Hit a Home Run for Boston Youth!
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Hit a home run for Boston youth! Find us online and join the conversation using #ABCDFieldOfDreams WELCOME TO June 16, 2021 Dear Friends, Welcome to the 22nd Annual ABCD Field of Dreams! As we emerge from a pandemic that impacted the lives and livelihoods of millions nationwide and beyond—and prevented us from holding this iconic event last year—we are excited to be back at legendary Fenway Park again! We have the Boston Red Sox to thank for that. We’re grateful to owners John Henry and Tom Werner, as well as President Sam Kennedy for their incredible generosity in allowing us to take the field at this historic park to benefit Boston’s most underserved young people. Along with providing programs and services that help children, adults, and elders break free from poverty, achieve stability, and thrive, ABCD offers an extensive range of programs that support and empower young people. Proceeds from Field of Dreams directly support our youth who gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to overcome systemic barriers and help prepare them to reach their full potential. Of course, none of this would be possible without the compassionate and committed businesses who field teams to play on the legendary diamond for the good of others. While participating in Field of Dreams was always about “team-building,” this year brings it to a new level after contending with the COVID-19 pandemic whether on the frontlines or adapting to a new way of working. We thank Event Chair Lew Eisenberg, our friend and ally who has been with us since we started Field of Dreams, and John Sasso, who served as co-chair and ambassador for 20 of our 22 years! We can also never fully thank MORE Advertising Founder & CEO Donna Latson Gittens as well as Red Sox Senior VP of Community, Alumni and Player Relations Pam Kenn and her outstanding team including Sarah Narracci, and Julio Jeune. The ABCD family extends our deepest gratitude to NESN’s Tom Caron and Adam Pellerin; our friends at Aramark; Henry Katz, Adam Sperling, Rachel Gordon, Michael Sellstone, Chris Aduama, Alan Litchman, and Tom Keeves. And finally, we thank you for all that you do to improve the lives of those in the greatest need! John J. Drew Sharon Scott-Chandler, Esq. ABCD President/CEO ABCD Executive Vice President/COO Schedule of Events 7:00 AM COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST 7:15 AM NATIONAL ANTHEM 7:20 AM WELCOME REMARKS 7:30 AM THE BOSTON ALL-STARS (A) V MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM (H) 9:30 AM OFF-FIELD ACTIVITIES START - LODGE BOX 163 FREE PHOTO OF YOU ON A 5’’x7’’ BASEBALL CARD PHOTO BOOTH 11:00 AM FOOD STANDS OPEN 11:00 AM ROPES & GRAY (A) V SHIELDS HEALTH CARE GROUP (H) 1:00 PM CHECK PRESENTATION 1:35 PM NATIONAL ANTHEM 2:00 PM DMB FINANCIAL (A) V SLALOM (H) 3:00 PM FOOD STANDS CLOSE 3:30 PM PHOTO BOOTH CLOSES 4:00 PM ABCD FIELD OF DREAM ENDS Field of Dreams 2021 #ABCDFieldOfDreams Action for Boston Community Development ’s Mission ABCD is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides more than 100,000 low income residents in the Greater Boston area with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. We use a comprehensive approach that addresses the range of barriers faced by households in poverty, from a sudden crisis to long-term needs for jobs and education. ABCD was established in 1962 as part of a Ford Foundation demonstration project. Subsequently, ABCD was federally designated the antipoverty community action agency for Boston under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. In 2015, ABCD’s service area expanded to include Everett, Malden and Medford. The organization is governed by a board of directors comprised of public officials, representatives from the private sector and low income community members who are democratically selected by a local ABCD Advisory Board of their peers. Operating through neighborhood community service centers throughout Greater Boston, ABCD can rapidly respond to changing community needs. Adults, elders, children, and families participate in our innovative local projects, as well as in some of the organization’s long- standing support programs — housing and homelessness prevention services, fuel assistance, adult basic education and job training, early education and care, and more. Field of Dreams 2021 #ABCDFieldOfDreams Action for Boston Community Development Tribute to the Red Sox Throughout its history, the renowned Boston Red Sox ball club has continuously given back to the communities of Boston and involved itself in