BOSTON, MA - As part of a league-wide initiative between Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, the Boston Red Sox will host a baseball and softball equipment collection during the upcoming Red Sox-White Sox series at Fenway Park, presented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103, and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) of Greater Boston.
From Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 10, fans are invited to drop off new and used baseball and softball equipment outside all Fenway Park gates. Every fan who donates equipment will have the opportunity to win autographed memorabilia and other valuable prizes.
This year, IBEW Local 103 will help extend the equipment collection drive through the following week, June 11 to June 15, during regular business hours at their hall in Dorchester, MA, located at 256 Freeport Street. The National Electrical Contractors Association will also accept equipment donations on those dates during business hours at their office in Newton, MA, located at 106 River Street.
The equipment will benefit the Kids Gear for Baseball organization, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that distributes equipment to children in need. The organization has donated to more than 30 youth organizations, shelters, and missions over the last eight years.
In conjunction with the equipment drive, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will award a grant of $5,000 to Kids Gear for Baseball for the purchase of new equipment. In recognition of the grant, Cathy Bradley, Executive Director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, will present a ceremonial check to the Kids Gear for Baseball organization during a pre-game ceremony on Saturday, June 23.
This marks the 14th season the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has teamed with Major League Baseball Clubs to hold an equipment collection. To date, the initiative has provided thousands of pieces of new and used equipment and $1.7 million in total monetary donations to more than 200 organizations in need.