The New York Yankees donated $750,000 to support relief efforts in the Hurricane ravaged northeastern region of the United States. Of the total, funds were allocated to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, New York City Food Bank, Staten Island, Queens/Far Rockaway, and local Little Leagues.
In addition, immediately following the storm, the New York Yankees worked in conjunction with our neighbors and community/corporate partners to support, develop and implement the following outreach efforts focused on dedicating resources to aid individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy:
The New York Yankees, Legends Hospitality, Stop & Shop and Nourishing NYC partner to implement/host healthy lifestyle initiatives at Yankee Stadium. The Healthy Home Plate Program provides area youth, ages 12-15, the opportunity to participate in a Program focused on the importance of preparing affordable healthy meals and incorporating these meals into their lifestyle. Legends Hospitality opens the doors of various kitchen outlets, where Sous Chefs engage the youth in attendance with hands on cooking demonstrations. During the interactive lesson, nutritionists from Nourishing NYC educate students about the nutritional value of the ingredients in the recipes prepared. Stop & Shop supplies the ingredients for the meals prepared in class, and environmentally-friendly shopping bags with healthy eating magazines, coupons and the provisions required from the cooking demonstration for students to make the recipes at home. In recognition of the students' participation/completion of the Program, their efforts are showcased during a pre-game ceremony at Yankee Stadium. In addition, each participant receives a personalized chefs jacket, certificate, cookbook of healthy recipes, Stop & Shop gift card and tickets to attend a game.
The objective of the Program is to provide participants with the skill set/knowledge to prepare affordable, healthy meals and engage their families, friends and members of the surrounding communities in a manner that promotes healthy lifestyles. Testimonials from individuals who participated in the Program indicate that as a result of the related efforts, nutritional concepts are proudly being applied on a consistent basis in homes throughout the Bronx.
The New York Yankees and the New York Blood Center established a partnership to address the issue of the declining blood donor population. As a result, the New York Yankees High School Blood Donor Championship was established. High schools based in the metropolitan area are provided with incentives (tickets, promotional items, etc.) to motivate staff and students 16 years or older to donate blood at their school blood drives. The total number of donations collected at each school competing in the Blood Donor Championship is tallied at the conclusion of the academic year, and the top schools are invited to attend a game at Yankee Stadium and be honored in a pre-game ceremony on-field. Since the Program's inception in 1996, over 700,000 donations have been made, providing patients in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut-based hospitals with in excess of 2.1 million life-saving blood products.
In response to the drastic drop in blood donations associated with Hurricane Irene, the New York Yankees and the New York Blood Center teamed-up to administer numerous blood drives throughout the tri-state area and implement an incentive program to enhance donations. The Yankees donated 4,200 tickets to various 2013 regular season home games to support the effort. In recognition of each donors' espouse/commitment, they were provided with 2 tickets to attend a game at Yankee Stadium. Exceeding the New York Blood Centers' goal by 577 donors, the united effort inspired approximately 2,200 individuals to donate blood.
The New York Yankees and the New York Public Library (NYPL) partnered to recognize the two students from each borough that read the most books last summer as part of the NYPL's 2012 Summer Reading Program. The initiative encourages students to utilize and exercise the reading skills they acquired during the previous academic year. On Wednesday, August 29, the ten students who read the most books were recognized on-field during a pre-game ceremony, and had the opportunity to meet with Curtis Granderson and discuss the importance of reading. In addition, the Yankees provided 350 tickets to the NYPL so students who participated in the Reading Program could attend the game at Yankee Stadium.
On an annual basis, the New York Yankees work in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant the wishes of approximately 30 children who have been diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions.
In recognition of our efforts dedicated to supporting their mission, the Make-A-Wish Foundation presented the New York Yankees with one of their highest honors, the 2010 Chris Greicius Celebrity Award.
