Oaks to Adopt New Charity for 2004
Published on October 6, 2003 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA â For the second year in a row, the Visalia Oaks plan to adopt a local charity. Over the past ten months, the Pro Youth/HEART Program in Tulare County has been the recipient of several charitable contributions made by and on behalf of the Oaks.
The team is now searching for a new organization to be named as its primary charity.
"Part of our duty as a member of the community is to give something back," explained team General Manager Jennifer Whiteley. "We have received tremendous support from the people of Visalia and Tulare County. In turn this area deserves our support.
A new charitable action plan will be adopted for whichever organization is chosen this fall. "We are looking for an organization that is a good fit," said Whiteley.
"The Oaks offer an experience that falls into the realm of the HEART Program's mission, which worked well last season. There are many other creative ways our club can be used to help specific charities. We are looking for the best option for next year."
The HEART After School Program has been organized by Pro Youth at ten Tulare County elementary schools.
Pro Youth was the beneficiary of a campaign that brought over a thousand underprivileged elementary school students to Oaks home games, an experience that may not be duplicated for most of those children.
One of the goals of the HEART Program is to expose students to experiences in which they would not otherwise have the opportunity to partake. Museum visits, trips to the zoo and this case, a professional baseball game are among those experiences.
The Oaks donated food and tickets and coordinated additional financial contributions from several organizations, including all three Visalia Rotary Clubs, the Sequoia-Visalia Kiwanis Club and the Colorado Rockies. Those donations allowed students to be bussed to and from the events.
Oaks staff and players took time last spring to visit HEART Program students and discuss the importance of math and reading skills. Pro Youth also received a donation from the California League comprised of fines collected from players and managers over the course of the season.
Organizations that would like to be considered as the Oaks' Adopted Charity for 2004 are asked to submit an information packet including a proposal on how the team can be of assistance. The deadline for application is Friday, October 31 at 4 p.m. Applications can be submitted at the Visalia Oaks office, 440 North Giddings Street at Recreation Park. Questions should be directed to Jennifer Whiteley at 625-0480.
The charity to be adopted will be announced at the end of December.
More Than One: Donations made by the Visalia Oaks are not limited to just one charity. Dozens of non- profit organizations receive donations from the team throughout the year. Donation requests should be submitted on letterhead to the Visalia Oaks at 440 North Giddings Street, Visalia, California, 93291.
California League Stories from October 6, 2003
- Oaks to Adopt New Charity for 2004 - Visalia Rawhide
- 2004 Schedule - High Desert Mavericks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
