Astros Recognize Community Leaders Occidental Petroleum and Halliburton during Homestand
Occidental and Halliburton Honored for Community Leaders Commitment with Pregame Ceremonies, First Pitch
The Astros recognized Community Leaders Occidental Petroleum and Halliburton during this weekend's homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park.
As part of Community Leader Occidental Night on Friday, August 23, 2,000 employees and family members attended the game and celebrated the new Community Leader partnership with The Astros Foundation, the City of Houston Parks and Recreations Department and the players and coaches from Denver Harbor Little League, who joined them in the cheering section. Occidental Director of External Affairs Nancy Turner, President of Oxy Americas William Albrecht, President of Denver Harbor Little League David Rodriguez and four young representatives from the teams joined Astros President Reid Ryan, VP of Corporate Partnerships Matt Brand and SVP of Community Relations and Executive Director of The Astros Foundation Meg Vaillancourt in a special pregame ceremony.
Additionally, Occidental honored two active-duty military members, as they do at every Astros home game.
Saturday, August 24, was Community Leader Halliburton Night at Minute Maid Park, and as a part of the celebration, Halliburton hosted the children and staff from East End Little League who call the newly renovated youth baseball and softball fields at Diez Park their home fields. Halliburton Director of Corporate Affairs Beverly Stafford, East End Little League coach Jose "Shorty" Sanchez and two young East End LL players joined Astros President Reid Ryan, VP of Corporate Partnerships Matt Brand and SVP of Community Relations and Executive Director of The Astros Foundation Meg Vaillancourt in a special pregame ceremony. A ceremonial joint first pitch was thrown out by 9-year-old Bryanna Martinez and 10-year-old Jose "JC" Sanchez of East End Little League. The two little leaguers were accompanied by Renee LeBas, Global Human Asset Manager for Halliburton's Production Enhancement product service line.
Halliburton also hosted a silent auction of player autographed items and in-game experiences to benefit The Astros Foundation at Saturday's game.
As Community Leaders, Occidental Petroleum and Halliburton are teaming up with The Astros Foundation and will each contribute 1.5 million dollars over the next five years to support the renovation, construction, and maintenance of public youth baseball and softball fields at Denver Harbor Park and Diez Park, respectively. Oxy and Halliburton will also provide additional programming and game tickets, as well as participate in community service projects to benefit the Denver Harbor Little League and East End Little League.
ABOUT THE ASTROS FOUNDATION:
The Astros Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) team charity of the Houston Astros. Led by Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane and his partners, the Astros Foundation seeks to harness the passion of baseball fans in our region to support our cornerstone charitable youth baseball and softball programs serving at risk youth of Greater Houston. Those initiatives include the Astros Community Leaders program, the Astros Urban Youth Academy and the Astros RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) league. The Executive Director of the Astros Foundation is Astros Sr. VP of Community Relations Meg Vaillancourt. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.astros.com/foundation or email [email protected].