The Sport Management Mentoring Program was implemented to expose local high-school students, ages 15-18, to various careers associated with professional sports. On a monthly basis, the New York Yankees work in conjunction with various schools/organizations that identify approximately 25 students to attend an interactive discussion with front office personnel who share their career paths, position/day-to-day responsibilities, how their work supports game-day activities, and an overview of what takes place off the field. In addition, students are treated to lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium.
The New York Yankees and Mayor Bloomberg worked in conjunction to address the issues of truancy, chronic absenteeism and lack of school engagement in New York City public schools. The campaign, called WakeUp! NYC, sends chronically absent students automated phone calls with wake-up messages from public figures encouraging them to attend school on time. WakeUp! NYC also sends automated phone calls with congratulatory messages acknowledging students for their improved attendance. As part of the campaign, NYC public school students received surprise wake-up messages from Yankees stars Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Mark Teixeira.
On June 7, the New York Yankees and Wake Up! NYC recognized public school students from across the five boroughs for their improved attendance over the past school year during an on-field pre-game ceremony. In addition, the New York Yankees hosted in excess of 450 students at Yankee Stadium to share in this experience and hopefully motivate them to follow in the footsteps of the 2011/2012 honorees.
Prior to the start of the school year, the New York Yankees and Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center partnered to host immunization fairs to afford Bronx youth, ages 4-18, with the opportunity to receive their required vaccinations at no cost. Vaccinations protect children against serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases. On August 21, the New York Yankees worked in conjunction with doctors, nurses and health educators from Lincoln Medical Center to kick-off the Campaign's 6th Annual Back-to-School Immunization Fair at Yankee Stadium. Families in attendance received information on healthy lifestyle initiatives, food, entertainment, promotional give-aways and tickets to attend a 2012 home game. During this year's Campaign, the immunization records of more than 840 Bronx youth were updated to ensure they were ready to start school on day one of the 2012/2013 school year.
The New York Yankees collaborated with the 161st Street Merchants' Association to ensure local youth started the 2012/2013 school year on a positive note. Throughout the day individuals in attendance of the 11th Annual Back-to-School Jamm/Health Fair were provided with food, entertainment and free health screenings. In addition, 2,500 Bronx-based students received a New York Yankees back to school supplies kit.
The New York Yankees worked in conjunction with State Farm to support and highlight the efforts of individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of Bronx residents. All honorees were invited to watch batting practice on-field, enjoy a pre-game meal in one of the premier restaurants at Yankee Stadium, and watch the game from field box seats. In addition, honorees were recognized and presented with the State Farm Go To Bat Award during a pre-game ceremony.
The New York Yankees partnered with Community Board 4 (CB4) to host the 4 + 44 Awards Ceremony at Yankee Stadium to recognize/showcase the efforts of local police officers and firefighters for their commitment to make a difference in the lives of CB4 residents. Honorees included:
Fifteen children from Renaissance EMS (Education, Music, and Sports) in the Bronx were provided with the opportunity to sing/perform the chorus of "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 11)" alongside Roger Waters in front of 40,000 fans during The Wall: Live concerts performed by Roger Waters at Yankee Stadium on July 6-7. The children were given a t-shirt, dinner, and complimentary tickets to enjoy the remainder of the concert.
The New York Yankees worked in conjunction with Major League Soccer and Creative Artists Agency to provide in excess of 130 local youth, ages 7 to 17, with a unique opportunity to participate in on-field ceremonies in front of a packed Stadium. Participants were given a team uniform/t-shirt, food/beverage, and two tickets to attend the game. In addition, the New York Yankees donated approximately 3,000 complimentary tickets to various community based organizations for area youth to witness the most storied soccer teams take the field at Yankee Stadium.
On Monday, August 27, the New York Yankees teamed-up with the Women's Sports Foundation to raise awareness/promote the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. In support of the Women's Sports Foundation's efforts dedicated to providing positive recreational outlets for girls throughout the five boroughs, the New York Yankees presented the Foundation with a contribution during an on-field pre-game ceremony. In addition, approximately 200 girls from the local GoGirlGo! Program were invited to attend that evening's game at Yankee Stadium.
