Padres support local organizations during holidays

SAN DIEGO -- There's been a lot for Padres manager Bud Black to smile about this offseason -- and not all of it is because of the additions the team has made to the roster over which he'll preside.

On Dec. 7, Black, former closer Trevor Hoffman, pitcher Tim Stauffer and former Cy Young winner Randy Jones joined first responders to give away turkeys and potatoes that would ultimately feed more than 300 families at Fire Station 17 in San Diego.

The event was part of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Turkey Giveaway.

"We were there to help the firemen. They were the guys who donated some pay to buy the turkeys and potatoes for the families," Black said. "To be part of that day was really cool. You could tell how thankful the families where. I thought the firemen did an awesome job with the families."

You didn't have to search too long this holiday season to find members of the Padres organization out in the community, giving their time to help others.

"I think all players realize how fortunate we are to be in the position as Major League players and with that, I think players want to give back to the fans, the community, based on what they mean to us," Black said. "We know we wouldn't be in this position without the fans and support of the fans."

Here are some of the community events the Padres have been involved with this holiday season:

• On Nov. 26, pitcher Nick Vincent and Jones were joined by the Swinging Friar and approximately 20 members of the front office at the San Diego Food Bank, where they delivered food collected by the Padres front-office staff, and sorted and packed food for families in need.

• On Dec. 3, catcher Nick Hundley, Hoffman, bench coach Dave Roberts, Jones and special assistant Mark Loretta helped with the 19th annual Shop with a Jock event presented by the Junior Seau Foundation. They shopped with children at Target in Mission Valley. Padres president and CEO Mike Dee and Tom Seidler, from the Padres ownership group, attended as did the Swinging Friar.

• On Dec. 4, first baseman Yonder Alonso hosted 20 kids from the 4S Ranch Branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego for a baseball clinic at Petco Park. The kids were treated to lunch at the ballpark, drills on the field and a batting cage experience, as well as a tour of the clubhouse and a special gift bag from Alonso, who grew up in the Boys & Girls Club in his home state of Florida after arriving in the United States from Cuba as a child.

• On Dec. 6, outfielder Cameron Maybin, Vincent and Loretta joined first responders to give away turkeys and potatoes to more than 300 families at Fire Station 19 as part of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Turkey Giveaway. The following day, Black, Hoffman, Stauffer and Jones did the same.

• On Dec. 12, outfielder Carlos Quentin, Vincent, Maybin, Stauffer, Hoffman and Jones took part in the San Diego Armed Services YMCA's 27th annual SuperParent Shopping Day presented by the Spiva Family Foundation. Players and club representatives helped military families shop for their children's holiday gifts. The event serves 900 local military families, providing more than 5,000 toys for military children.

• On Dec. 12, Stauffer and Jones attended the Balboa Naval Medical Center Wounded Warrior Holiday Salute.

• On Dec. 16, approximately 15 members of the Padres front office served lunch to those in need at Father Joe's Village.

• On Dec. 21, front-office volunteers assisted with unloading, wrapping and sorting gift and food donations being distributed during the San Diego Coalition for the "Holiday Magic" party benefiting San Diego's homeless families.

During the month of December, the Padres have been holding a holiday toy drive, with staff members encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to be donated to local organizations.