Yankees Announce HOPE Week 2012 Details; Award-Winning Community Event to Run from June 25-29

The New York Yankees are proud to announce details of HOPE Week 2012 (Helping Others Persevere & Excel), a unique week-long community program that brings to light five remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities.

Initiated in 2009 and now in its fourth year, HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture.

Each day during HOPE Week, from Monday, June 25, through Friday, June 29, the Yankees will reach out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support. Whenever possible, the Yankees will attempt to personally connect with individuals in the settings of their greatest successes or at locations that honor the spirit of their noble endeavors. All outreach in the community ultimately culminates with recognition at Yankee Stadium during a Yankees game.

This year is the first in which the Yankees’ six U.S.-based affiliates will each hold their own HOPE Weeks, truly making this initiative one that the entire organization stands behind in words and in action.

HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has—no matter their background or financial situation—is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, along with Manager Joe Girardi, General Manager Brian Cashman, our minor league affiliates and front office staff, we are sending the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place. Equally significant during HOPE Week is gaining publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.

Earlier this year, the Yankees first recognized the return of HOPE Week with a pregame ceremony on March 23 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, prior to their spring training game against the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees were proud to jointly host this ceremony with the Twins, who have embraced the HOPE Week concept by holding their own HOPE Week in each of the last two seasons.

At the conclusion of HOPE Week 2010 and HOPE Week 2011, the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family were honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, given “in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.” The awards were bestowed by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Yankees were also twice honored during the recent offseason, receiving the DMF Champion of HOPE Award from Daniel’s Music Foundation on November 8, 2011, and the “Just Cause” Award at the PromaxBDA Sports Media Marketing Summit on November 15, 2011.

Timing and location of events, credentialing procedures, and guidelines for media will be disseminated via e-mail at least two days prior to each event.

Please visit the official website (www.hopeweek.com) and our Facebook page (New York Yankees HOPE Week) for more information.