2015 COMMUNITY REPORT

P I T T S B U RG H
P I R AT E S

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Pirates Charities Supporter:
I love the way the Pittsburgh Pirates and the game of baseball can bring
a community together. Its about being a part of something much bigger
than our team on the field. Its about being an integral part of the greater
Pittsburgh community for nearly 130 years.
This sense of pride and opportunity motivates us every day at the Pirates
and Pirates Charities to make an even greater impact on the lives of others
throughout our region. This report recaps the highlights of those efforts
in 2015.
As you will read, in addition to the thousands of worthy community
organizations we worked closely with to support, we continued in our
focused efforts to assist military personnel and their families, help those
who have been affected by cancer, and improve the lives of youth through
health, fitness and education initiatives.
These efforts simply would not be possible without the support of the Pirates
front office staff, our coaches, players, corporate partners, community leaders,
season ticket members, friends and fans. We should all be proud that together
we were able to make a meaningful and lasting impact in our community.
On behalf of everyone at the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pirates Charities,
thank you for your continued support.
Lets Go Bucs!

Robert Nutting
Chairman of the Board
Pittsburgh Pirates & Pirates Charities
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

P I R AT E S C H A R I T I E S

6-17

18-19
20-21
22-25

Mission Statement
Improving the Lives of Youth
Cancer Efforts
Military Support
Fundraising Activities

YOUTH BASEBALL

26-29
30-31

Programming
Play Ball

COMMUNITY OU TREACH

32-47
48-53
54-55

56
57

58-61
62-63

64

Our team in the Community

Events
MLB and The Pirates
Spring Training
Latin America
Pirates Partners
Sustainability Initiatives
Contact Information

P I R AT E S C H A R I T I E S
Pirates Charities is committed to strengthening the community by supporting organizations and
programs aimed at improving the lives of children and adults in the greater Pittsburgh region.
Pirates Charities places a special emphasis on supporting youth programs focused on health, fitness
and education by developing partnerships with those who share in our mission.
In addition to helping our youth, Pirates Charities provides assistance to military families and
veterans, and offers support to those in our community who are fighting cancer. Thanks to the
generosity of Pirates fans, our corporate sponsors and all our community partners, Pirates Charities
is proud to fulfill this mission throughout the Pirates season and all year long!

Pirates Charities is a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The official registration

and financial information of Pirates Charities may be obtained from the Pennsylvania
Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration
does not imply endorsement.

MIRACLE LEAGUE
The Miracle League gives every child the
chance to play baseball, and hundreds of kids
in the region saw that chance become reality
at the 2015 Grand Opening of the Miracle
League of Indiana County. This is the sixth
Miracle League Grand Opening that was made
possible with the help of Pirates Charities!
The Miracle League of the South Hills also
debuted an inclusive playground next to their
field thanks in part to a contribution from
Pirates Charities.
The Miracle League program will continue to
expand in 2016, as Pirates Charities pledged
to support the construction of a new field in
DuBois, PA!

MIRACLE LEAGUE
PROGRAMS SUPPORTED
Cr a nb e r r y Towns hip, PA; S outh Hil ls ,
PA; M ur r y s vil le, PA; Ind ia na Count y, PA;
Bla ir Count y, PA; M or ga ntown, WV;
W he e ling, WV; M a na s ota , F L
6

FIELDS FOR KIDS

Through Fields for Kids, Pirates Charities
provides matching grants to youth
baseball and softball organizations making
improvements to their fields. Over 200
grants have been awarded in the programs
six years.
Pirates Charities also awards matching
grants in the Pirates Spring Training home
of Bradenton, FL a total of 31 youth
sports organizations and recreation centers
have received Fields for Kids grants to date.

1.1

MORE THAN

$
8

MILLION
IN GRANTS SINCE 2009

G R A N T D I S T R I B U T I O N B Y S TAT E

44

INDIVIDUAL
O R G A N I Z AT I O N S
RECEIVED GRANTS
IN 2015

MONONGALIA
MARION
PRESTON

DODDRIDGE

HARRISON

TAYLOR

BARBOUR

TUCKER

GRANT

ALLEGHENY
COUNTY

LEWIS
GILMER
CALHOUN

ROANE

UPSHUR

RANDOLPH

BRAXTON

CLAY

MAKE-A-WISH
Pirates Charities helped four special
Make-A-Wish kids meet their idol, Andrew
McCutchen, in 2015. Cutch kicked things off
in Spring Training with Owen and Blaise who
both got to attend Pirates games at beautiful
McKechnie Field and spend the day with
Andrew. Later in May, Sean had the experience
of a lifetime as a part of ESPNs My Wish
series, highlighted by a seat next to Cutch on
the field, playing video games on the big screen
at PNC Park. And in August, Cameron came to
PNC Park in style in a helicopter compliments
of Allegheny Health Network that landed right
in the outfield where he was greeted by the
All-Star Center Fielder.

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FORMER WISH KIDS

re c e ive d Kur t We is s S c hola r s hips
d ur ing a re c e ption a t P NC Pa rk
to pur s ue highe r e d uc a tion
10

11

C L E M E N T E D AY
Each year, Pirates Charities honors the life and community
service legacy of Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente in
conjunction with MLBs Annual Clemente Day Celebration.
On September 16, in partnership with Pittsburgh Public
Schools and the Pittsburgh Promise, the Clemente family,
Pirates minor league players who were being honored in
Pittsburgh for their community service efforts, Pirates
President Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington, and
the Pirate Parrot visited Pittsburgh Arsenal Elementary
School to provide a school assembly and deliver $40,000
worth of needed school supplies. Among the items
distributed were new computers, smart boards, board games,
building sets, and a backpack full of Pirates goodies for
each student! A healthy, nutritious lunch was provided to
everyone by Pirates partner Chick-fil-A.
This spirit of giving began during Spring Training with
the Adopt-a-School program in Bradenton and Manatee
County, FL where Pirates Charities worked with the
Mosaic Company and the Manatee Education Foundation
to distribute $30,000 in books and supplies to Wakeland,
Manatee, Sea Breeze and Rogers Garden Elementary
Schools.

