Ian Snell - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
April 26, 2008
• Photo gallery

Pirates starting pitcher Ian Snell is continuing his partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh for the 2008 season.

Once per month Ian will host two "Littles" along with their "Bigs" at PNC Park for a private meet & greet with him, an exclusive tour, a chance to run out on the field and play catch with the pitcher.

The kids then are invited to watch Pirates batting practice from the dugout and get to enjoy the ballgame from excellent seats later that evening. The kids will also receive the special shirts, letting them and everyone who sees them know that Ian is their "Honorary Big Brother"!

 
Nyjer Morgan - Pirates Charities Community Baseball Center
April 26, 2008
• Photo gallery

On Saturday, April 26, Pirates outfielder Nyjer Morgan paid a visit to the Pirates Charities Community Baseball Center in Shadyside to meet with several children from the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program.

During the visit, Morgan answered questions about playing the game of baseball and what it took for him to make it to the Major Leagues. Following the question and answer session, Morgan watched the kids take some swings in the batting cages and answered any additional questions they might have had.

At the end of the day, he took a group photo with all the kids before giving them each a Pirates cap and a ticket to a future Pirates game.

 
Nate's Lucky 13
April 25, 2008
• Photo gallery

Nate McLouth decided this off-season that he wanted to host a season-long community initiative for kids. The idea of 'Nate's Lucky 13' was developed by the Pirates outfielder who wears uniform number 13 on the field.

This initiative will give a group of 13 local children the opportunity to participate in a private meet and greet with Nate, take a behind the scenes tour of PNC Park and have a chance to watch Pirates batting practice. Each child will also receive a "Nate's Lucky 13" t-shirt, tickets to the game and a $20 ARAMARK coupon, compliments of Nate. As part of the program, he will host a different group of children during each homestand throughout the Pirates 2008 season (13 total).

The program kicked off on Friday, April 25th before the game. Nate hosted children and chaperones from the Pittsburgh-based Imani Christian Academy, whose mission is to embrace all children, particularly at-risk youth and work to transform them into lives of purpose and contribution.

 
Light of Life "Tailgate Dinner"
April 8, 2008
• Photo gallery

The Pittsburgh Pirates served more than 375 meals at a baseball-themed "Tailgate Dinner" at the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Tuesday, April 8 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Pirates President Frank Coonelly and Pirates alumnus Kent Tekulve joined the Pirate Parrot, Pirates front office personnel and Light of Life volunteers in serving a dinner that included hot dogs, nachos, chips, crackerjacks, apples and lemonade.

 
2008 Annual Pirates Kick-Off Luncheon
April 9, 2008
Presented by Pittsburgh Pirates and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development
• Photo gallery

On Wednesday, April 9th all Pirates players, coaches and announcers joined over 400 people at the Westin Hotel and Convention Center to celebrate the start of the 2008 baseball season in Pittsburgh.

Fans were greeted by all the Pirates Mascots and had the opportunity to get autographs from Pirates Alumnus Kent Tekulve! There was also a raffle benefiting Pirates Charities and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Guests also got to hear exclusive insight into the 2008 Pirates team from Pirates President Frank Coonelly, Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington and Pirates Manager John Russell. Lanny Frattare was the emcee for the event.


Central Blood Bank's Annual Buc's Blood Drive
June 18 and Aug. 21, 2008 at PNC Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates have once again teamed up with the Central Blood Bank for the annual Buc's Blood Drive during the 2008 season. Two blood drives will be hosted on June 18 and Aug. 21 at PNC Park's press conference/multipurpose room.

The Central Blood Bank needs to see 725 donors every 24 hours in order to meet the demand for blood patients in over 40 local area hospitals. In 2007, the two drives held at PNC Park resulted in 203 units collected, touching over 600 lives!

For more information on donating blood, please call Gail at the Central Blood Bank at 412-209- 7240.


Scouting for Food
The Boy Scouts, along with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, held their annual canned food drive on Federal Street before the Pirates Home Opener on Monday, April 7th. The event was a huge success and resulted in $433.17 in monetary donations and over 500 pounds of food! Thank you to all the fans for their donations!

