The New York Yankees are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) in 2019, announcing the return of the community event for the 11th consecutive season. The award-winning initiative is a unique week-long community program that brings to light remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities. HOPE Week 2019 will take place in New York from Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21.

In honor of the event’s 10th anniversary, all past honorees will be invited to a reunion at Yankee Stadium on June 17. Over each of the following four days, the Yankees will reach out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support, surprising honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments. Outreach will often take place away from Yankee Stadium, allowing the Yankees to personally connect with individuals in settings that highlight their greatest successes.

This year’s event will mark the eighth year that all of the organization’s U.S.-based Minor League affiliates will hold their own HOPE Weeks, allowing the initiative to reach five additional cities and touch more than two dozen additional individuals and groups.

HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. Fans can learn more about the initiative and nominate inspirational individuals for HOPE Week recognition by visiting the official website at hopeweek.com.

PREGAME CEREMONIES ON FRIDAY, MARCH 8, AT STEINBRENNER FIELD TO HONOR GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE TAMPA

For the ninth straight year, the Yankees will recognize an individual or organization from the Tampa area during Spring Training.

The Yankees will kick off this year’s announcement of HOPE Week with a pregame ceremony on Friday night at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa prior to the Yankees’ 6:35 p.m. game vs. the Detroit Tigers.

In the spirit of the initiative, this year’s honoree is GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, a non-profit organization available to serve the nearly 3,400 individuals of all ages living with Down syndrome living in Florida’s Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Opened in August 2018, the center offers programs specifically tailored to the learning styles of those with Down syndrome, taught by volunteers in the education and therapeutic fields. These programs are free-of-cost to the families being served.

The nationwide GiGi’s Playhouse organization strives to foster a community atmosphere for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, providing those involved with the chance to grow their knowledge and skills in a safe and anxiety-free environment.

To get involved with GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa or for more information, please visit gigisplayhouse.org/tampa or call 813-544-8000.

MORE ABOUT HOPE WEEK (Please also visit hopeweek.com)

At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter their background or financial situation — is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, General Manager Brian Cashman and front office staff during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees send the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.

Equally significant during HOPE Week is garnering publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.

At the conclusion of the last nine HOPE Weeks, the Yankees organization has been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, given “in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.” The awards were bestowed by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Yankees have additionally been honored with the “Just Cause” Award at the PromaxBDA Sports Media Marketing Summit on November 15, 2011, and the “DMF Champion of HOPE” Award from Daniel’s Music Foundation on November 8, 2011. HOPE Week was also recognized by the National Sportsmanship Awards in 2010.

The Yankees encourage all their fans to get involved … Give HOPE!