countless causes to improve the quality of life for all people. The relationship between ABCD and the Boston Red Sox started years ago and has consistently helped many families in need. ABCD is very grateful to Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner along with President/ CEO Sam Kennedy for continuing this tradition and welcoming the Field of Dreams fundraiser to Fenway Park each year. We also thank Pam Kenn, Dave Mellor, Julio Jeune, Sarah Narracci, Katelyn Donovan and all of the Red Sox Community Relations staff for their wonderful assistance at Field of Dreams. We are also grateful to Donna Latson Gittens for her enthusiastic assistance with Field of Dreams and other community initiatives. Field of Dreams is an outstanding example of what a corporate-community partnership can accomplish for the less fortunate in Boston. The Red Sox’s contributions to ABCD and the community have extended far beyond Field of Dreams. During the holiday season, the Boston Red Sox have hosted holiday parties at the historic Fenway Diamond Club for children in need from the Fenway and Mission Hill areas of Boston. Field of Dreams 2021 #ABCDFieldOfDreams Action for Boston Community Development Thank You The ABCD family extends our deepest gratitude to Henry Katz, Adam Sperling, Rachel Gordon, Michael Sellstone, Chris Aduama, Alan Litchman, and Tom Keeves. We also offer our utmost appreciation to a staunch supporter of Field of Dreams and many other ABCD programs and events – Lew Eisenberg – our Field of Dreams Chair! He has done a fabulous job. Thank you Aramark for your support over the past 20 plus years! Each year you come through for us with ballpark food, coffee and tea for all our teams and their guests. Field of Dreams just wouldn’t be the same without you! Our endless gratitude to ABCD Government & Industrial Relations Director Bob Elias for daring to dream to create Field of Dreams, and to ABCD’s Liz McCarthy for helping to make that dream a reality! A big cheer, too, to ABCD’s Public Information department for its extensive design and marketing support. Thank you to all of the teams, sponsors, volunteers, and guests who are here today. Your support helps dreams come true – not only for the players today at Fenway – but also through the programs and opportunities ABCD offers families living in poverty that help them change their lives for the better. Field of Dreams 2021 #ABCDFieldOfDreams Action for Boston Community Development Special Thanks TEAM SPONSORS IN-KIND SPONSORS Aramark • Eagle Photography • Finagle-A-Bagel Hotel Commonwealth • MASCO • Watermark Donut Company TALENT Adam Pellerin @AdamPellerin Adam Pellerin serves in a variety of roles for NESN. He is a fill-in host for NESN’s Red Sox pre- and post-game shows. He hosts NESN’s Hockey East and Beanpot studio shows as well. Adam is also an anchor for NESN’s sports news programs. The Norton, Massachu- setts native joined NESN in 2012 after serving as general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor at WFXT Boston 25 for five years. His television reporting career began in Port- land, ME at CBS affiliate WGME. Adam attended Suffolk University in Boston and was a catcher for the baseball team. Tom Caron @TomCaron Tom Caron is a sportscaster and anchor on NESN, where he brings his expertise and enthusiasm to the Boston Red Sox pre- and post-game shows. Tom also co-hosts the TC & Jerry Podcast with Jerry Remy. His sports journalism career began at a small paper in Vermont where he covered Cincinnati’s AA affiliate the Vermont Reds. He quickly moved on to posts in upstate New York, New Hampshire and Maine before land- ing at NESN in 1995. Tom has hosted Boston Bruins broadcasts and served as a Red Sox field reporter. He’s a proud graduate of St. Michael’s College. Field of Dreams 2021 #ABCDFieldOfDreams Action for Boston Community Development ABCD Summerworks SummerWorks is a seven week program that provides paid full-time employment and a broad range of job readiness skills to underserved Boston youth ages 14-21. Participants enjoy the following experiences: • Spending 120 hours serving as an employee to local organizations • Receiving 20 hours of mentorship and individualized career readiness education • Learning resume writing, financial literacy, conflict resolution, workplace etiquette and more ABCD SummerWorks is more than a summer job. It helps young people to see and pursue their dreams. To donate to ABCD Summerworks, visit bostonabcd.org/donate. To learn more or apply to ABCD Summerworks, visit bostonabcd.org/summerworks. Field of Dreams 2021 #ABCDFieldOfDreams Action for Boston Community Development.