Piratefest
Jan. 25-27, 2008
• Photo galleries: I | II
• Bucs brass fields queries at Piratefest
• Piratefest Q&A provides fun for all
• Bucs wrap up 2008 Piratefest


Each year in January, the Pirates host the annual Piratefest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. PirateFest is a giant indoor baseball carnival for the entire family, featuring live events, free autograph sessions, prizes, games, youth baseball clinics, the Pirate Parrot and much more.

"PirateFest is an exciting time for both the organization and our fans because it is the official kickoff for the upcoming season," said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. "It gives us another opportunity for our players and our entire organization to personally thank our fans for their continued dedication before we head to Spring Training."

 
Light of Life Rescue Mission
Dec. 10, 2007
• Photo gallery

Pirates President Frank Coonelly, Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington and Pirates alumni Steve Blass and Kent Tekulve helped lead off a holiday food campaign at the Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh's North Side on Monday, Dec. 10.

The Pirates partnered with Del Monte to serve a hot breakfast to the homeless every morning throughout the week of Dec. 10 to Dec. 14. Volunteers from the Pirates, Del Monte and the Light of Life Rescue Mission teamed up to cook, plate and serve the meals. Over 80 people were served scrambled eggs, sausage, toast and orange juice each morning throughout the week.

 
Make-A-Wish Foundation holiday party
Dec. 8, 2007
• Photo gallery

The Pittsburgh Pirates hosted their 2007 version of the Make-A-Wish Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 8, inside the Pirates clubhouse at PNC Park. Twenty-five Make-A-Wish children and their families were invited to the party where each child received their own personalized locker complete with a Pirates jersey and backpack filled with goodies.

Pirates Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting and Pirates pitchers Tom Gorzelanny and Zach Duke were also on hand to greet and sign autographs for the children.

After being treated to lunch in the clubhouse, the children had the chance to take some swings in the indoor batting cage against Tom and Zach. They also were able to decorate their own cookies, make holiday stockings, get caricatures drawn and take part in a face painting station.


Anti-Defamation League's Teen Leadership Council
Oct. 16, 2007

The Pirates hosted the Anti-Defamation League's Teen Leadership Council's 2007-2008 kick-off meeting at PNC Park on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. Approximately 150 students from 12 Pittsburgh area public, private and parochial schools were in attendance to engage in societal dialogue and participate in activities. Members focus on developing leadership skills and educating their peers on diversity issues.

The council, which includes students from Baldwin-Whitehall, Mt. Lebanon, North Allegheny, North Hills, Penn Hills, Shaler, Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh Public Schools and several charter and technical schools, meet about once a month at schools across the area.


Freddy Sanchez Players 4 Kidz Gala
Sept. 27, 2007

The Freddy Sanchez Players 4 Kidz Dinner and Auction benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation was a huge success. On Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Heinz History Center, Freddy and Alissa Sanchez, Players 4 Kidz and the Pittsburgh Pirates partnered together to raise over $65,000.

In addition to Freddy Sanchez honoring his long-time friend and teammate Jack Wilson for his service to youth in the Pittsburgh community, the evening included live entertainment, dinner, live and silent auctions and a special Nintendo Wii Competition for children of attending guests.

Wilson and his parents, Zach Duke and wife Kristin, as well as student athletes from the University of Pittsburgh were among the 250 guests in attendance. Jake Frank, a nine-year-old double amputee, represented the Challenged Athletes Foundation. It was a magical evening for all who attended!


Buses for Baseball
• Photo gallery

Buses for Baseball gives underprivileged kids throughout the United States and Canada the chance to attend a Major League game and meet the players.

The Players Trust partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a big league game with kids who need more chances to smile.

At each ballpark, the kids are welcomed by players who spend time signing autographs, giving away souvenirs and posing for photographs. Complimentary food and soft drinks during the game -- and often the chance to see their own faces on the scoreboard -- provide lasting memories before the bus heads home.