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T H E P I R AT E S CO M M U N I T Y
COMMITMENT PROGRAM
The Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) is an
organization-wide community service program for Pirates Minor
League Players that promotes community service and awareness,
and provides benefit to the community, the individual player and
the Pirates organization. Every minor league player is required to
complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service during their
playing season.
Near the conclusion of each teams regular season, each of the Pirates
minor league teams selects one player from its organization to receive
the Pirates Community Commitment Award. Honorees travel to
Pittsburgh, where they are recognized in a special pregame, on-field
ceremony held on Clemente Day.

THIS SEASONS PCCP

AWA R D W I N N E R S W E R E :
Yon d r y Con trer as Dom i n i c an S um m er L eague
S a m Ke nn el l y G ulf C oas t L eague P i r ates
Tr ae A r b e t B r i s tol P i r ates
E r ik Fo r gi on e Wes t V i r gi n i a B lac k B ear s
Ty l e r F il l i ben Wes t V i r gi n i a Power
Fr a n k D u nc an B r aden ton M ar auder s
J oh n Ku c h n o A ltoon a C ur ve
J o s h B e l l I n di an ap oli s I n di an s

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FA N TA S Y B A S E B A L L
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington and his wife,
Becca, support the Pirates Charities Fantasy Baseball Math
program, a learning tool that uses baseball statistics to teach
kids important math skills. Kids participated at 18 different
schools, non-profits and after-school programs.

2 0 1 5 FA N TA S Y B A S E B A L L M AT H
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS:
Alber t Gal lati n No r t h Mi dd l e S c hool
Boy s and Gir ls Clubs of We st e r n PA
Connel lsvi l le Juni or Hi g h
G ate way S c ho o l Di st r i ct
Imani Chr i sti an Ac ade my
K iski Area Up p er El e me n t a r y
Mo shannon Val le y Jr. S r. Hi g h S c hool
PALS Enr ic hm ent Prog r a m
P ine Ric hland Midd l e S c hool
P it tsbur g h L angle y 2 1 st C e n t u r y A f t e r
S c ho o l Ac adem y
P it tsbur g h West Libe r t y K - 5
S enec a Val le y S c hool D i st r i ct
SESI S c ho o ls, Clay t on Ac ade my
S h aler Area Elem en t a r y S c hool
S h er r ard Midd le S c hool
Ur ban Pathway s K- 5 C ol l e ge C ha r t e r S c hool
West Mifflin Area S c hool D i st r i ct
W inc hester Thur ston S c hool

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GRAND SLAM
SCIENCE
Pirates Charities and Chevron partnered with the Carnegie
Science Center to teach kids about physics, physiology,
materials science and math using Americas pastime
baseball! Grand Slam Science debuted in 2015 as a part
of the Carnegie Science Centers Science on the Road
program, which brings interactive science demonstrations
to schools as assembly programs and hands-on science
adventure stations. Grand Slam Science features Pirates
players, the Pirate Parrot and even some Pirates front office
staff members to show kids how baseball uses science and
math every day!

16,584
K I D S S AW G R A N D S L A M S C I E N C E

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VIP PARTIES
The Pittsburgh Pirates donated one of PNC Parks Luxury Suites to Pirates
Charities to host non-profit organizations, deserving families and special guests
during the season. Levy Restaurants served everyone a special ballpark menu,
and all guests received a complimentary Pirates Rally Towel!
Every month during the season, the Pirates Charities Suite was home to a
Very Important Pirate ( VIP) Party. Pirates and Pirates Charities Chairman
Bob Nutting hosted deserving individuals from local nonprofit organizations,
treating kids and families to a private meet-and-greet with Pirates players, a
Pirates replica jersey and goodie bag for each guest, and a pre-game on-field
recognition ceremony. Levy Restaurants, through their Levy Cares initiative,
partner with Pirates Charities on the VIP Party program and provide a
delicious ballpark menu for everyone to enjoy.

2 0 1 5 P I R AT E S C H A R I T I E S S U I T E
GUESTS INCLUDED:
Al l e gheny G en er al H os p i tal B reas t C are C en ter
Al e xi s J oy Foun dati on
Au tis m C on n ecti on of Pen n s y l van i a
Au tis m S p eak s
B ig B rother s , B i g S i s ter s of G reater P i tts bur gh
B u tt er fl y B an di ts
Ca r negi e Li br ar y of P i tts bur gh
Ca tholi c Youth A s s oci ati on
Co ac hi n g B oy s i n to M en
Fa n t as y B as ebal l M ath Wor ld S er i es W i n n er s
G l im m er of H op e

2015 VIPS:
B e ve r l y s B ir th d ay s
T h e Ch il d re ns In s titu te,
T h e Day S c h o o l
Fa m il ie s im pac te d by c a nc e r
H ig h m a rk Ca r in g P l ac e
M ir ac l e L e a g u e o f th e Oh io Va l l e y
Ur b a n Im pac t Fo u n d a tion

H a b i tat f or H um an i t y
Im an i C hr i s ti an Ac adem y
J ac ki e Robi n s on E s s ay C on tes t W i n n er s
J a m i e s D ream Team
M a ke- A -W i s h Foun dati on
M c G ui re M em or i al
M LB M other s Day H on or ar y B at G i r l
O u r C lubhous e
Pa r al y z ed Veter an s of Am er i c a
S o u t her n A l leghen i es M us eum of A r t
We sle y S p ectr um
We ster n PA S c hool f or the Deaf

16

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA SENSORY CONCERT
In June, Pirates Charities worked with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to
support Celebrate Pittsburgh, the first PSO sensory-friendly concert, designed
to create a comforting and welcoming environment so that people with autism,
sensory sensitivities and other disabilities could enjoy the symphony. Pirates
Charities also provided soft baseball-themed fidgets for all kids in attendance
to contribute to the sensory-friendly experience.

