The Florida Marlins Community Foundation joined together with a variety of charities to help fight "Lou Gehrig's Disease" on July 4, 2009. In honor of Lou Gehrig's memory, Major League Baseball celebrated the 70th anniversary of Gehrig's famous speech and his words were read by Jeff Conine during a pre-game ceremony. Charities including the ALS Recovery Fund, ALS TDI, MDA Augie's Quest and ALS Association were provided game tickets and offered the opportunity to share information about their charity's mission to Marlins fans at the ballpark. A special online auction was offered to benefit the ALS Recovery Fund and the FMCF. The experiences were fulfilled on July 4th before the game including a 1st Pitch Opportunity and meet & greet with KC and the Sunshine Band.
The Fifth Annual Marlins Awards Dinner presented by Fox Sports Florida and hosted by the Florida Marlins Community Foundation took place on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Jungle Island. The event turned out to be a huge success and recognized the individual performances of Marlins players from the 2008 season and presented community based awards.
Several Marlins players including Marlins players Chris Volstad and Cameron Maybin help raise funds on March 21 at the 2009 Spring Training Basebowl Tournament. The event took place at Jupiter Lanes and benefitted the Quantum House, Marlins / Cardinals Fund and FMCF. 36 teams bowled all in the name of charity.
From February 9-13, 2010, Marlins players and front office personnel will travel to South Florida locations to introduce and welcome back the 2010 Marlins players into the community. The Marlins Caravan will include two annual events: Marlins Celebrity Golf Classic presented by Sharp Business Systems and the Marlins Awards Dinner presented by Fox Sports Florida. The Caravan will culminate with FanFest where the FMCF will organize its first Garage Sale of the year. For more information about any Caravan event, please call 305-623-6497.
The BankUnited Celebrity Golf Classic presented by Sharp Business Systems and driven by Champion Audi took place on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Bonaventure Country Club in Weston, FL. This event offered the opportunity to join Marlins players, coaches, broadcasters and other local celebrities during a day on the links. The tournament included 18 holes of golf, continental breakfast, exciting contests, unique auction items, great prizes, cocktail reception and awards dinner.
The 13th Annual Dinner on the Diamond took place on May 17, 2009 on the field at Land Shark Stadium after the Marlins/Dodgers game was complete. This annual event allowed fans to get to know Marlins players on a personal level and experience the thrill of spending the afternoon on the playing field, enjoy interactive games, taste food inside the bullpen, bid on auction items and much more. Dinner on the Diamond Honorary Event Chairman, Cody Ross, as well as other Marlins players, front office personnel and Billy The Marlin spent plenty of time talking with Marlins fans of all ages. Many guests brought blankets to enjoy the picnic on the field, which were donated to Camillus House at the conclusion of the event. Hundreds of guests were welcomed on the field for Dinner on the Diamond which raised over $30,000 for the benefitting charities Camillus House, Daily Bread Food Bank and the Florida Marlins Community Foundation.
On June 5, 2009, the 11TH Annual Dollars and Strikes night allowed over 100 children from various Boys & Girls Clubs units to enjoy an evening with the Marlins. Children watched the Marlins from the all-you-can-eat Power Alley seats along with 100 donors for the Clubs. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America is the official charity of Major League Baseball and the Florida Marlins. The event also featured an honorary first pitch by the Youth of the Year, Justin Hankerson, and a check presentation of $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County.
Your tax-deductible donation to the Florida Marlins Community Foundation will go towards purchasing tickets so less fortunate youth in South Florida will have the opportunity to attend a Major League Baseball game. Children who participate in local South Florida youth organizations will experience the thrill of a Major League ballpark and experience memories that will last forever.
All the youth were invited to attend a game either on September 11 or 13 vs. the Washington Nationals. The top donor from the 2009 Fans Care Weekend threw out a ceremonial First Pitch on September 13. Also representatives from Citi Bank, Estate of Charles Epstein, Ravenscroft and TSS Photography participated in a pre-game ceremony on the field. From 2004-2009, the Fans Care program has enabled over 60,000 children to attend a Marlins game.
The Florida Marlins Community Foundation (FMCF) hosted its 3rd annual Fish 'N Chips Casino Party presented by Fox Sports Florida at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. The event raised $45,000 to benefit the Florida Marlins Community Foundation's Cornerstones for Kids programs and the Sun Sentinel Children's Fund.
Event co-chairs Fredi Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Jeff Conine were joined by coaches, players and an elite group of community leaders, celebrities and socialites for an evening of fun and stakes at the Craps, Blackjack, Roulette and Poker tables. A lush rose petal filled table with floating candle lights and orange rose pillars with baseballs seated on top, along with the tropical sounds of island music, Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids greeted guests as they entered the resort. The evening featured an array of hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants, cocktails, music, a silent auction filled with exciting items and a Tiffany & Co. "Mystery Box" wall.