To date, Buses for Baseball has provided an unforgettable trip to a Major League game for over 7,000 disadvantaged youth from more than 167 different organizations.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were proud to welcome the 21st Century Community Learning Center to PNC Park on July 6, 2007 for the Buses for Baseball program. The children were escorted into the ballpark to watch the Pirates take batting practice before anyone else was allowed in the park! Pirates' player Xavier Nady greeted the children and introduced them to all his Major League friends. After batting practice was over, two lucky children from the group got to throw out and catch an honorary pitch during the pre-game ceremonies!


Roberto Clemente Award

Since 1973, Major League Baseball has honored the memory of Hall of Famer and humanitarian Roberto Clemente by annually awarding the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Chevrolet. This award recognizes the players who best exemplify the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community service and positive contributions to their teams.

Major League Baseball is honoring the memory of Roberto Clemente with a presentation to each club's local nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Each Club recipient receives an award commemorating his achievement as well as a $7,500 donation to the charity of his choice from Chevrolet.

For the third consecutive season, the Pittsburgh Pirates nominated Jack Wilson.

In his sixth full season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jack Wilson and his wife, Julie, have made themselves active members in the community in which they now call home.

In May, Jack and Julie hosted their third annual "Bowling with the Bucs" charity tournament. The event gathered 20 Pirates celebrities, along with over 200 fans, in a fun evening of bowling, a buffet dinner and raffle/auction. This year's event raised $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia, bringing their total monies raised to $57,000.

Jack contributes to the community in many other ways in addition to what he does for Make-A-Wish. He participates in a variety of Pirates community initiatives including the bi-annual "Gloves for Kids" event and Kids Autograph Days at PNC Park. He is very supportive of the charitable activities of the Pirates Wives Organization and continues to be a role-model for children in the Pittsburgh region.

In addition, Jack participated this year in the Juvenile Diabetes PLAY Campaign, and as a result of being nominated for the Clemente Award, Jack will once again donate the cash portion of this award to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.


Snell hosts Big Brothers/Big Sisters
July 21 & Sept. 10, 2007 • PNC Park
• July 21 photo gallery | Sept. 10 photo gallery

Pirates starting pitcher Ian Snell invited one child from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization to a VIP tour of PNC Park on Monday, Sept. 10. Snell took him to the batting cages, the Pirates dugout and let him run the bases before watching batting practice and meeting and receiving autographs from other Pirates players. To top off their once in a lifetime experience, Snell provided him with a ticket to the game where he cheered the Buccos on to victory!

 
Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth (PLAY)
July 17, 2007 • PNC Park


The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society® (PBATS) hosted a national fitness program called PLAY at PNC Park on July 17 with local children from the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) School Walk fundraising program. Pittsburgh players Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay and Jack Wilson, Pirates' Head Athletic Trainer Brad Henderson, medical experts from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the ADA conducted a series of agility training, injury prevention, bone and muscle health discussions, proper nutrition talks and baseball exercises to teach the children about the benefits of living healthy lifestyles.



Created in 2004, Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth (PLAY) was developed by PBATS using the celebrity appeal of Major League Baseball and expertise of professional athletic trainers to gain awareness for a growing movement in the public health community, and to educate children about the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet. Along with the AAOS and ADA, the campaign is visiting a total of 15 major league ballparks in 2007. Children ages 10 to 13 who were the top fundraisers in their city for the ADA's annual "School Walk for Diabetes" campaign attended the clinics in the participating cities.


 
Pirates 65 Roses Club, to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
June 13, July 17 & Aug. 29, 2007
• Photo galleries: June 13 | July 17 |  Aug. 29

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Verizon Wireless, along with Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown and Steve Blass, hosted three 65 Roses Club nights at PNC Park to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The games were June 13, July 17, and Aug. 29, 2007. Pirates players Paul Maholm, Matt Capps, Nate McLouth and John Grabow visited this year's 65 Roses Club.

The 65 Roses Club is a group of Pirates fans who have joined together to raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis by donating for every home run the Pirates hit. By making a pledge to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for every home run the Pirates hit, you will have the opportunity to meet Pirates players at private pre-game receptions. After the receptions, everyone will get together to watch the game and cheer on the Bucs!

The club gets its name, "65 Roses Club," from the way a child often learns to say "cystic fibrosis," which sounds like "sixty-five roses." The 65 Roses Club is a national sports program supported by teams in all areas of athletics, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer, to help raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis.

Join the club and help the Pirates, Verizon Wireless and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hit a home run for the cure! To become a member of the "Pirates 65 Roses Club", please contact Paul Stabile of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 412-321-4422.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting 30,000 children and adults in the United States.


Pirates/Epilepsy Foundation Family Fun Run
June 16, 2007 • PNC Park
• Photo gallery

The Epilepsy Fun Run, which was held at PNC Park on Saturday, June 16, was a tremendous success as it raised over $100,000! More than 1,200 participants gathered in support of this great cause and additional donations are still being collected.

Co-chairs for this event were Pirates starting pitcher, Tom Gorzelanny, Jim Krenn from the WDVE morning show and Andrew Stockey, news anchor for Channel 4.


Pirates Tales
• Photo galleries: May 30, 2007 | June 10, 2007 | Sept. 9, 2007

The Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off their summer reading program, Pirates Tales, at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Summer Reading Seventh Annual Extravaganza on June 10, 2007. More than 6,000 people were in attendance to help make the event a success. Families attending the library's Extravaganza were able to experience a variety of activities, including answering trivia questions at the Pirates Tales booth and playing video games on a big screen television in the back of the Pittsburgh Pirates mobile video game vehicle. In addition to the activities, children and parents had the opportunity to receive information about the Pirates' reading program at the Pirates Tales booth.

Most recently, students read their way to PNC Park through the Pirates summer reading program. On Sunday, September 9th, the Pirates saluted the winners of the Pirates Tales summer reading program. The Pittsburgh Pirates teamed up with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to help encourage kids to strengthen their reading skills, continue their learning curve, and have fun while doing it.

Pirates Tales program empowers kids, ages 6-12 years old, to set reading goals throughout the summer. Top winners selected by Carnegie Library librarians who achieved their 2007 summer home run reading goals were entered into a contest to attend a one-time story hour with the Pirates celebrity pitcher, Matt Capps, and the Pirates mascot, the Parrot, before the game on the 9th. In addition, each winner received a personal Pirates goodie bag filled with books donated by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh, prizes, Pirates game tickets and more. The Pittsburgh Pirates applaud the winners of the 2007 Pirates Tales program for stepping up to the plate and taking a bat at summer reading.

Pirates Tales, a community outreach program designed to promote literacy skills, is a great way for kids to strengthen their reading skills and have fun at the same time. The Pirates Tales program empowers kids, ages 6-12 years old, to set reading goals throughout the summer.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a book, step up to the plate, and read for a home run!


Gloves for Kids
April 26, 2007 • Dick's Sporting Goods
• Photo gallery

Thanks to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Dick's Sporting Goods at the Mall at Robinson, "Gloves for Kids" was deemed a huge success as 17 Pirates players and coaches signed autographs and took photos with fans from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. inside the store on Thursday, April 26.

More than 500 fans made their way to Dick's for the event, with all proceeds benefiting Pirates Charities, Wilkinsburg Little League and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In addition to obtaining autographs and taking photos for a monetary donation, fans had the opportunity to meet Pirates players and bid on Major League Baseball memorabilia in a three-hour silent auction. Items such as autographed jerseys from Albert Pujols, Daisuke Matsuzaka and local favorite Jack Wilson were dealt to the highest bidder.

With the help of the Pirates players and coaches, Dick's Sporting Goods and the fans, children from Wilkinsburg Little League will be outfitted with brand new baseball equipment for their 2007 season.


BLUE for Kids

The Pittsburgh Pirates support BLUE for Kids -- a non-profit organization founded by Major League Baseball umpires to benefit seriously ill children and at-risk youth. Through the BLUE for Kids ticket program, umpires donate game tickets for children of The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation. The Pirates will facilitate a total of five on-field meet-and-greets in 2007 where umpires share words of encouragement and provide an official game ball for kids.

