2015 Community Impact Report
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2015 Community Impact Report e com-mu-ni-tye /k `myoo de/ noun 1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. “The Joliet Slammers are part of the community” 2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals “the sense of community that events at Silver Cross Field provide” im-pact / im .pakt/ verb 1. the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. 2. have a strong effect on someone or something. “The Slammers have made a strong impact on Joliet and the surrounding communities” re-porte . /r port/ verb 1. an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body. “The Joliet Slammers second annual Community Impact Report” Community Impact Report 2.0 Last year, the Joliet Slammers presented our first Community Impact Report. That 2013 report reflected the successes and positive impact the Slammers had in and around the community. Some highlights included brand new events including concerts and softball, and a revamped food and beverage operation that improved quality while lowering costs. With this second annual report, the Slammers take a closer look at the economic impact over the last two years as tenants of Silver Cross Field. The Slammers have long contributed to the overall quality of living Joliet by providing affordable summertime entertainment for all ages. While the Slammers take great pride in being a community steward, it is even more important to the organization to recognize the financial contributions made over the last year. Further into this report you will find those numbers as a true asset to the City of Joliet and the surrounding communities. Silver Cross Field Has Welcomed Over 2.5 Million Visitors Since 2002 Highlights The Slammers are a critical part of the Joliet and Will County Community. In addition to over $88,000 in donations, the team has woven itself into the social fabric and continues to be a fun and affordable source of entertainment for residents. Continued school programs and initiatives along with appearances by big furry characters all contribute to the positive influence throughout our area. We are a critical engine of local wages and economic impact to the City and surrounding communities with over $650,000 in annual wages, over $350,000 in local spending and support, and over $135,000 in direct revenue to the City of Joliet. The team receives zero subsidies from the City and generates a profit for our landlord, the City of Joliet, every year. While some may have the perception that the team is subsidized, it is quite the opposite as 2014 maintenance costs for the building itself were taken on by the team to the tune of over $75,000. Local Employee Spending & (231) Wages $658,058 Support $350,000 Direct Charitable Revenue to Giving & City of Joliet $137,489 Donations $88,297 2014 Ballpark 500+ Hotel Rooms Maintenance by Slammers $76,205 219+ Events in 2014 In The Community Slammers players, coaches, and staff were involved all year but none made more of a contribution than shortstop, Max Casper (#4), shown in all three pictures. Max earned the 2015 Frontier League Fran Riordan Citizenship Award for his efforts in community and charitable work off the field. Casper was a hit with Slammers fans from the start as he greeted fans at our main entrance before games (yes, our starting shortstop was at the front gate greeting fans before playing) and then went on to lead the team defensively and at the top of our order. Manager Jeff Isom and Casper’s leadership carried over with the rest of the team throughout the year. With both back in the fold for 2015, the future looks bright. In The Community Continued The Slammers continue to make every effort to be a part of local events. Pictured above from left to right you find J.L. Bird at the Minooka Intermediate School Family Learning Night. Slammers front office members lending a hand on MLK Day at CDS (Center for Disability Services), Spikes showing love at the Plainfield Irish Parade, and of course Slammers players pitching in with the downtown cleanup last spring. Here is a list of other events and local organizations the Slammers are involved with: Parades Chambers - Joliet Easter - Joliet (and Alianza) - Plainfield Irish - Bolingbrook - Joliet Thanksgiving - Tinley Park - Joliet “Wish” - Plainfield - Grundy County Expos - Hosted Grundy After Hours - Joliet Chamber of Commerce / Joliet Mall - Hosted Alianza After Hours - University of St. Francis Ready for School - Hosted JAYP Event - New Lenox Family - Lockport Senior Other Civic Organizations - Grundy County Family Fest - Joliet Rotary - Joliet Noon Lions Club Programs - Exchange Club of Joliet - Spikes Super Students - Will Buy Local - B.A.T.S. Anti-Bullying Campaign Committees / Events Other Organizations - City Center Partnership Marketing - Joliet Old Timers Baseball - USF Caritas - Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago - Race Fan Rally - The Miracle League of Joliet - Slammers Job Fair - Community Service Council y! Wednesda y & Tuesda ery Ev Spik es ’ Super S Reading Pr tuden *Voucher ts Valid f ogram www Spikes’ Suorper One S Ltudea nts .jolie Readingtslammer Progrwnam Ticke s.com - 815 t* *Voucher Valid for One Lawn Ticket* .722. 