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Once John Moores and his family assumed stewardship of the San Diego Padres in January 1995, active participation in the community has been at the heart of the franchise's philosophy and philanthropy. Padres' players, staff, management and ownership know how important it
is to give of themselves - their time, energy, concern and creativity -- as well as of their financial resources. The magic of baseball, coupled with a commitment to get personally involved, contributes to the community in a multitude of ways -- large and small, publicized and private. The Padres' active participation in the community has included major initiatives in education, youth recreation, and health throughout the region, as well as support of literally thousands of charitable and community organizations on both sides of the border. The Padres Scholars, the Little Padres Parks program, and the Cindy Matters Fund to fight children's cancer are three pillars of a far-reaching community effort.
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Padres Scholars |
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The Padres Scholars program provides bright but financially challenged students a $5,000 scholarship (plus accrued interest) to attend a four-year college or university. Students are selected as middle schoolers based on the premise that they, who invariably face dangerous temptations, might opt for the straight and narrow route through high school if they had a guarantee that their good efforts would be rewarded with a college education.
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Teacher Appreciation Nights |
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For the fifth consecutive year, the Padres will salute San Diego County schoolteachers at PETCO Park. This year these teachers will again be honored at two games in one season, first on Monday, May 2nd and then again on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, both of which featured pre-game ceremonies honoring different groups of exceptional San Diego County teachers. |
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Little Padres Parks |
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To help celebrate the 60th anniversary of professional baseball in San Diego, dating to the 1936 Pacific Coast League Padres, Moores suggested providing 60 diamonds where youngsters throughout the region (including Baja California) could play ball in clean, safe settings. All Little Padres Parks have grass infields, big-league landscaping, scoreboards, and signature palm trees in the outfield.
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STAR/PAL Summer Baseball & Rookie Camps |
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The Padres have teamed up with STAR/PAL (Sports, Training, Academics, Recreation/Police Athletic League) to bring baseball to inner city youth by providing Rookie League clinics on basic baseball skills to youngsters from ages 5 to 12, and Summer Baseball camps for older boys and girls who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to play in organized baseball and softball leagues. Because of these programs, over 1,000 disadvantaged kids were able to play baseball in 2004. For more information, please contact STAR/PAL at (619) 531-2718. |
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Kids Run the Bases |
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Following several Sunday home games this season, thousands of youngsters will have the opportunity to come down to the field where their heroes play and "Run the Bases" at PETCO Park. The 2005 dates include: May 1, June 26, and August 28. |
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Little League Days |
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Because of the popularity of Little League Day in seasons past, in 2005, the Padres have once again designated two games at PETCO Park to host Little Leaguers from all over Southern California. On Sunday, May 15 and June 12, 2005, representatives from each Little League district will take the field with Padres Players, throw out the first pitch, sing the national anthem, and lead the crowd in the Little League Pledge as part of the Little League Day festivities.
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MLB Pitch, Hit & Run |
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This is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball. This grassroots program, initiated in 1996, is designed to provide youth across North America with an integrated competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball skills. Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run features local, sectional and Major League Baseball Team Championship competitions and culminates with the National Finals held annually as part of the All-Star Game festivities in July. The Padres will host the San Diego Team Championship on Sunday, June 12, 2005. For more information, please contact: LEJ Sports Group at 770-641-7519.
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Bank of America Youth Take the Field |
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At every Sunday home game in 2005, Bank of America and the Padres will sponsor "Youth Take the Field," where a youth baseball or softball team gets to take the field with Padres players during the National Anthem. To apply for this program, please email us at community@padres.com with the following information: The name of your team and league, why your team should be selected, within what community is your team located and if you are a client of Bank of America, at which branch do you bank. |
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Madres |
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The Madres were formed in 1972 and at that time were proud to sponsor two youth baseball teams in San Diego County. The number of kids who play organized ball in the county due to the hard work and generosity of the Madres has grown every year since then. In 2004, more than 36,000 kids were able to play organized ball because of the Madres! These kids played on teams in 90 leagues throughout San Diego region.
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Cindy Matters Fund |
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The Cindy Matters Fund is the Padres' vehicle for fighting children's cancer. Named for an inspiring young woman who demonstrated remarkable spirit before succumbing to colon cancer on January 18, 1997, the fund was established less than three months later and has raised more nearly $1 million for the UCSD/Children's Hospital Cancer Center.
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Medical All-Stars |
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Recognizing San Diego's burgeoning biotech industry, the club turns its spotlight on the brilliant heroes who are searching for a cure for cancer. Before every Saturday night home game, a scientist is given a hero's welcome - for they are San Diego's true heroes. Since the program's inception in 1997, we have had the honor of paying tribute to 79 such outstanding professionals.
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VIP Kids |
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The Padres roll out the red carpet for children facing serious illnesses throughout the season. These "Very Important Padres," recommended by local support organizations and health caregivers like Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children's Hospital, get to come down to the field before a game, meet their favorite players, and watch a Padres game from special seats. |
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Blood Drive |
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The San Diego Blood Bank and the Padres established a Blood/Marrow/Stem Cell Drive in 1997, which has collected 1,946 pints of blood and typed 2,445 marrow donors through 2004. Last year's Blood Drive was held on Friday, June 18th at the Omni Hotel from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and collected a Padres Best-344 pints.
