Fifth Third Bank Field Day

After a shower of rain in Tampa, during an early cloudy morning, the parking lot at George M. Steinbrenner Field shone with the color of bright yellow school buses. Children, orderly on instruction from their teachers, spilled out of the buses with their adult monitors. Nothing could dampen the spirit of the children, happy to be out of the classroom. During this May day they appeared ready for the freedom and fun a day at the ballpark provides.
Nearly 4,000 Hillsborough County School District, 23 different schools, students and staff walked in files to climbed the steps and experience the grandeur of George M. Steinbrenner Field. Once in their seats, the students were easily identified by teeshirts in a rainbow of school colors. Whole sections of the stadium were filled with kids for this, just for them, 10:30 a.m. game.
Under the guide of C. Vance Smith, Vice President, Business Operations and the Partnership & Community Activation team, in partnership with Tampa Tarpons, Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees and Fifth Third Bank, thousands of students were welcomed to the "Fifth Third Field Day" at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. A member of FDIC. www.53.com   During this "Fifth Third Day Field Day" of children, Fifth Third continues to reinforced their mission to provide banking learning opportunities.
Fifth Third offers financial education, from elementary school to adulthood. The Fifth Third "Young Bankers Club" teaches money basics at an early age. High School students are offered "Fifth Third Bank Finance AcademySM" which teaches teens real-life instruction on purchasing power, from buying a car to completing Financial Assistance forms (FASFA). For adults, the Fifth Third "Empower U" courses teach investing, financial planning, education savings, home ownership and more.
Booths and exhibits were set-up at the stadium Concourse Level and students were guided to experience fun with interactive financial lessons. Throughout the game financial literary tips and math questions were displayed on the stadium video board for students to answer.
A chorus of children's voices accompanied the Tampa Tarpons players in singing our National Anthem.
Clearly, the attention of the students was on the game of Florida State League, Tampa Tarpons vs. Dunedin Blue Jays, Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. For the children it was all about jumping up and down and loudly cheering after hits and runs by the teams on the field.
The students enjoyed hotdogs, chips, refreshments and goodies. Between innings there was music programed with assistance from Eric Bio, played through public address system for students to sing-along, wiggle by their seats and exercise current dance moves. Tampa Tarpons mascot BLUE danced and entertained right along. The YMCA was the popular tune to sing and display their arm movements.
The New York Yankees organization works diligently each season to ensure different groups of students are included on school day outings at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Up in the Press Box, I was able to greet the Down Syndrome/Development Disabilities guests from Reese Group Home of Tampa Bay, Inc. The Life Skills Development Group (LSD). Currently under the administration of Director, Valarie Martin. This program has tenure. The Group home was started by a young couple, Linda and Robert Reese, both pastors, who envisioned a long-term need. Most residents at Reese have no parents, now in adulthood, most have been in their care since childhood. "Raymond" in Reese care since he was a youngster is now 56 years old. The school receives the support of the Pilgrims Rest Missionary Baptist Church and volunteers; Team Noah, Loyal Ladies, Usher Ladies, Faithfully Fit Ladies, and Women of Wisdom.
Seating in the Press Box was required for our Autistic/Development Disabilities guests and their companions. The area provided a quiet, relaxed, comfortable view of the field and the players. Most fans attention was drawn to the game activity on the field. They enjoyed hot dogs, potato chips and liquid refreshment. The Press area seating also provided a place where select caretakers could tend to the personal needs, in a nearby handicap access facility, for this special group of fans.
It was a happy time as Fifth Third Bank representative handed out piggy banks and rubber baseballs. The Reese Group ladies made sure a coin was placed inside the little green piggy banks and we then heard the jingle of the coins in the banks. One fan sitting nearby sought attention as he grasped with both hands and happily showed me his toys.
The students, too soon, filed out of their stadium seats, noisily heading to their yellow school buses to be driven to their schools for dismissal. They carried souvenirs and happy chatter of a ballgame to share with parents and family, as we look forward to their return.
On the field, it was Minor League Baseball as usual for the Tampa Tarpons players, the visiting team and the remaining fans at George M. Steinbrenner Field.