TICKETS FOR KIDS

CHARITIES SUPPORT
Pirates Charities supports Tickets for Kids Charities mission to provide unique
activities and events for low-income and at-risk kids. In addition to an annual
financial contribution from Pirates Charities, Pirates Season Ticket Members
donate over 8,400 tickets to provide a special day at the ballpark for kids in need.
Tickets for Kids helped Pirates Charities identify over 200 students to receive
free vision and dental screenings at PNC Park on July 29. In addition to their
check-ups, the kids received a goodie bag and a meal. Partners in this initiative
included Highmark, Vision Works and United Concordia Dental.

17

PITCH FOR HOPE

The fourth annual Pitch for Hope Womens Baseball Clinic was
held on Sunday, June 14, and over 200 women took the field at
PNC Park to learn baseball tips from Pirates players and coaches.
Following the clinic, the ladies enjoyed brunch at PNC Parks
Smorgasburgh and watched the Pirates take on the Phillies. Pirates
Charities contributed $17,500 to Glimmer of Hope thanks to this
event, to support breast cancer research and treatment.

18

S TA N D U P T O C A N C E R
The Pirates invited fans to Stand Up 2 Cancer on
August 21 with a night of fundraising and awareness for
cancer research. During the game, fans held up SU2C
cheer cards donated by Trib Total Media to honor loved
ones affected by cancer. Thanks to this effort, more than
$30,000 was raised and donated to SU2C.

30,000

OVER

CONTRIBUTED

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M I L I TA R Y T H U R S D AY S
In 2015, the Pittsburgh Pirates dedicated Thursday home games to honoring
our United States Military. Each Thursday, the Pirates honored a non-profit
organization supporting military members, veterans and their families. Veterans
and service members were recognized on the field prior to the game, and
watched the game from the Pirates Charities Luxury Suite at PNC Park. The
honoree non-profit also received the proceeds from that days Pirates Charities
50/50 Raffle, presented by Rivers Casino.

2 0 1 5 M I L I TA R Y T H U R S D AY H O N O R E E S :
Homefront Hop e Fou n da t i on
It s Abo ut The Wa rr i or Fou n da t i on
Op er ati on S t ron g Ve t
Op er ati on Troop Ap p re ci a t i on
P ittsbur g h F i she r Hou se
The Mi ssi on C on t i n u e s
Veter ans L e ade rshi p Prog r a m of We st e r n PA
Wo unded Wa rr i or Proj e ct

20

SPRING TRAINING
SALUTE
The Pirates honored our military during Spring Training at
McKechnie Field during the Salute to Veterans game. Veterans
from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and Its About
the Warrior Foundation were treated to a pre-game picnic, an
exclusive batting practice experience, t-shirts and great seats to
watch the game.

S TA N D D O W N
A S S I S TA N C E
Stand Down is an annual homeless veterans service fair held by
Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA. Pirates Charities
supported this event with a pre-game donation drive on Federal
Street, and provided additional needed items such as blankets,
hats, gloves, scarves, and towels to benefit veterans in need.

21

ROOT SPORTS AUCTION

The Eighth Annual ROOT Sports Auction took place during ROOT
Sports live broadcast of the August 4 Pirates vs. Cubs game at PNC
Park. Fans supported the Pirates Charities fundraiser by purchasing
VIP and VIP-PLUS bags containing Pirates memorabilia, tickets, and
baseballs autographed by Pirates players and alums. Each VIP-PLUS
bag also contained a Pirates jersey autographed by a favorite player.
Players wives joined in by taking orders over the phone throughout
the evening.
Pirates Charities raised additional funds during the broadcast by
offering spots in the Pirates Team Ice Bucket Challenge. Eighteen
lucky fans donated to win the opportunity to have a Pirates player
dump a bucket of ice water over their heads to raise even more
awareness for the cause.
Thanks to the success of the auction, funding was contributed to
Pirates Charities and organizations providing support, comfort,
treatment and research toward a cure for those living with ALS
(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease.
Three organizations each received a contribution of $87,500:
ALS CERTIFIED CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE, ALLEGHENY
H E A LT H N E T W O R K
Established in 2003 at Allegheny General Hospital, the AHN ALS
Center provides diagnostic and multidisciplinary treatment and care
for patients diagnosed with ALS. The Centers mission is to define,
establish and support a national standard of care in the management
of ALS. It encourages and provides state-of-the-art care and clinical
management of ALS.
22

A L S A S S O C I AT I O N ,
W E S T E R N P E N N S Y LVA N I A C H A P T E R
The loc al c hapter of the ALS Association was f ounded in 1982
with a mission to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through
researc h and advoc ac y while also empower ing people with
L ou Gehr ig s Disease and their families to live ful ler lives by
pro viding them with compassionate c are and suppor t.
LIVELIKELOU.ORG
LiveLikeLou was started by Neil and Suzanne Alexander shortly
following his diagnosis with ALS in June 2011. He and Suzanne
created LiveLikeLou.org, named for Lou Gehrig, to honor the
example he set for all people living with ALS. The foundations
mission is to raise public awareness about ALS, to help finance critical
medical research and to provide urgently-needed support for victims
and their families in Western Pennsylvania. Sadly, Neil passed away
on March 24, 2015. Suzanne and their children Abby and Patrick
continue LiveLikeLou.org in his memory.

