Yanks affiliates to take part in HOPE Week

The Yankees announced on Tuesday that five farm affiliates will participate in HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) for the first time, with each club hosting community events this season.

Following a model established in 2009, the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, Double-A Trenton Thunder, Class A Advanced Tampa Yankees, Class A Charleston RiverDogs and Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees will reach out to individuals, families and organizations worthy of recognition and support, recognizing honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments.

"As an organization, we have seen firsthand the positive impact HOPE Week has made in our community," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We've found that giving back is contagious. One of the goals of the initiative has been to inspire others to follow in our footsteps, and I'm proud that our affiliates are expanding this tradition by joining our efforts."

The Tampa Yankees will be the first club to host HOPE Week in 2012, as they highlight five stories from June 4-8.