13 and August 25. A $10 donation will allow fans to meet Milo and get a photo with The Goodest Boy after he is done working. Meet-and-Pet passes can be purchased the night of the game (they will not be sold in advance).

Finally, a portion of the proceeds from all Milo merchandise sold this season will be donated as well.

In 2019, Milo helped raise $3,500 for the Wounded Veterans Foundation and in 2021 $2,336 was donated to T.A.P.S (Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors) through Milo merchandise. In 2022 Milo helped raise $13,696 for the Bivona Child Advocacy Center and the Society for the Protection and Care of Children (SPCC)

See below for a list of games Milo will be working this season!

Help Milo Reach His Goal...

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

Honor Flight of Rochester became an official hub in the Honor Flight Network in 2008. Since then the founding board and core group of volunteers have been actively engaged in building a viable organization to provide travel opportunity to thousands, rather than handfuls, of veterans residing in the greater Rochester community.

The Veterans Outreach Center of Rochester founded locally in 1973 by returning Vietnam Veterans, today’s Veterans Outreach Center remains anchored in our community and offers a comprehensive portfolio of supportive services designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Through the generosity of our community, all of these programs and services are provided free of charge.