23

5K HOMERUN
More than 5,000 runners, walkers and fans of all ages and abilities
participated in the fifth annual Pittsburgh Pirates 5K Home Run
on Saturday, April 18. Runners and One Mile Family Fun Run
participants crossed the finish line on the field at PNC Park, and
enjoyed a post-race party with delicious food and beverages.

5,000
R U N N E R S A N D WA L K E R S

50/50 RAFFLES
Pirates fans were able to contribute to Pirates Charities while trying
their luck by participating in the Pirates Charities 50/50 Raffles,
supported by Rivers Casino, at all Pirates home games. Tickets were
available from 50/50 kiosks and roaming ticket sellers, and one lucky
fan took home 50% of the total pot after each game.
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25

YOUTH BASEBALL

The Pirates support youth baseball in our region by providing opportunities to learn and play baseball
and softball. The Pirates also strive to provide resources to those who share the love of the game through
educational programming, donated equipment and by providing a forum to help youth baseball and softball
grow in our community.

26

27

RBI
Pittsburgh RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) provides baseball
and softball programming to over 1,000 boys and girls ages 6-18
through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA. The RBI mission
is to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball
among underserved youth through instruction and competitive play,
while encouraging youth to achieve academically, demonstrate good
sportsmanship and contribute positively to the community.
In addition to providing full financial support to the RBI program,
Pirates Charities donated equipment, hosted coaches clinics led
by Pirates alumni and softball clinics led by Pirates ball girls, and
provided scholarships to youth participating in local tournaments and
clinics. The Pirates also hosted a Baseball Tomorrow Fund equipment
drive to support the program. Two local teams participated in the 2015
RBI Regional Tournament in Prince Georges County, Maryland, and
visited a nearby college on the way.
Pirates Charities and the Bradenton Marauders partner to support
the Bradenton RBI program, through donated equipment, uniforms,
promotional items and transportation to the RBI Regional
Tournament. The Marauders players assist RBI coaches during the
season and oftentimes, Bradenton RBI teams enjoy using the Pirate
City fields for games and practices. Pirate City also hosts an annual
holiday party for RBI participants.
The Bradenton RBI Junior Boys Team advanced to the RBI World
Series that was held in Texas this year. They finished the series with
a record of 1-3 in games against Arizona RBI, Detroit PAL RBI,
Dominican Republic North RBI and Houston Astros RBI.
2015 PITTSBURGH RBI COMMUNITIES:
Br addo c k

D u q u e sn e

Home wood

M t. O l ive r

S h ad y s id e

Ca r negi e

Hil l D i st r i ct

McK e e sp or t

No r th V ie w
H e ig h ts

W il kin s b u r g

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J U N I O R P I R AT E S
Junior Pirates is supported through a partnership between Pirates
Charities and the City of Pittsburghs BIG League Sports Program.
Through this effort, kids ages 4-8 are introduced to baseball
fundamentals in 20 different communities. Pirates Charities provided
caps, t-shirts and banners to all participants.

COACHING BOYS
INTO MEN
Through the FISA Foundation, Pirates Charities has introduced the Coaching
Boys into Men (CBIM) program to selected Pittsburgh RBI communities. The
CBIM curriculum gives coaches the tools to discuss important issues with their
teams, including bullying, respect toward women, aggression and more. To assist
with the delivery of this program, Pirates Charities offered an introductory
session for coaches at PNC Park, with special guest speaker, Pirates Manager
Clint Hurdle and several members of his coaching staff.

YOUTH BASEBALL SUMMIT

Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting hosted the Pirates first ever Youth Baseball
Summit at PNC Park on June 12. More than 25 community leaders gathered to
begin to discuss and address the questionhow can we encourage and improve
participation in youth baseball and softball in our region? Players Andrew
McCutchen and Neil Walker stopped by to share their thoughts and help
coaches and facilitators in the Pittsburgh region think about how to keep young
people active and engaged with Americas Pastime.

BIG LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Young baseball and softball athletes took the field at PNC Park for the 2015
Mayors Cup championship games. Teams from across the region played on the
same field as their favorite players, and raised funds for Special Olympics by
collecting donations at the gates. The 2015 BIG League Champions were:
12U Softball - Brookline #2, 15U Softball - Swissvale, 18U Softball - Brighton
Heights, Little League - Carrick, Pony - Greenfield, Colt - Greenfield and
Super Colt - Brighton Heights.
29

P L AY B A L L
Boys and girls between the ages of five and 12
had the chance to play ball on the field at PNC
Park as a part of the Pirates Play Ball event for
youth. The Play Ball program is a collaborative
initiative between MLB and USA Baseball to
encourage widespread participation in all forms
of baseball activities. At the Pirates Play Ball
Event, kids participated in interactive baseball/
softball activities with Pirates alumni, front
office staff and mascots. Equipment was donated
by Dicks Sporting Goods with a healthy lunch
provided by Chick-fil-A.

200
K I D S PA R T I C I PAT E D

30

31

COMMUNIT Y OU TREACH

The Pirates strive to be visible in the greater Pittsburgh community and make an impact on those in need. Pirates
players, their wives, alums and front office executives and staff give their time and talents to reach out to diverse
communities in our region. The Pirates are pleased to help make Pittsburgh a great place to live and work.

