Major League Baseball selects Robin Hood Relief Fund and Mayor's Fund

As part of its All-Star Week celebration, Major League Baseball will contribute to two organizations helping victims of Sandy. Major League Baseball will donate more than $1 million combined to the Robin Hood Relief Fund and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City as part of two major events taking place on Saturday, July 13^th of All-Star Week. These two Sandy relief events include the All-Star 5K & Fun Run Benefiting Sandy Relief presented by Nike and the free, ticketed MLB All-Star Charity Concert benefiting Sandy Relief starring Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic with a special guest appearance by multiple Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey. All free tickets to the Concert, which will take place on Central Park's iconic Great Lawn, have been distributed.

Since Sandy struck, Robin Hood has raised and granted more than $70 million to over 400 different organizations helping victims throughout the tri-state area. A bulk of MLB's contribution will go to Robin Hood to address relief efforts throughout the tri-State area. The Mayor's Fund raised nearly $600 million to support a range of initiatives for Sandy victims in coordination with government and community partners. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, contributions to the Mayor's Fund helped to support emergency needs including hot food, toiletries, baby supplies, warm clothing and medications. The Mayor's Fund is now committed to longer-term restoration efforts in coordination with New York City agencies and community partners, including mold treatment in homes and sponsoring a network of housing counselors and legal service providers to help residents.

"Our events on Saturday of All-Star Week will provide fans with unique ways to be a part of the Midsummer Classic while raising funds for those who are still affected by the storm," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "With the great work that Robin Hood and the Mayor's Fund have already accomplished in helping Sandy victims, these groups are well prepared to support those in the tri-state area who are still in need. As a social institution with important social responsibilities, it is our privilege to utilize the platform that the All-Star Game affords to raise money and awareness." 

"We are excited to play host to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, and grateful for this generous contribution to the Mayor's Fund," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "The Mayor's Fund, along with our network of partners, has played a vital role in New York City's recovery since Sandy. With the help of great supporters like MLB, we can continue to rebuild and come back stronger than ever."

"Although it's been nine months since Sandy devastated our community, much work remains to be done," said David Saltzman, executive director of Robin Hood. "Major League Baseball's generous support of the Robin Hood Relief Fund will make a huge difference to our neighbors as they continue to rebuild and recover and we are so grateful for their support."

"The Robin Hood Relief Fund and the Mayor's Fund have both dedicated infinite efforts to the communities impacted by Sandy," said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. "We are thrilled to aid their efforts through the All-Star 5K & Fun Run with our supportive and devoted local New York City running community."

The All-Star 5K & Fun Run Benefiting Sandy Relief presented by Nike taking place in Brooklyn's Prospect Park will feature a number of special guests including Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, legendary MLB manager Tony La Russa, former Mets John Franco, Dwight Gooden, Ed Charles, Ed Kranepool, Barry Lyons and Art Shamsky, MLB Network analysts Eric Byrnes and Sam Ryan, and ten mascots, including Mr. Met.

Charles, Kranepool and Shamsky have created a "Miracle Mets" fundraising team in honor of their 1969 World Series Championship. Four-time All-Star John Franco has created "Team Franco" to participate in the All-Star 5K & Fun Run Benefiting Sandy Relief presented by Nike. Fans can register to be a part of these fundraising teams or register as an individual at AllStarGame.com/Run.

Participants have the opportunity to create their own fundraising team online via a platform powered by Karma411. The top individual fundraisers will be rewarded with special All-Star experiences including tickets to All-Star events, the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Chevrolet Home Run Derby and the chance to join celebrities and legends on a team competing in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. Awards will also be presented to the race's top male, female, youth and wheelchair finishers.

The 5K, an officially timed New York Road Runners event, will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET with the wheelchair division beginning at 7:55 a.m. ET. The family-friendly 1.5 Mile Fun Run will begin immediately following the 5K start. All registered participants will receive a commemorative event T-shirt. Registration is $35 (adult) and $30 (children 17 and under) for the 5K and Fun Run. Registration and event information is available at AllStarGame.com/Run. Space is limited so participants are encouraged to sign up early.

Participants of all ages will make their way through an All-Star themed course inside Prospect Park that will feature appearances by MLB legends, mascots and special guests. The event will count as part of the 9+1 Program to earn guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon for New York Road Runners members who meet eligibility requirements. MLB is working with New York Road Runners and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to organize the event and will donate more than $1 million to the Robin Hood Relief Fund and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City for distribution to charities supporting relief from Sandy in connection with the event.

Additional sponsors supporting the event include Aquafina, Chevrolet, Duane Reade, Fox Sports 1, Gatorade, Hospital for Special Surgery, Kellogg's, T-Mobile and Time Warner Cable.

Previous MLB All-Star 5K & Fun Run events have been held in St. Louis (2009), Anaheim (2010) and Kansas City (2012).

For more MLB All-Star Week information, please visit AllStarGame.com.