Manatees final home game tonight

Published on September 1, 2005 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


Fans, let's forget about baseball right now. I know that's tough when the Manatees are on the verge of taking over 1st place, fighting for a playoff berth, and our final home game of the season is on our doorstep.

There are thousands of Americans that are homeless and without food and water tonight that desperately need our help. This is a disaster that is beyond most of our comprehension and just about everybody has somebody affected by it. For me, it's my in-laws living in Gulfport, Mississippi, that we finally made contact with tonight just over an hour ago; the first we've heard from them since Monday morning just before the hurricane ripped their city apart. Their stories made me shudder and there are tens of thousands that are probably worse off.

If you live in Florida you know only too well what it means to have a hurricane bearing down on you, the uncertainty, that helpless feeling. You can surely remember living with no power, telephone or air conditioning; the spoiled food, no fresh water for days on end. It's agonizing, it's frustrating and it completely demoralizes you...most of us felt that pain last year during the four hurricanes that ripped our state apart.

But when we needed help America came to our aid; just as New Yorkers experienced during the World Trade Center bombings, America came to the rescue. We become one when disaster strikes, that's why we live in the greatest country in the world. That's what makes us Americans.

Last year there were power companies from Vermont, Ohio and Alabama. There were construction firms from Virginia and North Carolina, and rescue personnel from all over the US and Canada. And there was the American Red Cross.

Now Minor League Baseball teams across the US and Canada are scrambling to host fundraisers in our individual ballparks before the season comes to an end this Labor Day Weekend. That's an incredible short period of time to plan and execute a large scale fundraiser, but Mike Moore, the President of Minor League Baseball, and Chuck Murphy, the President of the Florida State League, know that they can rely on the 12 teams in the Florida State League. They know our fans will support it if we can put together fundraising activities in short order.

We have joined forces with the good folks at Via Tuscany Apartments to rally the community around a stadium fundraiser tomorrow and a second fundraiser/blood drive at Via Tuscany Apartments on Saturday, September 24th.

At last night's game against the Daytona Cubs we began auctioning off game worn jerseys and other baseball collectibles with 100% of the proceeds going to this fundraising. Roy Lake, President and Owner of Chocolate Moose, our official food and drink provider at Space Coast Stadium, donated 100% of its proceeds last night to the cause and will do it again tonight.

He has lowered all concession prices for everything to a flat $2 rate to encourage fans to bring the family out to the game and have dinner at the ballpark. All concessions are $2 across the board while supplies last. That's everything in the concession stands, from hot dogs to beers to soft drinks...all $2, and Chocolate Moose will again donate its proceeds to the American Red Cross. This is no-brainer status...you buy a hot dog and a beer and the proceeds benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. You can't feed your family any place else in this community for less than what Chocolate Moose is charging for food and drink again tonight.

Maybe you're thinking that a couple bucks won't make a difference, but it will. Every avalanche begins with one snow flake, every tidal wave with one drop of water. And with 160 Minor League Baseball teams and fans conducting fundraisers with weekend, we can surely get the snowball rolling downhill.

The Manatees will have numerous items available in an in-game raffle, including season ticket packages for next season! You have to attend this game! We need you here to support this fundraiser. If you haven't attended a Manatees game this season, we need you here. If you can't make it, please have your business drop off a raffle item or prize that could be auctioned off and we'll still thank you for supporting the Red Cross. If you can't make it to the stadium, call me directly on my office line at (321) 633-4135 and we'll have a staff member pick it up.

If you are debating making a donation to the American Red Cross, c'mon out to the stadium because Red Cross representatives will be on site collecting donations and thanking you for your gracious support. Please do not bring food or clothing; it will not be collected on site at this time.

Early arriving fans will receive game used bats at the gate; perfect for collecting autographs on, so bring a pen or, better yet, pick up a Sharpie at the Gift Shop here at the stadium.

The Manatees are one game out with three games remaining in the season and can take over first place tomorrow on percentage points with a win and a Palm Beach loss to Jupiter. It's the last home game of the regular season and you and your family and friends can be a part of the excitement that is a fantastic pennant race. Gates open at 6:00 pm and the game against the Daytona Cubs will begin at 7:00 pm.

Fans, it's time Florida residents repaid the gift we received when our luck was down; please come help out this Minor League Baseball fundraiser.

And lastly, whether you choose to participate in this night or not, we need you to forward this fundraising email to your family and friends to help us drive attendance for this event. Please help make this a successful night for the American Red Cross.

Thanks for understanding; once again we truly appreciate your loyal support and can't thank you enough for a fantastic season for the Brevard County Manatees!

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Florida State League Stories from September 1, 2005


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