NEW YORK -- On Thursday night, baseball was on the back burner for a good cause. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, senior vice president of community relations Brian Smith and senior vice president of stadium operations Doug Behar participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out.

While Cashman, Smith and Behar found themselves sleeping out on the field at Yankee Stadium, the more than 1,400 participants came together virtually for a night of solidarity and fundraising to support young people facing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were able to sleep out from anywhere -- backyards, porches, terraces, garages, kitchen floors or cars, so long as it was safe and legal. The Sleep Out's mission is to raise urgently needed funds for Covenant House, spread awareness about the youth homelessness crisis and send a powerful message of solidarity to our youth.

“The Covenant House needs to be everywhere. But unfortunately, we can’t be everywhere. But where we are, there are kids who need our help,” said Cashman who is participating in his 10th Sleep Out. “The Sleep Outs are one vehicle in our fundraising efforts, but it’s really our most important vehicle that has the most impact.

“Now in this COVID-19 pandemic that we are dealing with, the funds are that much more necessary than ever. Every dollar raised in this effort is saving lives. It’s making a difference in kids that have no chance. Covenant House is there to give them hope, give them shelter ... get them on their feet and give them an opportunity that has been denied from them.”

This is the first virtual Sleep Out event. In the past, it was held at the Covenant House’s shelter headquarters on Manhattan’s West Side. The link between Cashman and the charity stems from the GM’s relationship with Covenant House president and CEO Kevin Ryan, who was Cashman’s classmate at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Cashman is a member of the Covenant House International's board of directors.

Smith said Covenant House always finds a way to step up when comes to helping young people.

“The one thing that has stayed consistent is Covenant House’s commitment. They are a champion. They are committed and we are honored to call them a partner,” Smith said.