Padres' year-round giving ramps up at holidays

SAN DIEGO -- As part of the Padres' Holiday Giving campaign, the organization will take part in nearly 15 events throughout the region in the next two months -- with the goal of helping families, first responders and the military.

But the Padres' giving spirit isn't just reserved for the holidays.

"The Padres are committed to being responsible and impactful leaders in the San Diego community," said Sue Botos, the vice president of community relations for the team. "We will give hundreds of volunteer hours to local charitable organizations this holiday season in addition to the thousands of hours donated to greater San Diego throughout the year."

:: Baseball's Giving Spirit ::

As for holiday giving, the Padres will be busy beginning this week. First, there will be a Thanksgiving luncheon where staff is encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to Feeding America.

During the organization's holiday party, staff and their guests are encouraged to bring a new toy, which will be donated to Toys for Tots.

There will be Super Parent Shopping Day hosted by the Armed Services YMCA, where military families in need get the opportunity to "shop" for Christmas presents for their children. Players and alumni act as "personal shoppers," helping parents select free gifts for their children.

There will be a turkey distribution event hosted by San Diego Fire-Rescue, Station 17, where players and alumni will hand out turkeys and bags of potatoes to area families in need.

The Padres annually help serve meals to the homeless at local Father Joe's Villages. Team staff and volunteers will also assist sorting and packing food at the San Diego Food Bank.

The Padres will also attend the Wounded Warrior Battalion Holiday Party at the Balboa Naval Medical Center, interacting and showing appreciation to service members and their families.

"We will engage players, coaches, staff, Pad Squad and Friar in an effort to make the holiday season a little bit brighter for others in our community," Botos added.

In terms of year-round giving, the Padres Volunteer Team presented by Toyota continues to grow. Launched in March 2015, the Volunteer Team gives back year-round to a wide variety of charities in San Diego, Imperial County and Baja California, Mexico.

Video: Sign up for Padres Volunteer Team to give back to SD

The team is just shy of 4,000 members and they have collectively donated over 7,000 to more than 50 charities.

To learn more about volunteering, visit www.padres.com/volunteer.