The Orioles will open a six-game homestand beginning Monday, August 29, when they host the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. ET. During the homestand, the Oriole Advocates will hold their annual Cardboard to Leather™ collection at the ballpark. Additionally, the Orioles will host nearly 900 children as part of the OriolesREACH Gameday Experience Program, honor the USO of Baltimore-Washington, and join Major League Baseball to raise awareness for pediatric cancer research during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
 
On Sunday, September 4, the Oriole Advocates will conduct their 2016 Cardboard to Leather™ collection presented by Legg Mason during the 1:35 p.m. game against the New York Yankees. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently-used baseball equipment to the game. Financial donations will also be accepted to help with shipping costs.
 
The Oriole Advocates created the Cardboard to Leather™ program in 1992 to provide baseball and softball equipment to underprivileged youth in developing countries. Since the program's inception, the Oriole Advocates have distributed equipment to youth baseball players around the world in places such as Afghanistan, Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Serbia, Venezuela, and throughout the United States. In the last eight years alone, the Oriole Advocates have been able to impact more than 50,000 children internationally and domestically through the Cardboard to Leather™ program.
 
In a pregame ceremony on Sunday, JENNIFER BYERS, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Legg Mason, will present the Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation with a $5,000 contribution for the Cardboard to Leather Equipment Collection. In addition, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will award a grant of $5,000 to the Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation for the purchase of new equipment. 
 
The Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation will also conduct a silent auction of sports memorabilia on the lower concourse near Gate E to benefit the Cardboard to Leather™ program. Fans will have the chance to bid on baseballs, photos, bats, and jerseys autographed by current Orioles. The auction will begin when gates open at 11:30 a.m. and will conclude at 2:30 p.m.
 
BIRDLAND COMMUNITY HEROES PROGRAM
This season, the Orioles launched the Birdland Community Heroes Program to recognize community heroes who have inspired others through their spirited commitment to extend a hand in charity, service, hope, and harmony. This recognition honors the heroism of members of our extended Orioles community from all walks of life, occupations, and diverse backgrounds living in our region, our country, and abroad, who have distinguished themselves by selflessly working or volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others, around the corner or around the globe, who are most in need.
 
The Orioles recognize local Birdland Community Heroes at Oriole Park during every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home game.
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
 
ORIOLES TO PRESENT CHECK TO USO METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE
The USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore (USO-Metro), DARREN and ELIZABETH O'DAY, and OriolesREACH, will host a pregame "Barbecue for the Troops" picnic on Monday, August 29, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Academy Bus will provide coach transportation for more than 100 military members and their families - including wounded, ill, and injured service members - to enjoy a day full of fun, food, and baseball. JENAE CHERRY, country music artist and wife of Orioles pitcher BRAD BRACH, will also perform at the "Barbecue for the Troops" event. Media interested in covering this event should contact Chris Martrich ([email protected]) to RSVP.
 
Following the event, the Orioles and the O'Day family, will present a check for more than $34,000 to ELAINE ROGERS, President and CEO of the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, during a special pregame ceremony to support the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore. Proceeds will benefit USO-Metro's vital programs for local service members and their families, including support of those that are injured, ill, and recovering. The Orioles raised these funds from several auctions, including the Fourth of July Stars & Stripes jersey and cap auction and a silent auction at Oriole Park featuring Orioles players' "favorite things" baskets in July, in addition to a personal donation from the O'Day family.
 
USO-Metro is proud to be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2016, and their USO Lounge at BWI Airport serves 70,000 service members a year as they travel through the area. Fans attending Monday's game can visit the OriolesREACH Community Booth on the lower concourse by Gate D to learn more information on USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore and how to support their cause.
 
ORIOLES ALUMNI AUTOGRAPH SERIES
During every Monday and Thursday home game, former Orioles players will sign autographs on Eutaw Street as part of the Orioles Alumni Autograph Series. On Monday, August 29, former Orioles LARRY BIGBIE, RICK KRIVDA, and JEFF REBOULET will sign autographs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the autograph location will take place on the Lower Level Concourse near the Fan Assistance Center behind home plate.
 
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30
 
STEVE PEARCE TO APPEAR AT THE T-MOBILE STORE IN NOTTINGHAM
On Tuesday, August 30, Orioles infielder-outfielder STEVE PEARCE will make an appearance at the T-Mobile store (8010 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236) from noon to 1:00 p.m. Pearce will sign autographs and greet fans. The event is free of charge and open to the public.  
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
 
ORIOLES JOIN MLB IN FIGHT AGAINST PEDIATRIC CANCER
September is childhood cancer awareness month, and Major League Baseball is dedicating Friday, September 2, to pediatric cancer awareness. Every year, an estimated 250,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. All MLB players, coaches, and grounds crew members will wear gold ribbon decals and wristbands to raise awareness and show their support for pediatric cancer.
 
In honor of childhood cancer awareness month, the Orioles will invite 6-year-old, ZOE STAUCH, of Eldersburg, Md. to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at that night's game. Stauch, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2015, is a part of the Cool Kids Campaign, a local nonprofit organization in Towson, Md. devoted to improving the quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and their families by focusing on the academic, social and emotional needs.
 
Fans attending Friday's game can learn more about how to support the fight against pediatric cancer by visiting Horizon Day Camp at the OriolesREACH Community Booth on the lower concourse by Gate D.
 
ORIOLES ALUMNI SIGNING EVENT AT THE CAMDEN YARDS LIGHT RAIL STATION
On Friday, September 2, former Orioles outfielder LARRY BIGBIE and a second former Orioles player will sign autographs for fans at the Camden Yards Light Rail Station, presented by Maryland Transit Administration. The event is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is open to all fans.
 
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES "TRADING PLACES" PROMOTION
On Friday, September 2, Orioles pitcher MIKE WRIGHT and a second current Orioles player will participate in the Southwest Airlines "Trading Places" promotion at BWI Airport. The players will take part in a variety of jobs performed by Southwest Airlines employees, including boarding passengers for a departing flight, supporting the arrival of Southwest Airlines aircraft, and more. This event is not open to the public. Media who wish to cover the event should contact Dan Landson of Southwest Airlines at [email protected] or 214-792-4565. Media are also asked to please bring a government issued identification card.
 
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
 
KIDS RUN THE BASES
As is the case for every Sunday home game this season, all fans 14 and under will be able to participate in a postgame Kids Run the Bases following the game on Sunday, September 4.
 
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles Military Appreciation Program presented by GEICO, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women. On Sunday, September 4, military members from Yellow Ribbon Fund will enjoy the game against the New York Yankees at 1:35 p.m. from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with J.J. HARDY and MATT WIETERS, and receive a player t-shirt.