32

33

ANDREW McCUTCHEN
Major League Baseball recognized the community outreach efforts of
Andrew McCutchen when he was named the 2015 National Roberto
Clemente Award Winner, an honor named for the legendary Pirates
outfielder for his positive contributions on and off the field, including
sportsmanship and community involvement. Andrew is just the second
Pirates player to receive this award after Willie Stargell was honored
as the winner in 1974.
McCutchen was selected thanks to his consistent focus on helping
the less fortunate and making a difference in the community. His
signature program with Pirates Charities, Cutchs Crew, raises funds
for local non-profit organizations through the efforts of his Pittsburgh
Marathon team. Funds are designated to local organizations, including
Light of Life Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Homeless
Childrens Education Fund and many others. When Cutch hears about
individuals and organizations in need, he goes out of his way to assist,
such as this past year when the City Mission in Washington, PA
suffered a devastating fire and Cutchs Crew made a donation that was
matched by Pirates Charities.
Throughout his career, Andrew has provided special experiences for
children with life-threatening illnesses through the Make-A-Wish
Foundation. In 2015, four different kids selected meeting Andrew as
their ultimate wish, and he made each dream come true in a special,
unique way.

34

35

CLINT HURDLE
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle and his wife, Karla, are strong
supporters of national and local charities helping kids and families.
Clint is the national spokesman for the Prader Willi Syndrome
Association (PWSA) and supports local families through Wins for
Kids, which raises money for The Childrens Institute of Pittsburghs
Prader Willi Syndrome Program. Clint and Karla also co-chaired The
Childrens Institutes Make an Amazing Difference Campaign Launch
event earlier this year to help raise even more funds for the amazing
kids helped by The Childrens Institute.
Clint is active in the Pittsburgh region, serving as a speaker and
chairman for multiple events and organizations throughout the year,
including Habitat for Humanity, Carson Middle School and Urban
Impact Foundation.

36

P I R AT E S B R OA D C A S T E R S
Our Pirates Broadcasting team spend time outside the booth helping
local nonprofits raise money and awareness. This year, Greg Brown
served as the Honorary Chair of the 2015 Walk to Cure Arthritis.
Steve Blass was Honorary Chair for the Heinz History Center Golf
Outing and Family Hospice and Palliative Cares We Are Family
event. Tim Neverett served as emcee for several events throughout
the year, including the Pirates Tales Summer Reading Program. John
Wehner was an active participant in the Pittsburgh RBI Winter
Coaches Clinics, providing tips to local little league coaches to help
them improve their teams. Bob Walk supported Pirates Charities by
participating in the charitys annual golf outing.

R AY S E A R A G E
Pirates Pitching Coach Ray Searage loaned his name and likeness
to a great cause, working with North Country Brewing to create
Uncle Ray Searages Bucco Blonde. All proceeds from this brew
benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
37

CHARLIE MORTON
Charlie Morton has long supported our U.S. Military and
veterans, through gifts of time and financial contributions.
He is a consistent supporter of Wounded Warrior Project
and Operation Troop Appreciation, and oftentimes welcomes
veterans and members of our armed services when they visit
PNC Park. In recognition of his outstanding service to our
military and veterans, Charlie was nominated for the 2015 Bob
Feller Act of Valor Award, which recognizes and honors those
who support our service men and women.

N E I L WA L K E R
Neil Walker is active in his home town and, once again, served
as co-chair of Pirates Charities annual golf outing, designating
a portion of the events proceeds to Animal Friends and pediatric
patients. Neil also supported other non-profit organizations in
the Pittsburgh region, meeting with youth from the Clint Seymour
Play Ball Fund, and even making a wish come true with the
Twilight Wish Foundation, which honors our oldest generations
by fulfilling their wishes.

38

JOSH HARRISON
Josh Harrison visited the Sto-Rox Boys and Girls Club this
season to meet with the kids and encourage them to study hard
in school. Harrison also helped facilitate the purchase of new
iPads for the Clubs technology lab to give the kids the tools
they need to succeed.
Josh also hosted an All-Star Dinner Fundraiser at Eddie
Merlots in Pittsburgh on August 30 to raise money for Blessings
in a Backpack.

FRANCISCO
CERVELLI
Francisco Cervelli shared his love for art and cooking with kids
at the Childrens Museum of Pittsburgh. In August, he led the
Cervelli Culinary Craft Camp at the museum for kids from
local YMCA summer programs. Kids had the opportunity to
learn cooking tips from the Pirates catcher, and then show off
their painting skills with a painting of the Pirate Parrot.

39

BOB NUTTING
Pirates and Pirates Charities Chairman Bob Nutting leads the
ballclubs charitable efforts and can often be seen out and about
in the Pittsburgh regional community, supporting local non-profit
events and sharing the mission of Pirates Charities with others. In
April, he was the keynote speaker at a Friends of Scouting breakfast
for the Boy Scouts of America. And in November, he accepted the
Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy
Day Award on behalf of Pirates Charities as Outstanding
Philanthropic Organization.

40

F R A N K C O O N E LLY &
NEAL HUNTINGTON
Pirates President Frank Coonelly and his wife Debbie, and General
Manager Neal Huntington and his wife Becca once again partnered
to present Red, White and Brew. This beer and wine pairing event
raised money for LiveLikeLou.org, an organization that provides
care and comfort to families in Western PA affected by Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and supports scientific research aimed at
finding a cure for this devastating disease. Frank and Neal both spend
time throughout the year showing their support at various community
and Pirates Charities events. Whether speaking at non-profit
fundraisers, serving on non-profit boards or otherwise supporting
charitable programs, Frank and Neal serve as an example for all the
members of the Pirates team and Front Office of the importance of
being active in our community.

