Red Sox Foundation receives grant funding for Lawrence RBI Field renovations from Morgan Wallen Foundation, CVS Health Charity Classic
BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox Foundation announced today grant funding from the Morgan Wallen Foundation and CVS Health Charity Classic that will bring a comprehensive renovation of the Howard Playstead Fields (Playstead Park) in Lawrence, MA. Playstead Park is home to the Lawrence Red Sox Foundation Nike RBI program, and the field enhancements will improve programming for youth baseball and softball leagues across Lawrence. The donation from the Morgan Wallen Foundation comes as Wallen is set to perform three consecutive sold-out shows at the 2023 Nucar Fenway Concert Series, presented by Wasabi Technologies at Fenway Park beginning today, August 16 through Friday, August 18.
The contributions from the Morgan Wallen Foundation and CVS Health Charity Classic will be utilized to enhance the overall conditions of the fields, creating an environment that fosters skill development, teamwork, and camaraderie among the youth participants. This initiative represents an extension of the existing partnership between the Red Sox Foundation, the City of Lawrence, and the Lawrence Sports Alliance. Through collaborative efforts, this partnership aims to broaden access and opportunities for the youth of Lawrence, promoting active engagement in sports and a sense of community belonging.
“On behalf of the residents of the City of Lawrence, we thank the Red Sox Foundation for their constant support and investment in our community, and we are grateful to the Morgan Wallen Foundation and CVS Health Charity Classic for their generous donation that will bring long needed improvements to one of the city’s most utilized open spaces,” said Mayor Brian De Peña. “We look forward to working together to provide Lawrencians with a park and open space that will improve their quality of life through recreation.”
“The Red Sox Foundation is grateful to the Morgan Wallen Foundation and CVS Health Charity Classic for their generous contributions that will directly impact hundreds of youth and families across the city of Lawrence,” said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. “The transformation of these fields symbolizes a commitment to fostering growth, inclusivity, and athletic excellence among our RBI families, and this funding exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving positive change within the communities we serve and growing the game we all love.”
“Our goal with the Morgan Wallen Foundation is to be sure that kids have access to sports and music programs. I played baseball most of my life. It’s where I learned perseverance, patience, sacrifice, among many other things that I carry with me to this day. We are honored to partner with the Red Sox Foundation to renovate these ballfields in Lawrence. Where kids for generations to come will learn similar qualities and hopefully become good ball players in the process,” said Wallen. "And I couldn’t be more excited to play three shows at Fenway. It’s a dream come true for this baseball player."
The Red Sox Foundation Nike RBI Lawrence program, launched in 2022, has been instrumental in revitalizing baseball and softball in the Lawrence community. The program is dedicated to offering accessible and affordable baseball experiences to local youth, cultivating their passion for the game and reigniting the excitement and enthusiasm that surrounded baseball and softball in the past. The ultimate goal is to elevate youth participation to levels seen in 2010, nurturing a new generation of skilled and passionate athletes.