2287 www.jolietslammers.com - 815.722.2287 Spikes Super Students In The Community Continued The Slammers continue to build on old, and introduce new programs that contribute time and resources to bettering the lives of local residents. Our popular Spikes Super Students program has grown to over 80 participating schools and libraries with over 50,000 ticket vouchers earned over the last two years. Also continuing to rise in popularity is our free Kids Club with now over 1,000 members - the largest in team history. B.A.T.S. Bully Awareness & Teen Support. New for the spring of 2015 the Slammers along with partner Joliet Area Community Hospice will be rolling out a brand new Anti-Bullying campaign called BATS (Bullying Awareness & Teen Support). This program will start right in the heart of Joliet, focusing on area District 86 junior high schools before becoming wide spread and ultimately featured at Silver Cross Field on Anti Bully Awareness and Teaches Appreciation night on Tuesday, June 2. Charitable Giving & Support The Joliet Slammers have provided over $88,000 in charitable giving to the community in 2014. These contributions are driven by donations, fundraising, and creative promotions. $65,417 Fundraising Groups & Support Back by popular demand, the Slammers sold over 10,000 fundraising tickets, raising over $50,000 in ticket sales for area non-profit organizations. Another $7,000 was contributed to these groups through the Slammers 50/50 raffle on their respective nights. In addition, the Slammers contributed additional funds through a jersey auction and in-kind donations to those in need. $22,880 Ticket Donations 273 organizations/events received at minimum a donation of 4 Reserved Seat tickets and a discount in our team store. Another 25 organizations received a full Luxury Suite valued at $550 donated to their cause totaling $13,750 in total ticket contributions. A full list follows this page. $88,297 2014 Events Donated To Organization Name Event Name Kaneland John Shields Elementary Jump Rope for Heart Victory Baseball Bow ling Fundraiser Bear Dow n 4 Judy Bear Dow n 4 Judy Coal City Music Boosters Band and Chorus Concert Century 21 Affiliated Pro-Team Century 21 Affiliated Pro-Team Pumpkin Fest New Lenox Area Historical Society All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner Japan America Society of Chicago 27th Annual Holiday Fundraiser and Bonenkai Oak Forest Baseball Blue Demons Blue Demons 12U Cooperstow n Fundraiser Joliet Junior Woman's Club How l at the Moon Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation Silent Auction Benefit for Brady Jensen Benefit for Brady Jensen PAWWS 16th Annual Charity Christmas Luncheon and Raffle Plainfield East High School Wrestling PEHS Kick Off Night at the Nest Lincoln Way Yellow Jackets 13U Baseball LWYJ Bow ling Fundraiser ST. Michael the Archangel Catholic School St. Michael School Gala Victory Baseball Club of Joliet Cooperstow n Fundraiser Troy Baseball Candlelight Bow l Elmw ood Park Woman's Club Luncheon/Bingo Fundraiser Operation Up-link VFW Help a Hero New Lenox Rebels Baseball New Lenox Rebels 11U White and 12U Black Bingo Fundraiser Sunny Ridge Family Center Sunny Ridge Annual Fundraiser Troy Baseball 8U Travel Baseball Candlelight Bow l District 146 Band Parents, Inc Candlelight Bow l Fundraiser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5917 Annual Christmas Party Child Care Resource of Referral Wine and Chocolate Tasting Caterpillar Cab Assembly Operations CAO Fundraiser Night New Lenox Rebels 12U Black Bingo/Candlelight Bow l Public Interest Law Society 19th Annual Public Interest Law Society Auction Troy Band Boosters Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle Blue Wave Fast Pitch Blue Wave Fast Pitch Bingo Jane Addams Band Booster Association Annual Holiday Craft Show , Cookie Walk and Raffle Mother Theresa Catholic Academy Come Sail Aw ay Zion Lutheran Church and School Cub Scout Pack 83 The Friends of Cub Scout Pack 83 Bow ling Fundraiser Sojourn Therapeutic Riding Center Ltd Sojourn Candlelight Bow l Fundraiser William J. Butler School Another Fabulous Night in Vegas Franciscan Community Benefit Services First Look for Charity, Chicago Auto Show 2014 Plainfield Central Band Boosters Candlelight Bow l Minooka Baseball and Softball Organization 2014 Minooka Baseball 12U Cooperstow n Travel Team Fundraiser ABC Arena Booster Club at Aspire Gymnastics Academy Aspire Classic Bridges to a New Day Spring Brunch Crest Hill Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Luncheon Girl Scout Troop #5474 Quarter Auction Coal City Polar Coalers Polar Coaler Trivia Night Diamond - Coal City Tornado Relief Benefit Diamond - Coal City Tornado Relief Benefit 2014 Events Donated To Organization Name Event Name West Chicago Park District Turtle Splash Water Park Season Pass Holder Raffle Day DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association DCCPA Fundraiser/Golf Outing St.