Patriots Tropical Storm Ida Relief Fundraising Reaches $35,000
Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, have announced that recent fundraising efforts by the team have raised $35,000 for Tropical Storm Ida relief in Central New Jersey. The team collected $17,500 through an online auction and 50/50 raffles at the ballpark. That amount was
Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, have announced that recent fundraising efforts by the team have raised $35,000 for Tropical Storm Ida relief in Central New Jersey.
The team collected $17,500 through an online auction and 50/50 raffles at the ballpark. That amount was then matched by the Kalafer family, Flemington Car & Truck Country Family of Brands, Clinton Honda, and Jaguar Land Rover Princeton.
We want to thank everyone that helped make our fundraising for Tropical Storm Ida relief a success!
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) October 12, 2021
We raised $35,000 with your generosity and a matching donation by the Kalafer family, @FCTC10, @ClintonHonda, and @PrnctLandRover.
“Patriots fans once again demonstrated why they are truly the best,” said Patriots Co-Chairman Jonathan Kalafer. “When our community needed them most, our fans showed up to support their neighbors and friends. Their generosity has inspired our family and our dealerships to do our part and match the fundraising total to assist in the recovery efforts.”
The online fundraising was done in partnership with MiLB Auctions and featured memorabilia, as well as experiences donated to the team. The top selling items included four tickets to see Hamilton on Broadway with a pre-show dinner at Bond 45 (donated by The Actors Fund), a Derek Jeter signed bat inscribed “HOF 2020” (donated by MLB), and a foursome at Trump National Golf Course Bedminster (donated by the Kalafer family).
Donations included items from the New York Giants, New York Knicks, and the New York Mets. Teams throughout the Double-A Northeast League sent autographed baseballs of their top prospects and recent alumni to help the cause.
Don't waste your shot to see 𝓗𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓽𝓸𝓷 on Broadway with 4 tickets and a pre-show dinner at Bond 45.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) September 20, 2021
Proceeds will benefit those affected by Tropical Storm Ida in Central NJ.
💰 | https://t.co/9mt2bGOeRu
🙏 | Donated by @TheActorsFund pic.twitter.com/CARRUGvycY
“We want to thank everyone that donated items, and of course all the bidders, that made the auction such a success,” said Somerset’s President/General Manager Patrick McVerry. “Each of the teams and organizations that donated items did so on short notice with the understanding of the pressing need to get help to those affected by the floods. We would not have been able to raise these funds without them.”
The Patriots hosted 50/50 raffles at the final three home games of the season and collected money at the ballpark and online to add to the fundraising totals.
“The next steps will be to get the money to the non-profits that will do the most good for those affected in Central New Jersey,” said Patriots Co-Chairman Josh Kalafer. “It was important to our team, our family, and the dealerships, that the fundraising would be distributed locally and in a timely manner. Our community needed help, and we wanted to show that we are here for them.”
The Patriots are planning additional fundraising efforts to continue raising money for Tropical Storm Ida relief. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.
About the Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are the New York Yankees Double-A Affiliate and develop today’s top minor league talent into the pinstriped superstars of tomorrow for MLB’s winningest team. The Patriots compete in the Double-A Northeast League and play their home games at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ, where fans of all ages and levels of baseball fandom get to enjoy the unique experience that is minor league baseball.
To learn more, visit: www.somersetpatriots.com.