Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Pirates and Pirates Charities have partnered with local community groups to help meet the needs of countless underserved families in the greater Pittsburgh area. Pirates Charities announced today the organization will once again team up with Pirates players, coaches and front office staff to make a positive impact with the “Pirates Charities Friendsgiving” holiday gift campaign.   Taking place throughout the month of November, the campaign will raise needed funds to benefit four local non-profit organizations and their efforts to support local families and individuals this holiday season by assisting with the purchase of toys, clothes and winter outerwear.  

Fans are encouraged to join the efforts by visiting Pirates.com/Friendsgiving. Pirates Charities has pledged a minimum $50,000 in total matching donations to help incentivize donations and jump-start the campaign. 

“This holiday season, we will use our time to continue to find opportunities with our players and coaches to give back to our nonprofit friends and the Pittsburgh community,” said Pirates President Travis Williams. “While we may not be able to host in-person events, we wanted to have our own take on Friendsgiving and raise funds to help those in need throughout the area. The Friendsgiving campaign is an extension of our season-long Family Forever initiative, one that made a significant impact in our community during a time of such uncertainty.”  

Friends of the Pirates that will benefit from the campaign include:

- Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania

o The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania works to help wherever there is a need in western Pennsylvania through social services that range from providing food for the hungry, temporary housing, holiday assistance and more.

- Urban Impact

o Urban Impact is a North Side nonprofit whose vision is to see lives holistically transformed in our community one person, one family, and one block at a time by investing in the lives of at-risk children, youth, and their families through programs in Athletics, Performing Arts, Education, and Options (high school mentoring).

- Allegheny County Department of Human Services

o The donation will support the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Holiday Project initiative. The campaign provides meaningful holiday gifts to children in families receiving DHS services related to child mistreatment and homelessness.

**- Light of Life **

o Light of Life is a place where hope and healing meet for men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, poverty or addiction. 

All donations raised throughout November will be distributed the first week of December to allow time for the purchase of needed items that will allow for a happy holiday season for as many families as possible. 

Media requesting additional information can contact Terry Rodgers, Pirates Director of Business Communications, at (412) 325-4782 or [email protected].