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CaP Cure/Home Run Challenge |
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The Padres along with the other 29 Major League teams, players, managers and owners, team up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to fight the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in America. For the 132 home runs hit in 60 selected games during Father's Day week 2004, over $2.1 million was raised to help find a cure for prostate cancer. The Padres recognized CaP Cure on Saturday, June 19th, as part of Father's Day weekend with the theme "Keep Dad in the Game." For more information, please visit www.capcure.org or call 1-800-798-CURE. |
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Celebration of Champions |
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Each year the Padres support Children's Hospital Celebration of Champions. The 2004 event was held on Saturday, May 15th. For photos from this event, please click
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The Padres Foundation for Children, established in 1995 by Padres Chairman John Moores, is the primary source of fundraising for the Padres Scholars, Little Padres Parks, and the Cindy Matters Fund, as well as other youth-oriented philanthropy. The Padres Foundation for Children raises funds through a number of programs in which fans can participate.
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Scoreboard Surprises |
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For a donation, fans can submit customized birthday or other messages, which are displayed on the out-of-town scoreboard during Padres home games. Fans interested in requesting a Scoreboard Surprise, should download an application form and mail it to: The Padres Foundation for Children, Attn: Scoreboard Surprises, P.O. Box 122000, San Diego, CA 92112. Downloadable Request Form >> |
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Brick Program |
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The San Diego Ballpark Brick Program raised funds for Ballpark construction, with a portion being donated to the Padres Foundation. Over 10,000 bricks were installed in Palm Court Plaza prior to Opening Day in 2004 as part of this sold-out program. A new fan participation program is being explored; stay tuned for more information.
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Shirts Off Their Backs |
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In September, fans can purchase opportunity "scratch-off" tickets and about 35 lucky fans win the opportunity to get the jersey right off the back of Padres players and coaches following he season's final home game. The 2004 Shirts of Their Backs Fundraiser was held after the final home game on Thursday, September 30th. |
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Donate Your Tickets |
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Not using your tickets? This season-long program enables Padres season ticket customers can return tickets to upcoming games for distribution to various non-profit organizations. In 2004, nearly 5,000 tickets were donated to disadvantaged youth in San Diego. Fans can bring in unused future game tickets to the Padres Ticket Office at PETCO Park, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Or mail them along with your name and address and at least 10 days in advance to: The Padres Foundation for Children, Attn: Ticket Donation, P.O. Box 122000, San Diego, CA 92112-2000. |
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Player Programs |
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Baseball thrills us, lifts our spirits, and connects us to our community in very special ways. Padres players understand that this connection is personal and precious. It is the privilege and responsibility, of Padres players, management and staff to be involved in the community in a positive way -- from greeting fans at the gates to Photo Day to participation in Autograph Alley, community caravans and many programs embraced by individual players.
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Donations |
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We believe the Padres, and all baseball clubs have a special opportunity to contribute to the community and we are committed to doing so. Every year, the Padres support thousands of organizations by making donations to fundraising events. To request a donation for an upcoming fundraising effort, please send a request in writing, on organizational letterhead to: San Diego Padres Community Relations, Attn: Charitable Donation, P.O. Box 122000, San Diego, CA 92112.
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Charity Ticket Programs |
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The Padres Charity Ticket Programs provide complimentary tickets to organizations that serve disadvantaged children who would otherwise not be able to attend a baseball game. The Padres teamed up with corporate partners Wells Fargo, Pardee Homes, Nokia, ViaSat and Mission Valley Christian Fellowship to provide more than 18,000 tickets to games throughout the 2004 season to deserving groups based on need and at no charge.
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Speakers Bureau |
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Rarely does a day go when at least one member of the Padres family, including players, coaches, alumni and staff, cannot be found reaching out to fans somewhere in the San Diego area. Our Speakers Bureau is an important part of the Padres on-going community outreach effort. If your community organization is looking for a speaker for your next meeting or group function, please fill out a Speakers Bureau request form and mail it to: San Diego Padres Community Relations, Attn: Speakers Bureau, P.O. Box 122000, San Diego, CA 92112. Downloadable Request Form >> |
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Military |
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The San Diego Padres are unique in Major League Baseball as the only team with a designated Military Marketing Department. This dedicated military marketing effort was begun in 1995 and has grown stronger over the subsequent years. Today, the Padres provide more military programs and support to the military than any other professional sports team in the country. The relationship established between the Padres and the military in San Diego has earned them the title of "The Team of the Military."
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Multicultural |
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Historically, baseball has been America's national pastime, but it has become an increasingly global game. The Padres' fan base reaches across the border to Mexico and across the ocean to the Pacific Rim. San Diego is a diverse community, and the Padres reach out to Native Americans, New Americans, and fans of all ethnicities. Publications and radio/television programming are produced in English and Spanish, and there is a multicultural dimension to almost all of the club's marketing and community relations efforts. |
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PETCO Adoption Sundays |
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Every 2005 Sunday home game at PETCO Park is Pet Adoption Day. PETCO and the Padres partnered with six San Diego County animal shelters to feature a Pet of the Week at the ballpark in the hopes of finding it a loving home. Once adopted, PETCO and Science Diet provide each Pet of the Week with a one-year supply of food.
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Community