Clemente Day
Roberto Clemente Day

In honor of Major League Baseball's 2021 Roberto Clemente Day, Pirates Charities honored the life and community service legacy of Roberto Clemente through contributions to the community by completing two service projects. Pirates front office staff completed a field renovation at Brashear High School to upgrade the infield, rebuild the pitching mounds, paint the dugouts and more. Front office staff also partnered with the Mission Continues Hazelwood Platoon to help refresh the involveMINT Food Recylcing Center as well as assist in the building of a supply shed donated by Pirates Charities. In addition to the community efforts, Pirates players and coaches wore #21 on the field to honor "The Great One." The jerseys were then put up for auction with all proceeds going to benefit the Clemente Foundation and Pirates Charities.

Community Commitment Program

The Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) is an organization-wide initiative for Pirates players that promotes community service and awareness, and provides benefits to the community, the individual player and the Pirates organization. The PCCP encourages players throughout the Pirates system to emulate Roberto Clemente's legacy of community service.

More than 33,100 hours of community service have been performed by Pirates players throughout the organization since the program was implemented in 2008. Each player has completed a minimum of 10 hours of community service in their respective affiliate's community during the season.

Near the conclusion of each Minor League team's regular season, each club selects one player from their organization to receive the "Pirates Community Commitment Award." Honorees then travel to Pittsburgh, where they are recognized in a special pregame, on-field ceremony held at PNC Park on Clemente Day. The PCCP award recipients are quality individuals on and off the field, who have completed countless hours of community service and demonstrated leadership of community involvement among teammates.

The 12th annual PCCP award winners (2019) are:

  • Hunter Owen, Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
  • Bligh Madris, Altoona Curve (AA)
  • Joe Jacques, Bradenton Marauders (High-A)
  • Will Gardner, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low-A)
  • Jesus Valles, West Virginia Black Bears (Short Season-A)
  • Santiago Florez, Bristol Pirates (Rookie League)
  • Tilsaimy Melfor, Gulf Coast League Pirates (Rookie League)
  • Valentin Linares and Randy Romero, Dominican Summer League Pirates
Make-A-Wish Foundation Scholarship

On Friday, July 23, Pirates Charities hosted the 2021 Make-a-Wish scholars for the 24th Annual Kurt R. Weiss Scholarship reception. Forty-eight scholars and their families were part of this year's program where Pirates Charities and Make-A-Wish came together to celebrate their academic achievements and provide the scholars with funding to continue their education, including an $8,000 contribution from Pirates Charities.

Miracle League Fantasy Camps
Bob Nutting at Pittsburgh Pirates Miracle League Fantasy Camp

The purpose of the Miracle League Fantasy Camps is to provide children and adults with special needs the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball, while providing a similar experience to Major League Baseball camps and clinics. This season, children and adults attended Miracle League Fantasy Camps in Altoona-PA, Pittsburgh -PA, and Morgantown-WV. A Fantasy Camp was also held at the Miracle League of Manasota, which serves the residents of Manatee and Sarasota Counties near the Pirates Spring Training home of Bradenton, FL.

At these camps, both children and adults take part in five activity stations, led by Pirates celebrities, that teach hitting, throwing, baserunning and catching skills. Each child and adult also receives a personalized Pirates jersey and is treated to a delicious lunch.

The events are sponsored by Pirates Charities and Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids. Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids is an organization, founded by Denver resident Jeremy Flug, which provides funding for Miracle League Fantasy Camps for kids throughout the United States. This is the tenth year that Pirates Charities has worked with Mr. Flug. Pirates Charities would like to thank Jeremy Flug, Joe Knetzer and the whole Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids organization for their tremendous dedication to improving the lives of children and adults with special needs.

For more information on the Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids organization, please visit www.baseballfantasycampforkids.com.

Pitch for Hope Women's Baseball Clinic

The Pirates hosted their eighth annual Pitch for Hope Women's Baseball Clinic on Sunday, September 8, 2019. Women ages 14 and older learned hitting, pitching, fielding and more from the Pirates coaching staff during this unique on-field event. After the clinic, participants and their guests enjoyed a private brunch in the Picnic Park hospitality space of PNC Park.

Proceeds benefit A Glimmer of Hope Foundation. "The Symbol of the Cure" is widely recognized in the Pittsburgh Area. For more than 20 years, the foundation has been dedicated to raising funds to further breast cancer research and purchasing innovative imaging equipment.