More information is available at www.BLUEforKids.com.


Tickets for Kids

Tickets for Kids® Charities launched its "I'm One in a Million" campaign in September of 2007. The campaign is a yearlong celebration to commemorate the milestone of having reached ONE MILLION deserving children from the area's often-forgotten neighborhoods by including them in thousands of events and activities since 1994 - with an estimated ticket value of more than $16 million. Outings range from baseball games and other sporting events, to theater and museums, the circus, the zoo and many other family-friendly events --- opportunities these children would otherwise never have.

Tickets for Kids held their first celebration with one of its long-time partners, the Pittsburgh Pirates, at the game on Sunday, Sept. 9. The special "Tickets for Kids" day included, among other things, the opportunity for Tickets for Kids' kid Adam Howard, 12, from Pittsburgh's North Side, to throw out an honorary first pitch to the Pirate Parrot from the pitcher's mound during pre-game ceremonies.

"I'm really excited to be one of a million kids, and to throw out the first pitch," said Adam.

He will also have the honor of representing the 50,000 children who have attended Pirates games through Tickets for Kids at PNC Park since it opened in 2001 thanks to the generosity of the Pirates and their season ticket holders.

"We're delighted to be part of this special celebration and to have helped Tickets for Kids reach these momentous goals - 50,000 Pirates tickets and one million tickets overall," said Patty Paytas, vice president of community and public affairs for the Pirates. "Our season ticket holders really deserve much of the credit for their generosity through the Take Me Out to the Ballgame program, which supports Tickets for Kids' efforts."

Take Me Out to the Ballgame allows season ticket holders to donate tickets to Tickets for Kids, which in turn, allows deserving children to attend a game, while the donor receives a tax deduction from Tickets for Kids for the value of the donation.

Many Pirates season ticket holders donate annually, including individuals like Brian Claypool, now a successful attorney in California, who grew up near Latrobe, Pa. His deep admiration for Roberto Clemente as a child led to a life-long love affair with the Pirates, which he wanted to share with others, once he could afford to. And so, for the past six years, Brian has purchased three full-season ticket packages for Tickets for Kids to share with area children, so they can see a Pirates game in person -- something Brian only occasionally had the chance to do while growing up.

"Many people helped me along the way as I was growing up and getting started," said Claypool. "They gave me hope for the future; and so it's my hope that sharing my love of Pirates baseball will give other young people that same hope that the future can be bright and that dreams do come true."

Tickets for Kids started in 1994 with one couple's desire to help fill empty seats at the area's ballgames, ballet and theater performances, museums, the zoo and other family friendly events -- and their belief that every family should have the opportunity to spend quality time together -- regardless of their ability to pay. Tickets for Kids Charities, a Pittsburgh-based, non-profit organization, creates magical moments and lifetime memories for children and their families. Serving as the community outreach partner for many family and entertainment venues, Tickets for Kids includes deserving children in cultural, educational and entertainment events they would otherwise not have the chance to experience. Tickets for Kids relies on the generous support of individuals, companies and foundations for tickets and contributions to make these opportunities possible. For more information or to make a contribution, call 412-781-KIDS (5437) or visit www.ticketsforkids.org.


Prostate Cancer Foundation

Jack Wilson, the Pittsburgh Pirates and 29 other Major League organizations have teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, to help "Keep Dad in the Game." The 2007 Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge will ensure that the long balls hit during the Father's Day Game will take on greater meaning.

Each time a major league player goes deep during 60 selected games throughout Father's Day week, pledges will be made and money will be raised for prostate cancer research, a disease that one in every six men will be diagnosed with during his lifetime. In 2006, nearly $ 2.5 million was raised nationwide, insuring that local research institutions receive much needed research dollars.

Players, coaches and managers wore blue wristbands as symbols of prostate cancer awareness.


Race for the Cure

For more than 16 years, the greater Pittsburgh community has come together by the thousands to take one step, and then another, and another, moving forward on the journey to find a cure for breast cancer.

The Pirates are a proud be a sponsor of the annual Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure held each Mother's Day in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Join us as we look with hope to a day without breast cancer.