41

11

C A R E - A - VA N

C A R E - A - VA N V I S I T E D

The 2014 Pirates CARE-a-van, presented by Highmark, visited 11

cities over three days to make a significant impact in surrounding
Pittsburgh communities. Pirates players, coaches and broadcasters
took part in more than 20 community events at area non-profits and
schools throughout Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

CITIES

72,000

I N W I N T E R COAT S , S C H O O L S U P P LI E S ,
H O L I D AY C H E E R A N D M O R E

20

COMMUNITY EVENTS
42

FAI T H NIGH T
On Thursday, August 20, Manager Clint Hurdle, members of the
Pirates team, coaching staff and their wives shared their faith with
fans after the conclusion of the Pirates game versus the Giants. All
fans were welcome to come into the stands near the Pirates dugout,
and players and coaches took turns speaking to the crowd and
answering questions about what their faith means to them. More
than 10,000 fans stayed for this annual postgame event.

43

P I R AT E S C H A R I T I E S
EVENTS
Each member of the Pirates team helps raise money for Pirates
Charities by participating in fundraising events throughout the year.
Whether by mingling with donors, shooting clays with sponsors or
spending the day on the golf course with some of their biggest fans,
the Pittsburgh Pirates team plays a huge role in making Pirates
Charities programs possible.
The first event of the year took place in the Pirates Spring Training
home of Bradenton, Florida, with the Spring Training Golf Classic
on March 1. Then, the 10th Annual Pirates Charities Golf Classic
took place on Monday, June 29 at the Club at Nevillewood, where
over 120 participants got to golf with some of their favorite Pirates
players, coaches, alumni and front office executives while supporting
Pirates Charities. The Pittsburgh golf outing is co-chaired by
Pirates President Frank Coonelly, Professor and Chair of the AGH
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr. Patrick DeMeo, and Pirates
Infielder Neil Walker.
More than 128 participants came to Seven Springs Mountain
Resort for the seventh annual Pirates Charities Sporting Clays
Invitational on July 8. The event is chaired by Pirates and Pirates
Charities Chairman Bob Nutting. Pirates celebrities spent the day
with participants, enjoying the scenic and challenging sporting clays
course at Seven Springs.

44

P I R AT E S W I V E S
Members of the Pirates Wives Organization contributed their time
and talents to help raise money and give comfort to members of the
Pittsburgh community. On August 19, players wives volunteered at
the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to help prepare emergency kits for
domestic violence shelters.
The Pirates wives were active in several Pirates Charities Fundraising
events, answering phones during the Pirates Charities ROOT Sports
Auction, and creating and donating player-themed baskets to raffle
off during Stand Up 2 Cancer night at PNC Park.

6,000

RAISED FOR SU2C FROM

P I R AT E S W I V E S P L AY E R B A S K E T S

45

ALUMNI
Former Pirates players remain involved in the Pittsburgh community even
after their playing careers have concluded. The 29th annual Pirates Alumni
Golf Classic was held at South Hills Country Club on Monday, July 21,
and raised over $90,000 for local charities.
Pirates alums also took their baseball skills out in the community, teaching
basics to Miracle League athletes at the Miracle League of Western
Pennsylvania during their annual Fantasy Camp. Grant Jackson, Barry Jones
and Ken Macha were celebrity instructors at this years event. Pirates Alumni
also helped local little leaguers learn baseball basics at the 2015 Pirates Play
Ball event at PNC Parkinstructors included Grant Jackson, Barry Jones,
Chris Peters and Omar Moreno.
In memory of longtime Pirates manager Chuck Tanner, the We Are Family
Fund was established through Pirates Charities in 2011. During Spring
Training, a member of the Pirates minor league family is honored with the
Chuck Tanner Award that is given to the staff person who best exemplifies
Chucks optimism, dedication and commitment to the game of baseball. The
2015 Chuck Tanner honoree was Pirates Minor League Coach Cecilio Beltre.
Former Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen helped put smiles on kids faces
this year with CC Champions, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that helps kids
with cancer through year-long friendships with inspirational role models.
Alums Sid Bream and Jim Rooker also participated.

46

Photo courtesy of CCChampions

47

P I R AT E S TA L E S
Pittsburgh Pirates and Carnegie Library of
Pittsburgh teamed up this summer for Pirates
Tales. Now in its eighth season, the Pirates
Tales program encourages kids to set reading
goals during the summer months and read their
way all the way to PNC Park!
Students participating in the Pirates Tales
program set their summer reading goals at
their local Carnegie Library. Once they achieve
their reading goal, they are entered into a
contest to attend a Pirates game with a special
story time, pregame event.
Studies show that children who read six or
more books over the summer gained more in
reading achievement than children who did
not. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the
Pittsburgh Pirates want to turn reading into
a family habit!

48

FRONT OFFICE
V O L U N T E E R D AY
On Thursday, July 9 over 40 Pittsburgh Pirates and ROOT Sports
employees partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools and Pittsburgh
Cares at the Pittsburgh Pirates Day of Caring. Volunteers visited
Pittsburgh Faison Elementary Schools Summer Dreamers Academy
Program, which serves 500 students ages 6-12. Some volunteers read
a book about Roberto Clemente to students. Others led activities
to teach kids about sportsmanship and working together as a team.
Children ended the day by putting what they learned about giving
back to the community to good use: each child made cards for
veterans or seniors in nursing homes.

49

AFRICAN AMERICAN
H E R I TA G E W E E K E N D
On Friday, July 10, the Pirates kicked off their annual African
American Heritage Weekend with a luncheon featuring
McKeesport native and two-time Olympic basketball gold
medalist Swin Cash. The festivities continued with an on-field
pregame ceremony honoring six community champions chosen
for their contributions to the Pittsburgh area.

