Homers equal dollars for United Way

Published on August 6, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Through 113 games this season, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have knocked 92 home runs out of the ballpark.

But in northeastern Pennsylvania, those round-trippers are making a difference in ways far more complex than wins or losses.

The Yankees have for the 2007 season once again partnered with the United Way of Lackawanna County and the United Way of Wyoming Valley in the nonprofit organizations' Home Run Team Program.

For every home run hit by the Yankees this season and in the playoffs, participating sponsors have agreed to donate $25 to the United Way for use in its programs and services to help give back to the community.

The Home Run Team Program has raised more than $500,000 since the program's inaugural season in 1990 and has helped raise $34,500 to date in 2007.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons were also involved in the program, from 1990 through 2006.

Before the season began, those orchestrating the Home Run Team Program for 2007 contacted local businesses about the possibility of contributing to the United Way by way of the long ball. Fifteen ultimately stepped up to the plate and pledged $25 per homer.

Cathy A. Beretski, the Wyoming Valley chapter's Senior Director Resource Development, said that the Home Run Team Program is unique because of the number of people it touches.

"The combination between the Yankees and the United Way has been great, and we've really been able to get the community involved more," she said. "And it's not just the companies, but it's their employees that are involved, too. It's a feel-good thing, and everybody benefits from it."

In 2007, nine companies are contributing to the United Way of Wyoming Valley and chipping in $25 for every Yankees' home run. These nine businesses are: Borton-Lawson Architecture and Engineering, the Building Industry Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Citizens' Voice newspaper, Diamond Manufacturing Company, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Penn Millers Insurance Company, RCN, the law firm of Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, and the Times Leader newspaper.

Going to bat for the United Way of Lackawanna County are four companies: AAA North Penn, Fidelity Bank, the Times-Tribune newspaper and Moses Taylor Hospital.

Two businesses-ShurSave Supermarkets and Wegmans Food Markets-signed on to contribute to both United Way chapters and will split their donations equally among the two.

Beretski also said that with efforts like the Home Run Team Program, she hopes people would come to look at the United Way as more than just a group that seeks donations.

"We're not just a fund-raising organization, but a community problem solver, too," said Beretski, who first became involved with the Home Run Team Program in 1998 and who started with the United Way of Wyoming Valley in 1991. "When people ask what the United Way does, it's hard for me to say in just a few words or phrases.

"We have our four areas-building stronger families, increasing independence for the elderly and disabled, meeting emergency needs and promoting youth development-that we focus on, but all the money we raise with programs like this one goes back into agencies in the communities, which in turn put the money into programs for things like victims' resources or domestic violence."

The United Way Night at the Ballpark is currently scheduled for the Yankees' Tuesday, August 14 tilt with Syracuse.

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International League Stories from August 6, 2007


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