Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz has partnered with Pirates Charities to launch his “Shoes for Venezuela” campaign, a shoe drive held throughout PNC Park to benefit youth of Diaz’s home country of Venezuela. Starting on Thursday, May 30, and lasting through Wednesday, June 19, fans are encouraged to bring new shoes to the donation bins placed at one of the six Pirates Charites 50/50 Raffle kiosks around the ballpark.
All shoes collected through the “Shoes for Venezuela” campaign will be distributed through the Elias Diaz Foundation to underprivileged children in Venezuela.
As a special thank you, all fans who donate a pair of new shoes during the drive will receive an exclusive invite and access to an Elias Diaz “meet and greet” on Thursday, June 20 at the Wexford New Balance store.
On that date, fans who are not able to donate at PNC Park should bring their shoe donations to the store. Diaz will be in attendance for this final collection event and there will be a special “meet and greet” for all attendees.
The “Shoes for Venezuela” is a cause near and dear to Diaz’s heart. In 2018, Diaz collected shoes in Pittsburgh for children in Venezuela and during the offseason he hand delivered these shoes during an event in Maracaibo.
Media needing additional information should contact Terry Rodgers, Pirates Manager of Business Communications, at (412) 325-4782 or Terry.Rodgers@pirates.com.