Play It Forward Serving Red Sox Nation
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PLAY IT FORWARD SERVING RED SOX NATION 2016 ANNUAL COMMUNITY REPORT 2 _ The Jimmy Fund COMMUNITY REPORT 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT Red Sox Scholars Mission Statement Home Base Program The mission of the Red Sox Foundation is to make a difference in the lives of children, veterans, and families in need throughout New England and Lee County, Florida, Youth Baseball & Softball with a focus on health, education, social service and recreation, by using our visibility and harnessing the passion of our fans and partners to raise funds and awareness. The Dimock Center REDSOXFOUNDATION.ORG MA Little League 3 4 _ COMMUNITY REPORT 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT Principal Owner John Henry accompanied 39th Chief of Staff of the United States General Mark A Milley, Red Sox Alum Kevin Millar and Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner at Fenway Park on April 29, 2016. Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Chuck Burden. Since its founding in 2002, the Red Sox Foundation has aspired to be a model for charitable activity in Major League Baseball. We are carrying on a charitable tradition that began decades ago when Hall of Famer Ted Williams began visiting Jimmy Fund patients, often before arriving at the ballpark just up the street. That philanthropic legacy has continued through the generations; picked up by Yaz and Andrews, Lynn and Evans, Tek and Wake. We are proud of the work accomplished in 2016, and the many contributions of our players to continue the legacy of giving, especially as we bid farewell to a player whose presence in the community was as powerful as his home runs. More than 60 years after Ted Williams set the tone, David Ortiz honored and elevated that legacy as he concluded a career marked by outstanding contributions both on and off the field. Perhaps the greatest legacy left by Ortiz, is the example he set for the younger players. As we continue to “Play it Forward,” we are confident that our young stars will make our community proud and pick up the reins of those who came before them. In addition to the charitable work of our players and the causes they support, the Foundation’s mission has expanded significantly since its creation. Our original focus has grown to include education, youth baseball, and veteran services. With contributions of over $94 million to more than 1,500 non-profit organizations throughout New England and Lee County, Florida, the impact has been felt by thousands of families. On these pages, we look back at 2016 and highlight the work of the Red Sox and the Red Sox Foundation in the community. To all of those who have helped support our work and our mission, our sincerest thanks. Thomas Werner, Chairman Boston Red Sox REDSOXFOUNDATION.ORG 5 Dear Family and Friends of the Red Sox Foundation! In 2016, you took the pride and passion for our team and channeled it to make a difference in our community. Your commitment to take the Foundation’s mission to heart and make it your own is the essence of why we are able to do what we do – and why it is my sincere pleasure to serve as Honorary Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation. Together we made it a priority to give back to the community serving the children and families of New England and Lee County, Florida. Whether it was visiting patients undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber, helping students realize their dreams of going to college or supporting our brave men and women of the military facing challenges returning from war, it was a labor of love to give back to a community that has given so much to me. It is a privilege to work with people like you who make a difference in the lives of so many. And for that, I am deeply grateful and look forward to seeing what impact we’ll make in the year ahead. Thank you for all you do! Tim Wakefield, Honorary Chairman Red Sox Foundation 6 _ COMMUNITY REPORT 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT THE JIMMY FUND & THE RED SOX A Winning Lineup Since 1953 Launched in 1953, the partnership between The Jimmy Fund and the Boston Red Sox remains the longest standing, most David Ortiz shares a smile with a young renowned team-charity affiliation in all of professional sports. Jimmy Fund patient. The Jimmy Fund has become a global symbol for raising funds that support astounding and ongoing scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment. In 2016, Red Sox players Brock Holt and Pablo Sandoval continued the proud tradition of serving as the team’s Jimmy Fund Co-Captains. Their visits to the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brought joy and excitement to hundreds of patients and families. REDSOXFOUNDATION.ORG 7 Red Sox Players and Coaches raise their hands in support of the 15th Annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. Pan-Mass Challenge Founder Billy Starr and Red Sox President Sam Kennedy hold checks displaying total contributions from Jimmy Fund Co-Captain Brock Holt with Jimmy Fund the Red Sox Foundation and PMC to Dana-Farber. teens during their annual trip to Fenway Park. David Price jams out with a patient at the telethon. Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski joins WEEI and NESN during the telethon. 8 _ COMMUNITY REPORT 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT RED SOX SCHOLARS Winning Against All Odds Above: Red Sox Scholars in the eighth grade visit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Red Sox Scholars, presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, one Medical Center, is an award-winning program launched of several career exploration field trips the in 2003. Each year, the program selects a new class of Red Sox Foundation organizes as part of the program. Boston Public School seventh graders to receive mentoring, enrichment activities and college scholarships. To date, 262 students, who come from diverse backgrounds and have persevered in the face of many challenges, have been awarded scholarships of up to $10,000 upon enrollment in higher education. REDSOXFOUNDATION.ORG 9 The class of 2016 high school graduates celebrate during the annual Red Sox Scholars Ceremony at Fenway Park. Above: Red Sox Scholars in the Earl Woods Scholars program attend the Winter Workshop organized by the Tiger Woods Red Sox Scholars Program Ambassadors, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Foundation in California. Below: Red Sox Scholars visit the his wife, Erin, team up with Target for back-to-school supplies. Biogen Community Lab to gain exposure to the STEM field. The Boston Globe and the Tufts Veterinary School offer hands-on learning experiences to Scholars. 10 _ COMMUNITY REPORT 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT THE HOME BASE PROGRAM Serving Those Who Served Their Country The Home Base Program, a partnership of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, was created in 2009 under the leadership of Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. It’s dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for post-9/11 veterans, Service Members and their Families through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research. Home Base offers clinical and counseling services in individual or group settings to veterans Each year, the Red Sox Foundation and their spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, organizes the Run to Home Base, inviting significant others and other loved ones in their lives throughout supporters from all over the country to fundraise and run on behalf of the the deployment cycle. They recognize that when one family Home Base Program. Above: The event member serves, the entire family serves. generated $1.8 million in 2016 thanks to thousands of participants who crossed the In 2016, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presented the Home Base finish line at Fenway Park’s home plate on July 23. Program with the highest possible award for a civilian organization prior to a game at Fenway Park. Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said, “To have Home Base recognized with this distinctive award is a testament to the important work being carried out by the clinicians and physicians who tackle the challenges faced by our veterans returning from war and their families.” REDSOXFOUNDATION.ORG 11 The 2016 Run to Home Base Opening Ceremonies. From left: Matt LeBretton, Vice President of Public Affairs, New Balance; NESN Broadcaster Tom Caron; Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director, Home Base; U.S. Army Veteran Kurt Power and wife Jessica; U.S Congressman Joseph Kennedy III; Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker; Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner; Dr. Peter Slavin, President of Massachusetts General Hospital; City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh; and Red Sox President Sam Kennedy. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presents Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner with the Distinguished Public Service Award for the Home Base Program. 12 _ COMMUNITY REPORT 2016 COMMUNITY REPORT REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES Youth Baseball and Softball in Action Providing recreational opportunities for inner-city boys and girls – ages 9 to 18 – the Foundation’s Reviving Baseball in Inner-Cities (RBI) Program uses the sport to promote the importance of good decision-making. In addition to playing baseball and softball, the RBI program serves to develop good nutritional choices, leadership, respect for others, and nonviolent conflict resolution, help meet one’s potential, and maintain an overall commitment to the community. REDSOXFOUNDATION.ORG 13 In addition to its RBI program, the Red Sox Foundation supports numerous organized baseball activities for Boston youth: • The Boston Area Church League brings more than 600 Boston children to ball fields in the summer. They play Saturday doubleheaders with pastors as coaches, police as umpires, and assistant district attorneys as volunteers. • The Lindos Sueños program, which the Red Sox created with philanthropist Charlene Engelhard in 2004, brings American teens of various backgrounds to the Dominican Republic each summer to play with their teenage counterparts.