Heritage Weekend continued on Saturday, July 11 with the Josh

Gibson Scholarship awards, given to two graduating seniors to help
defray the cost of higher education. 2015 Scholarship recipients were
James E. Burke, Jr. who will be attending Morehouse University, and
Francesca Guarino, who will be attending the University of Dayton.
The weekend concluded with a pregame Youth Baseball Day salute
that included 500 kids and coaches from the Pittsburgh Reviving
Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. Following the salute, the
Pirates and Jefferson Awards Foundation honored youth from
Pittsburghs Brashear High School Students in Action (SIA) Team.
The SIA team was selected as the 2015 Jefferson Awards Pittsburgh
Regional Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School Team.

2015 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS:

E m e fa Aku A k wayen a P i n e Ri c hlan d H i gh S c hool S tuden t
Tr u Dixon Iman i C hr i s ti an Ac adem y
Dion D u pre e G r i n d M ode M an agem en t
Da n ie l l e Pa r s on R us h Ac hi e va
S te ph e n S h e l ton Tr ade I n s ti tute of P i tts bur gh
De b r a S m a l l wo od Volun teer

50

J A C K I E R O B I N S O N D AY
The Jackie Robinson Day Art, Essay and Poetry Contest asks
students in grades 3 8 to consider the life and legacy of Jackie
Robinson, who broke MLBs color barrier in 1947. More than
3,000 entries were received this year, representing 140 schools
in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Winners were
recognized on the PNC Park field before a Pirates home game.

3,000
A R T, E S S AY A N D P O E T R Y
CONTEST ENTRIES

L AT I N O C E LE B R AT I O N
The Pirates, along with the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce and the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development
Corporation, hosted the annual Latino Reception on May 4 in the
Pittsburgh Baseball Club at PNC Park. 175 local leaders attended
to meet with Pirates players, coaches and trainers. Latino inspired
food and salsa dancing made for a great evening of celebrating the
Pittsburgh Hispanic community.
51

D I S A B I L I T Y AWA R E N E S S
The Pirates Disability Awareness series took place over three days
at PNC Park. June 10 was the Disability Awareness Celebration
kickoff and street fair, which included resource booths from
partners including MobilityWorks, Passavant Memorial Homes, the
United Ways 21 and Able Program and Three Rivers Center for
Independent Living. Over 350 fans joined in this celebration that
helped to foster a culture of inclusion among Pirates fans.
Two additional Awareness Days throughout the season helped
provide resources and awareness for specific populations within
the disability community. July 8 focused on helping students
with disabilities transition from high school to college, and was
highlighted by a visit from Americas Disability Rights Museum on
Wheels in honor of the 25th anniversary of the ADA. The August 5
Awareness Day benefited Adaptive Sports.

52

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
AWA R E N E S S
In 2015, every member of the Pirates team and front office staff
received training to help recognize and prevent domestic violence,
and to provide resources for victims and allies. Pirates President
Frank Coonelly also solidified the commitment of the Pirates
organization to prevent domestic violence by signing the FISA
Foundations No More Fathers Day Pledge to End Gender
Violence.
The Pirates also help support those suffering from domestic
violence by collecting shampoo and soap from team hotel stays
throughout the season, which are then used in domestic violence
shelter emergency kits.

S P E C I A L O LY M P I C S
TORCH RUN
KICK-OFF
For several years, the Pirates have hosted the start of
the Be a Fan Torch Run fundraiser benefitting Special
Olympics PA. The 3-day segmented 150 mile run starts
at PNC Park and concludes at Penn State University.
More than 35 Law Enforcement Teams from across the
Commonwealth participate. This years Run began at
PNC Parks home plate on June 2.
53

COMMISSIONERS
I N I T I AT I V E
MLBPA GIVE BACK
Thanks to these two programs, thousands of complimentary tickets
were distributed to qualifying nonprofit organizations. The goal of
the programs is to provide tickets to those who might not otherwise
have the opportunity to attend a Major League Baseball game.

M L B A U T I S M AWA R E N E S S
Autism Awareness Day was held on April 19 and helped the
Pittsburgh Chapter of Autism Speaks raise funds and awareness
for families affected by autism. Members of Autism Speaks Board
of Directors and several beneficiaries were recognized on the field
prior to the game.

M O T H E R S D AY
The Pirates joined Major League Baseball to honor women
impacted by breast cancer as a part of MLBs annual Mothers
Day celebration. MLB contest winner Kate Crawford was named
the Pirates honorary bat girl for the Sunday, May 10 game.
She was the winner of a special contest to recognize baseball
fans affected by breast cancer. Cathy was honored in a special
pregame ceremony, received MLB pink merchandise and had the
opportunity to watch the game from the Pirates Charities Suite
with her family and friends.

54

A L S AWA R E N E S S
On Tuesday, July 7, members of local ALS support organizations
were honored on the field prior to a game in recognition of MLBs
4ALS Awareness day.

P L AY C L I N I C
PLAY partners with MLB teams, their trainers and players to
educate young people about the dangers of steroid use and to
promote a healthy and active lifestyle. On July 24, Pirates Head
Trainer Todd Tomczyk and his staff hosted a PLAY clinic at PNC
Park for local youth. The Taylor Hooton Foundation also made a
special presentation on drug abuse.

55

SPRING TRAINING

WA K E L A N D / H O R I Z O N S
ACADEMY SUPPORT

During Spring Training each year, the city of Bradenton and

Manatee County welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates players, coaches
and staff while they train and prepare for the upcoming season.
Bradenton is the Pirates second home and the team gives back to
Bradenton and Manatee County in a variety of ways. That work is
continued by the Bradenton Marauders players and staff throughout
the year.

Pirates and Marauders staff show their commitment to education

by supporting Wakeland Elementary and nearby Horizons Academy
throughout the year. In addition to hosting Student-of-the-Month
lunches, several staff members serve as mentors for students enrolled
in the two schools.

