ROBERTO CLEMENTE DAY
Roberto Clemente Day was established by Major League Baseball to honor the life and legacy of Pirates great, Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Each year, teams across the league honor his memory by giving back to their communities.
CLEMENTE DAY OF SERVICE
To honor the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente, the Pittsburgh Pirates front office staff, players and coaches volunteered throughout the city of Pittsburgh for the Pirates annual Clemente Day of Service presented by FedEx.
Pirates volunteers were joined by staff from FedEx to renovate two fields in support of the hundreds of 9th Ward RBI athletes that call John McGrane Memorial Field home. Pirates President, Travis Williams, helped with the field renovation projects before heading over to the North Shore for a drive-through food distribution in partnership with Veterans Leadership Program. Here, volunteers assembled bags of produce and non-perishable foods that were given to over 250 veterans and their families.
Meanwhile, volunteers stopped by the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh to decorate guests' doors, host an activity with the families they serve, and provide guests and staff with lunch, courtesy of Giant Eagle.
Volunteers were hard at work at the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh reorganizing and replenishing the food pantry and donation center, preparing meals for residents, and even provided lunch and baked goods for the staff and volunteers who support WCS residents and clients.
To celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, volunteers from Sheetz joined the Pirates at the Latino Community Center. There, volunteers restocked the center's food pantry, set up new toys and games in the early childhood and teen rooms, and built snack packs for any of their kids facing food insecurity.
At PNC Park, volunteers put together 500 care packages of food that will be sent to troops overseas through Operation Troop Appreciation's Active-Duty Program. In collaboration with Zip With Us, a nonprofit working to improve the treatment experience for cancer patients, volunteers also made bracelets that will be donated to local cancer patients.
Throughout the day, over 150 Pirates Front Office volunteers and 35 active players and coaches and their families took part in this day of service, giving back to the Pittsburgh community.