The New York Yankees partnered with the Bronx Borough President's Office to host the Bronx Borough President's Cup Tournament. Bronx Little League teams were invited to identify players, who excelled on the baseball diamond and in the classroom, and provide them with the opportunity to compete in the Tournament. The Championship game was played at Yankee Stadium and featured the Little League Raiders and Bronx Bombers. Close to 1,000 fans were in attendance to recognize the achievements of all the student athletes that competed and to witness the Little League Raiders win the 2012 Bronx Borough President's Cup trophy.
The New York Yankees collaborated with United Healthcare and New York City Parks & Recreation to provide 85 local youth, ages 8-12, with the opportunity to participate in a week long summer baseball camp at Heritage Field, located adjacent to Yankee Stadium. Each participant received a Yankees uniform, professional instruction, lunch, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium.
On Thursday, November 15, the New York Yankees and White Rose teamed up to hold the Annual Thanksgiving Food Voucher Giveaway at Yankee Stadium. During the event, Bronx residents were provided with vouchers that could be redeemed at local Met Food or Pioneer Supermarkets to assist with the expense related to preparing a Thanksgiving meal. Approximately 2,100 food vouchers were allocated.
On Wednesday, November 21, the New York Yankees, Legends Hospitality and the Supportive Children's Advocacy Network (SCAN) collaborated to host a traditional Thanksgiving feast for 200 local residents at SCAN-NY's Mullaly Recreation Center, located adjacent to Yankee Stadium on 164th Street and Jerome Avenue.
Yankee Stadium transformed into the North Pole on Friday, December 7, when the New York Yankees hosted the 2012 Winter Wonderland event in conjunction with the Bronx Borough President's Office and Legends Hospitality. Close to 3,000 local youth were treated to a holiday extravaganza in Yankee Stadium's Great Hall, complete with holiday decorations, festive music, including caroling by the Highbridge Voices Choir, and food and soft drinks. As a result of the commitment of the New York Yankees Foundation, Bronx Borough President's Office and Neil and Amanda Friedman, every child in attendance was provided with a holiday gift.
On an annual basis, the New York Yankees partner with White Rose and members of the Bronx clergy to host a Holiday Food Drive at Yankee Stadium. On December 12, in excess of 108,000 pounds of food was collected and distributed to families in need throughout the Bronx. In addition, 2,000 food vouchers were allocated to Bronx residents that could be redeemed at local Met Food or Pioneer Supermarkets to assist with the expense related to preparing a holiday meal.
In association with the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the New York Yankees, Nike and the Public School Athletic League teamed up to host the 2012 PSAL Varsity City Championship Football game at Yankee Stadium on December 4, featuring Erasmus Hall High School and Tottenville High School. Approximately 4,100 fans were in attendance to witness the Erasmus Hall Dutchmen defeat the Tottenville Pirates, 15-14, in an exciting game.
In association with the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the New York Yankees, Nike and the Public School Athletic League partnered to host the 2012 MVP Scholar Athlete Awards Ceremony at Yankee Stadium. Eleven scholar-athletes from each of the five boroughs were identified and recognized for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements. In addition, the 55 scholar-athletes were recognized on-field at the end of the first quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 29.
In association with the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the New York Yankees invited local youth from the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and Bronx Colts Youth Football to participate in a Pep Talk held by Syracuse Head Coach Doug Marrone at Yankee Stadium. Coach Marrone inspired young football players, stressing the importance of being a well-rounded scholar-athlete. In addition, the youth in attendance practiced alongside Syracuse players and concluded their day at Yankee Stadium recapping the day's festivities during lunch.
On an annual basis, the New York Yankees Comp Ticket Program provides local youth with the opportunity to experience professional and amateur sporting events hosted at Yankee Stadium. As a result, in 2012 the New York Yankees donated approximately 67,000 tickets to various community-based organizations.
The New York Yankees are committed to supporting community-based organizations that provide positive educational and recreational outlets for New York City youth. During 2012, the New York Yankees dedicated in excess of 7 million dollars in resources to such programs. A number of our community partners are listed below:
