After 68 years of partnership between the Boston Red Sox's charitable Red Sox Foundation and the Jimmy Fund, a charity supporting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, patients from the Jimmy Fund Clinic received a unique honor that most Bostonians spend their whole lives only dreaming about: Fenway Park Field Access. 

As part of the Bullpen Buddies charity initiative, sponsored by IBEW Local 103 and NECA, Dana-Farber pediatric patients stood on the field of the oldest, most beloved Major League ballpark in America and cheered on the Red Sox during their batting practice. 

The Red Sox Foundation has worked closely with Dana-Farber and its revered Jimmy Fund for decades, partnering to raise money for cancer research and treatment for adults and children. 

Throughout the Red Sox batting practice, Jimmy Fund Clinic patients were greeted at the bullpen by some hometown heroes: players of the Boston Red Sox. After getting autographs from their new friends, patients and their families then stayed to watch the Red Sox match up against the Toronto Blue Jays, together enjoying America's favorite pastime in America's favorite park. 

IBEW Local 103 and NECA also provided each of the young visitors with IBEW Local 103 t-shirts, Red Sox hats, a baseball, and other Red Sox merchandise in a complimentary swag bag as part of the experience. 

"Bullpen Buddies is a really special initiative, and we're proud to play a part in making such a positive, lasting memory for local youth," said Lou Antonellis, Business Manager of IBEW Local 103. "That's what this partnership with the Sox is all about: working together for our community." 

The members of IBEW Local 103 and NECA have been servicing Fenway Park for over 100 years. Now, IBEW Local 103 members, along with the union contractors of NECA, have forged a broader partnership with the Boston Red Sox that will help power a number of key charitable initiatives. In addition to Bullpen Buddies, these initiatives include the recent Baseball Tomorrow Fund Equipment Drive and an expansion of the "Helmets to Hardhats" program that helps returning military service veterans find rewarding, family-sustaining careers in the construction trade industry.

"Generations of Red Sox players, staff, and fans have raised millions for cancer treatment and research for the Jimmy Fund. We're excited to celebrate our partnership, which is the oldest and most extensive team-charity relationship in professional sports. There isn't a better way to celebrate that than to give our young patients the chance to meet their favorite players on the field at Fenway Park," said Jimmy Fund spokesperson Molly McHale. "We can't thank IBEW and NECA enough for choosing The Jimmy Fund for what was a special day for patients and their families." 

About the Jimmy Fund: The Jimmy Fund solely supports Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of community fundraising events. Their charity partners include the Boston Red Sox, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. 

About IBEW Local 103: IBEW Local 103's mission is to provide Greater Boston's developers with the best trained, most efficient, safest electricians and telecommunications specialists, while fostering our Union's values of economic fairness, equal opportunity and charitable giving in the communities where we work, live, and raise our families. Our unwavering commitment to professional excellence is personified by the recently built addition to our Joint Apprenticeship Training facility. The Local 103 JATC is among the most advance electrical apprenticeship programs in the country. Working for better wages, better benefits, and fair working conditions is only a small part of our Union's focus. Local 103 members take pride in giving back our time and expertise to causes and charities serving those less fortunate throughout our jurisdiction.

About NECA of Greater Boston: For over 100 years, NECA of Greater Boston has guaranteed Eastern New England construction developers the highest level of quality in electric and telecommunication service. Through representation of more than 80 of the finest electrical and telecom contractors in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, NECA of Greater Boston strives every day to bring reliability and safety to each local project. Our tireless dedication to construction quality is synonymous to our dedication to the communities we serve, and we're proud to share and amplify those values through partnerships with the union electrical industry. Together our priority is simple: to advocate for the education, management and skilled workforce training, and labor relations that are constantly raising the standards of the industry.