Join the Florida Marlins Community Foundation at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach on Sunday, October 4 for the last game of the Marlins regular season. The end of the year "Foundation Celebration" will offer a variety of food, soft drinks and bowling for a $20 donation at the door. Bring your family and friends while celebrating the last regular season with the FMCF. For information about this event, visit www.cornerstones4kids.com. Raffle prizes will be provided throughout the event. If you would like to donate an item to the raffle just let us know and your company.
The 2009 Annual Garage Sale took place on Wednesday, September 23 during the Marlins game at the Community Corner (section 149). Fans shopped for a variety of autographed items from current Marlins and former players. There were promotional items, framed memorabilia and a variety of game-used equipment offered to baseball fans. Over $5,500 was raised at the event.
The 2009 Fox Sports Florida Fantasy Auction, presented by Tommy Bahama raised over $85,000 during the telecast of the Marlins/Orioles game on June 23, 2009. For the 4th consecutive year, Fox Sports Florida hosted a special on-air auction giving viewers the opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime packages on the Sharp Business Systems Big Board as well as additional items through the mini-board. Another fundraising opportunity included Marlins Pledge Packs for a $100 donation that included items such as a Cody Ross baseball, Marlins shirts and Tommy Bahama items. The event was available to all fans in the VIP Party area and to all viewers who were watching from home.
Steve Liverani, senior vice president and general manager of Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports said "The event continues to grow in popularity each season and it is a wonderful opportunity to work with our team partner to raise funds and awareness for such a worthy cause."
"We were not sure how it would go with the weather challenges and the current state of the economy," said Nancy Olson, Executive Director of the Florida Marlins Community Foundation. "However, the people of South Florida showed their generosity and broke last year's record. This year our goal was to increase our sponsorship to Teach for America from four to five teachers. We will be able to do this for the 2009-2010 school year and help other organizations through our grant program."
The 11th Annual MDA Jerseys Off Their Backs raffle offered fans the chance to win one of fifteen game-used & signed Marlins jerseys on Saturday, September 26. This was a tremendous opportunity for Marlins fans to attempt to win a rare item from his/her favorite Marlins.
Winners in attendance found out what jersey they won during a ceremony after the Marlins/Mets game. The annual raffle raised over $8,900 and helped fifteen Marlins fans remember the 2009 season with a very unique Marlins memento.
The 2009 Minor League Night with the Marlins took place on Friday, September 11 at the Community Corner at section 149 during the Marlins game. Memorabilia from the Marlins Minor League affiliates was represented including the New Orleans Zephyrs, Jacksonville Suns, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Jupiter Hammerheads and Jamestown Jammers. These teams will be featured through various auctions, raffles and grab bags. Also in attendance this year was Jacksonville Suns pitcher Kyle Winters.
This annual event offered a chance to bid on auctions, win raffle prizes such as a 1st Pitch Opportunity, enjoy a buffet and help raise funds for the Florida State League scholarship program. Andrew Miller and Gaby Sanchez answered questions including Miller's own Autographs For Kids program.
The Florida Marlins Wives teamed together to host the Annual Marlins Wives Tackle Box Auction on Saturday, July 4 during the Marlins-Pirates game. The auction featured tackle boxes from Marlins players with game-used equipment, autographed items and other objects unique to each player's personality. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the SOS Children's Village which provides a safe home for abused, abandoned or severely neglected foster children. It gives the kids a nurturing family, a supportive neighborhood and the special resources they need to become productive adults, thereby empowering them to become contributing members of society.
*Participants for this event must be 21 years of age or older.
Attention major league beer-lovers: While the playoffs are in full swing, Whole Foods Market Coral Springs presents the 2nd Annual World Series of Beer. Participants will be matched-up with eight different brews and taste test until the ultimate champion is determined. The cost to participate in this competition is $10 per adult, ages 21 and up. All participant fees will be donated to the Florida Marlins Community Foundation. Space for participants is limited to the first 50 so register now at the store's customer service desk.
Anyone is welcome to watch the World Series of Beet though all participants must be 21 years and up. Experience a great baseball atmosphere with Marlins broadcaster Rich Waltz, Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids while supporting a great cause. With questions, please call (305) 623-6497.
The Foundation hosted Marlins and Cubs fans at Wrigleyville during the three-game series from July 31- August 2. FMCF organized auctions, raffles, mystery items and more to raise funds at the Community Corner (section 149) during the series. Andre Dawson, who played for the Marlins and Cubs and is a current Special Assistant to the Marlins President, welcomed fans by signing free autographs and took photographs on Friday, July 31. The event was successful in helping raise funds for the Cornerstones For Kids programs while creating a fun atmosphere at the ballpark.
The 2009 Spring Training Youth Baseball Clinic took place on March 7, 2009 at Roger Dean Stadium. It offered the opportunity to learn from the pros on the practice field, batting cages and pitching mounds of the Marlins. Players and coaches instructed the participants on the fundamentals of baseball including pitching, hitting, fielding and base-running stations.
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