Sounds Recognized For ALS Contributions
Published on October 8, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
Tens of thousands of baseball fans across America are now more aware of Lou Gehrig's disease and its impacts on patients, families and caregivers as a result of ALSA's involvement in Minor League Baseball's Charity Partners program.
In addition to increasing the public's awareness of the disease, fans made generous donations to patient services and research at stadium events sponsored by ALSA and teams during the first year of the program.
The official "scorer" âThe ALS Association, ALSA chapters and Minor League Baseball â has issued a final decision on the Charity Partners program: it was a hit all the way.
"Absolutely," said ALSA Central Tennessee Chapter Executive Director Beth West. "One of the most important aspects of the events is that it brings the ALS community together, and that includes our board, volunteers and patients. It's a positive, uplifting event where we know we are raising awareness and funds. It's a place where families can come for a night of fun and fellowship."
Patients at West's chapter are reaping the benefits of game event proceeds.
"Funds from our events help the Central Tennessee Chapter provide a Respite Care program, a full-time staff person whose sole responsibility is to directly assist patients, education materials, funding for national research projects and many other programs to help improve the quality of life for ALS patients."
The relationship between the Central Tennessee Chapter and the Nashville Sounds was "terrific" even before the Charity Partners program, said West.
At the Lou Gehrig Birthday Celebration event, a double-header no less, the 250-person ALSA group paraded around the diamond in between games while volunteers who waded through the crowd distributed Lou Gehrig baseball cards and collected $2,100. In total, the event, which included a pre-game picnic and silent auction, raised $6,500. That amount was also achieved when the team decided to donate $3 for each $10 ticket sold by the chapter.
"The Nashville Sounds are an absolutely fabulous supporter of our chapter," said West. She gives big kudos to the team's director of marketing and public relations, Brandon Vonderharr, who also serves on her chapter's development committee. "Brandon and the Sounds will do anything they can for us all-year round, including providing us with tables and chairs for our Walk to D'Feet ALS®. He really gets involved with our cause and is really touched by it."
"Our relationship with ALS stems from our continual commitment to community-oriented programs," said Vonderharr, who brainstormed the Sounds' initial ALS event in conjunction with what would have been Gehrig's 100th birthday during the summer of 2003. "Working to aide the research related to Lou Gehrig's disease is a natural fit for the Sounds and all of baseball."
"ALSA and Minor League Baseball really got the ball rolling this season," said ALSA President and CEO Gary Leo. "As with any winning team, expectations will be greater next time. We are grateful to Minor League Baseball for giving us the chance to pitch public awareness of the disease and help us one day strike it out."
The Charity Partners program has strengthened the already strong bond between ALSA and Minor League Baseball. "Minor League Baseball has always been honored to be associated with ALSA and this important cause," said the President of Minor League Baseball Mike Moore. "There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that the program has helped ALSA attain its goals, that our fans are now more informed about ALS, and that our young players of today could become ALSA's torchbearers of tomorrow."
Altogether, the 26 chapters put close to $65,000 on the scoreboard in events with Minor League Baseball teams this season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from October 8, 2004
- Express Named 2004 Round Rock Small Business of the Year - Round Rock Express
- Redbirds Welcome Baseball Legends - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds Recognized For ALS Contributions - Nashville Sounds
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.
