The torch at the Winter Olympics has been extinguished, and now that it’s pushing 40 degrees here in Minnesota, we can turn our thoughts to spring training and the anticipated arrival of another baseball season.
With spring in the air, I thought I’d highlight the work of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, an MCF member.
Founded in 1991, the fund is guided by its mission to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins.
Giving highlights include:
- In 2009, the Fields for Kids program granted $300,000 in matching funds to build and renovate 53 Upper Midwest ball fields. The deadline for the 2010 program is March 12.
- In the summer of 2010, the Twins celebrate 50 years of the Twins Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinic program. To celebrate, the Twins Community Fund will host free youth clinics in 50 Upper Midwest communities. The clinics teach fundamental baseball and softball skills while promoting positive messages about staying in school and away from drugs and alcohol. Communities can submit an application now to host a clinic between April and August. Last summer, the program visited 35 Upper Midwest and nine Southwest Florida communities, providing free instruction to 7,000 young people.
- Grants totaling $120,000 were made to the Minneapolis and St. Paul Park and Recreation departments to operate Twins Rookie League and R.B.I. (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) youth baseball and softball leagues. More than 6,000 kids participated in 2009.
- Last year, the Twins donated $13,000 to support regional tournaments for seven youth baseball and softball organizations. The Twins also granted $20,000 to 20 traveling youth baseball and softball teams to assist with operating expenses. The fund also provides economically disadvantaged youth with scholarships enabling them to attend baseball/softball instructional camps. Upcoming grant deadline is March 12, 2010.
- The Twins Wives Organization directed $50,000 in grants to various organizations, including the Southside Life Care Center, Sharing and Caring Hands, the Salvation Army, People Serving People, Camp Erin, the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, Gillette Children’s Hospital, the Epilepsy Foundation, the Drew Gilbert Medical Fund, Cystic Fibrosis – Minnesota Chapter, the Courage Center, and Cheerful Givers.
- Through the Diamonds and Dreams Academic Scholarship Program, 20 Upper Midwest high school seniors each received $2,000 in scholarship support for post secondary education.
The Minnesota Twins Community Fund recently announced it will distribute approximately $1 million through its 2010 grant and community support programs.
Additional Twins in the Community initiatives include: donations of memorabilia to help nonprofits raise funds; hundreds of community appearances by the mascot, players and staff; TwinsFest 2010, the largest fundraiser for the Twins Community Fund; Minnesota Twins Holiday “Week of Giving”; Playball! Minnesota Youth Baseball and Softball Conference; several recognition awards, including the Carl R. Pohlad Award, Kirby Puckett Award, and the Play Ball! Minnesota Terry Ryan Award; and a ticket donation program for economically disadvantaged families and youth.
- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate
