Sports News

PULASKI, Va. – The Pulaski Yankees and the American Cancer Society are excited to announce a new partnership ahead of the team’s 2019 season. The multi-faceted partnership features Yankees’ participation at four Relay For Life events in the New River Valley, as well as fundraising efforts throughout the season at Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park during Pulaski Yankees’ games.

“We could not be more excited to team up with Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society,” said Pulaski Yankees General Manager Betsy Haugh. “As an organization, we are committed to giving back to Pulaski and the communities within the New River Valley, and this partnership is a huge step towards achieving our goal of being a more involved corporate citizen.”

The Yankees will be recognized as a Platinum Sponsor for Relay for Life of Wythe County, Relay for Life of Virginia’s Blue Ridge (Roanoke), Relay for Life of Montgomery County, and Relay for Life of Pulaski County. Calf-E, the Yankees mascot, and members of the Pulaski front office staff will attend the Wythe County and Montgomery County events on May 17 and May 31, respectively.

The Pulaski Yankees will also work to raise both funds and awareness for Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society through three fundraising initiatives at the ballpark. At all 34 home games, fans will have the opportunity to donate funds to the American Cancer Society through Calfee’s Checkout Charity, a new program where fans can round their concession or retail purchases up to the nearest dollar, with funds being donated to the American Cancer Society.

The Yankees will host three game-day events at Calfee Park as part of the team’s partnership with the American Cancer Society. On June 23, the Yankees will again participate in Minor League Baseball’s “Cover Your Bases” Sun Safety Initiative that is hosted league-wide in conjunction with MiLB Charities. Cover Your Bases scannables will be sold at the ballpark to raise money for the American Cancer Society on this night.

On June 28, the Evil Empire will come to Calfee Park as the Yankees wear specialty Stormtrooper jerseys for Star Wars Night. These jerseys will be auctioned off later in the season, with proceeds benefiting Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society will serve as the Community Organization of the Night presented by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce on August 8’s Pink in the Park Night, highlighting the Real Men Wear Pink campaign. As community leaders around the nation use the power of pink to raise awareness and money in the fight against breast cancer, Real Men Wear Pink gives men a leadership role in the fight against breast cancer.

“We look forward to not only raising funds for the American Cancer Society, but also helping spread awareness about their mission and the strides the organization is making to support cancer research,” Haugh said. “Pink in the Park will be a great night for us to get our players and fans involved in this partnership.”

Last year, over 100 area businesses and organizations joined with the American Cancer Society in events across Southwest Virginia to raise more than $700,000 to support the society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. The money from these events helps fund cancer research, which has contributed to a 26 percent decline in the cancer death rate since 1991, translating to nearly 2.4 million deaths avoided by cancer in the United States. For more information about Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org.

“We are very excited to be partnering with the Pulaski Yankees,” said Erika Newberry, Community Development Manager for the American Cancer Society, Inc’s Southeast Region. “We look forward to growing this partnership with the Yankees as we strive to lead the fight for a world without cancer!”