View from the Hill the Fergie Jenkins Foundation Newsletter
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Volume 5, No. 1 April 2013 View from the Hill The Fergie Jenkins Foundation Newsletter Fergie and the Cubs leave Hohokam on a high note After 17 great years at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ, remarkable to see how many people travel from all the Chicago Cubs wrapped up their final Spring Training corners of the continent, making the trip to Arizona to season at the ballpark. catch a glimpse of the team’s And who could possibly be a current and former stars during better ambassador to help the Spring Training. And whether team close out its final slate of or not fans are receiving their games at Hohokam than Fergie first or their twenty-first Fergie Jenkins? Jenkins autograph, the outcome remains the same: the creation Once again, the Fergie Jenkins of a lasting memory, a great Foundation maintained a story and the knowledge that constant presence at every Cubs they have helped make a Spring Training home game difference in the lives of others, in 2013, raising money for a Fergie signs for a young Cubs fan at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ. through the Fergie Jenkins number of charities, including Cubs Care, JDRF, St. Mary’s Food Bank and Habitat for Foundation’s charitable Humanity. The Foundation’s autograph booth, back in its endeavors. Inside This Issue familiar location down the third-base line, welcomed the With 2013 in the books, likes of former Cubs Bill Buckner, Jody Davis, Lee Smith, February Golf ...3 Willie Wilson and Pete LaCock. Day after day, thousands the Cubs will now be turning of Cubs fans flocked to the Foundation’s booth to meet their attention to 2014 and S[pring Training ...3 the opening of their brand with their heroes for the last time at the team’s storied MLB Fan Fests ...5 ballpark. new $100-million 15,000 facility, which will also be Christmas Signing ...5 To Cubs faithful, these former players, along with in Mesa. The yet-to-be- Museum Updates ... 9 Fergie, have become staples at the stadium for the named stadium will feature past several years, signing autographs, taking pictures numerous adjacent practice Black History Event ...9 and sharing stories from their playing days. It is always fields and a developing “Serving Humanitarian Need Through the Love of Sport” The Fergie Jenkins Foundation Swinging for the Fences Who We Are PROFILING THE CHARITIES Fergie Jenkins .................... Chairman Carl Kovacs .................... President WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT John Oddi ........ Executive Director Board of Directors Jaff Stevenson Paul Cartwright Reid Strongman Kelly McGiffin Barry House David Schurman Rick Quirk Denise Stone Peter Warkentin Dave Hamilton Elite Volunteers The Peoria Diamond Club is a non-profit organization, Stacy Arrowsmith Bill Loftus based in Peoria, AZ, whose focus is to redistribute revenues Dennis Coulson Sid Stern and donations to local youth groups and childrens’ Ben Craig Steve Swan programs. Run almost exclusively by volunteers, the Peoria Diamond Foundation Staff Club maintains an active prensence at all San Diego Padres Mike Treadgold and Seattle Mariners Spring Training games, leading Communications Coordinator gameday operations and other stadium activities. Editor-in-Chief The Fergie Jenkins Foundation is proud to continue to support the Peoria Diamond Club through our Cactus Rachel Pray League autograph fundraisers. Executive Assistant Brett Varey Special Events Coordinator Dexter McQueen Sport Management Coordinator Kerrigan McNeill Public Relations Coordinator The Fergie Jenkins Foundation has enjoyed a multi-year (Assitant Editor) partnership with the Oakland A’s Community Fund, a relationship forged as a result of the Foundation’s Cactus Jillian Buttenham League fundraising at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, the Curator & Manager of Public Outreach Spring Training home of the Oakland Athletics. Jessica Chase The A’s Community Fund supports charities in the Bay Curator & Manager of Education Area, specifically those affiliated with youth programs, Interns drug prevention and the underprivileged. With a mandate that focuses intently on investing in the future, the A’s Tyler Harrison Zack Schipper Community Fund shares many of the same values as the Sport Management Sport Management Fergie Jenkins Foundation. Noah Anderson Geoff Bassett Sport Management Public Relations For more information Nick Butts Bryan Robinson Sport Management Sport Management Mail to: 67 Commerce Place - Suite 3, St.Catharines, ON, Canada L2R 6P7 905-688-9418 • [email protected] 2 The Fergie Jenkins Celebrity Classic With a New Date and New Feel This past November the Foundation was forced we help raise funds for. to cancel the Fergie Jenkins Celebrity Golf Classic held Fergie was feel- in Phoneix, AZ due to scheduling conflicts. For many ing the effects of his of our American supporters it meant not having the career and was unable opportunity to take part in one of our most successful to make it out on the events of the year. But with every closed door comes course but did help two another opportunity. With the November tournament of our staff, Brett Varey put on hold the Foundation was able to schedule a and Kerrigan McNeill, similar tournament in February the following year. man the putting con- The tournament in February coincided per- test. Fergie gave tips Celebrity Guests Rollie Fingers, Pete Lacock fectly with Cactus League Spring Training allowing and advice to golfers as and Willie Wilson take pictures with our many of our celebrity guests to attend since many of they tried to putt their them would already be in the Phoenix area. This year’s way to a prize at the end of the tournament. Rollie tournament took place at its old home, the Wigwam Fingers also sat out choosing to instead travel across Resort & Golf Club in Litchfield Park, AZ with a Celeb- the course taking photos with each group of golfers. rity Meet and Greet taking place at the Foundation’s The event proved to be a success and the home during the Spring, the Phoenix Airport Hamp- timing could not be any better. Moving ahead the ton Inn. Foundation will permanently move the Fergie Jenkins Celebrities such as Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry, Celebrity Golf Classic held In Phoenix from November Pee Wee Harrison, Pierre Pilote, Ron Wicks, Al Oliver, to February. Willie Wilson and many more came out to the event to once again support the Foundation and the charities A Spring Spent in Phoenix, Arizona Five baseball parks. Forty-two days and well month in Phoenix there were a few celebrity guests over fifty baseball games. That sums up how The Fer- who paid a visit over the course of Spring Train- gie Jenkins Foundation spent their spring, 2013. ing. Fergie and the Foundation were joined by such For nearly two months the staff of the Foundation and baseball greats as Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry, Bert a group of celebs made their home at the Phoenix Campaneris, Willie Wilson, Jody Davis, Jon Warden, Bill Airport Hampton Inn for most Buckner, Gaylord Perry, Jim “Mudcat” of February and all of March. Grant, Blue Moon Odom, Vida Blue, Once again the Foundation was Lee Smith, Pete LaCock and more. dedicated to raising funds for Fans gathered at the Founda- various charities in the Phoenix tion booth at each ballpark in hopes area during Spring Training. of meeting some of their favourite Once again the Founda- baseball legends. Our celebrity tion set up shop at the spring guests were pleased to interact with training home fields of the their fans, sharing stories from their Oakland Athletics (Phoenix), the careers and signing items for fans all Chicago Cubs (Mesa), the San in support of charity. Francisco Giants (Scottsdale) the The Foundation once again had San Diego Padres and Seattle a very successful spring raising a sig- Mariners (Peoria), and the Texas Rangers and Kansas nificant amount for each of the charities we support City Royals (Surprise). Proceeds from the event once during spring training. We would like to thank all of again went to numerous charities represented by our celebrity guests, the Phoenix Airport Hampton Inn each team and stadium. and everyone who made it such a successful month. While Fergie and The Foundation spent all 3 FOUNDATION ROAD MAP WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHERE WE’RE GOING December 2012 April 2013 December 15-18 • Fergie Jenkins Foundation April 8-11 • Chicago Cubs Opening Week Festivities Charity Autograph Signings feat. Pierre Pilote • • Wrigley Field • Chicago, IL Sports ‘N’ More at Yorktown Center Mall • Lombard, April 19 • North Bay Sports Hall of Fame Banquet • IL North Bay, ON December 19 • Fergie Jenkins Foundation Charity Autograph Signing feat. Pierre Pilote • Peru Mall • Peru, IL May 2013 May 3-5 • Sportcard & Memorabilia Expo feat. Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Goose Gossage & Andre January 2013 Dawson • International Centre • Mississauga, ON January 11-13 • Texas Rangers Fan Fe stival • May 4-5 • Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Banquet & Arlington Convention Centre • Arlington, TX First Pitch • Marriott by Toronto Airport & Christie January 12 • Professional Baseball Scouts Pits • Toronto, ON Foundation Event • Los Angeles, CA May 8 • A night with Fergie Jenkins in support of January 18-20 • Chicago Cubs Convention • Cystic Fibrosis Canada • THE-MUSEUM • Kitchener, Sheraton Chicago • Chicago, IL ON January 19 • Warren Spahn Awards Banquet • Oklahoma City, OK June 2013 January 25-27 • Minnesota TwinsFest • H.H. June 3 • Jon Warden’s Charity Golf Classic • The Metrodome • Minneapolis, MN Oasis Golf & Country Club • Loveland, OH January 28-February 2 • Randy Hundley Fantasy June 10 • Tony Fernandez Charity Golf Classic • Camp • Mesa, AZ Wooden Sticks Golf & CC • Uxbridge, ON June 11-12 • Scatcherd Charity Golf Classic • February 2013 Oakwood Inn Resort & Spa • Grand Bend, ON February 7 • York Area Sports Night • Heritage Hills June 14 • 20th Annual Fergie Jenkins Charity Classic Golf Resort & Conference Center • York, PA • Rockway Vineyards • St.