FOOD DRIVE

FSL COMMUNITY
S E R V I C E AWA R D

The Pirates helped the less fortunate and fed the hungry during
Spring Training, 2015. Fans were asked to bring canned food to
a select game to benefit the Mayors Feed the Hungry program.
Additionally, leftover food from the Pirates clubhouse was donated
to Our Daily Bread, a community driven organization devoted to
feeding the hungry.

BENEFIT GAMES
At McKechnie Field, Pirates Spring Training benefit games raised
money for non-profit organizations in the region. At each benefit
game, a portion of every ticket sold was contributed to charities
including the Manatee Education Foundation, Wakeland Elementary,
Rogers Garden Elementary, the United Way, and the Boys and Girls
Club of Manatee County. There was also a designated Military
Appreciation Day as a part of the benefit series.

56

The Bradenton Marauders work throughout the year was honored

by the Florida State League for the second consecutive year when
the organization was awarded with the prestigious John Henry Moss
Award, which recognizes ongoing commitment to charitable service
and support and leadership within the community.

L AT I N A M E R I C A
Estorga, Dominican Republic is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Latin American Headquarters. The Pirates reach out to individuals
and families in this region, helping to improve their lives and make a
positive impact. Each year, the Pirates host a group of local children
to a holiday party at the Dominican facility. Kids are treated to a
ballpark picnic, receive Pirates gifts and get to play ball with the pros.
The Pirates also provide educational opportunities for their
Dominican players. In the Dominican Republic, many players have
not finished schooling when they join a professional baseball club.
The Pirates provide individualized education programs for players
at the Dominican academy, and in 2015, 14 players received a
Dominican High School Diploma. This was the sixth consecutive
High School Graduation at the Academy.

57

ARAMARK &
LEVY

CENTRAL
BLOOD BANK

PNC Park concessionaires ARAMARK and

Levy Restaurants support Pirates Charities
and give back to the Pittsburgh Community.
ARAMARK annually supports Pirates
Charities by partnering on a holiday event
for Pressley Ridge as part of the teams
annual Winter CARE-a-van, generously
contributes to the Pirates 5K Home Run
and works closely with the team on all of
its Make-A-Wish efforts.

The Pirates partnered with Central

Blood Bank to host four blood drives
at PNC Park in 2015. Donors received
complimentary Pirates tickets and had
the opportunity to meet Pirates alums.
More than 1,747 units were donated
in 2015, which could save over 5,200
lives! It is important that those who can
donate, do donate.

Levy Restaurants once again donated

complimentary food and beverage to all
VIP (Very Important Pirate) Party recipients
through the Levy Cares program. Levy also
provided a specially designed, discounted
menu for the Pirates Charities Suite to give
the team charitys special guests a night to
remember at the ballpark.

58

CHICK-FIL-A
Chick-fil-A has long been a strong
supporter of Pirates Charities, providing
assistance for various events throughout
the year. For example, Chick-fil-A
provided chicken sandwiches to runners
as they completed the Pittsburgh Pirates
5K Home Run in April, and donated
lunch for all the kids at Pittsburgh
Arsenal Elementary when the team
hosted an assembly and dropped off
school supplies on Clemente Day.
Chick-fil-A was also on-hand to
provide healthy lunches for the
participants at the September 26
Pirates Play Ball Event.

COCA-COLA
Coca-Cola supported Pirates Charities
by donating thousands of bottles of
water, sports drink and soda at various
events throughout the year. Coca-Cola
supported the Pittsburgh Pirates 5K
Home Run, Pirates Charities Golf
Outing, Miracle League Fantasy Camps
and more!

DICKS
SPORTING
GOODS
In addition to generous in-kind
donations and event sponsorships for
Pirates Charities fundraising events,
Dicks Sporting Goods donated baseball,
softball and tee ball equipment to
provide a day of baseball fun at the
September 26 Pirates Play Ball Event.
Dicks is committed to helping kids stay
active and continuing to grow youth
baseball and softball in our region.
Dicks also teamed up with Pirates
Charities and Project Bundle Up for
several winter clothing shopping events
for kids and families in need during the
2014 Pirates Charities CARE-a-van.

59

PITTSBURGH
BREWING
COMPANY

PPG
INDUSTRIES
F O U N DAT I O N

Pittsburgh Brewing Company supported

Its About the Warrior Foundation with
a specially designed, limited edition
camouflage Iron City can. A portion of
the proceeds from each of the camo cans
was donated to IATW during a special
pre-game on-field ceremony prior to the
July 9 Pirates vs. Cardinals game.

In 2015, over 10,000 youth participated

in the Pirates Education Days program
that provides an educational field
trip to the ballpark. Students from
95 schools came to PNC Park this
summer, and received a workbook and
took part in an educational scavenger
hunt that included a special scoreboard
weather presentation by KDKA TV s
Jeff Verzyla. The program workbook is
underwritten by Pirates Charities, the
PPG Industries Foundation and Trib
Total Media.

60

SERVICE
LINK
ServiceLink contributed $500 for
every Pirates save in 2015 to the
Folded Flag Foundation. The Folded
Flag Foundation is a non-profit that
enlists the publics financial support for
families of those fallen heroes who
have lost their lives as a result of hostile
action. Led by NL saves leader Mark
Melancon, the Pirates relievers saved
54 games in 2015. ServiceLink
generously rounded their contribution
up to a total of $30,000 for 2015!

T R I B T O TA L
MEDIA
In addition to sponsorship of the Pirates
Education Days, Trib Total Media
donated 40,000 Stand Up 2 Cancer
cheer cards for SU2C night at PNC
Park. Fans had the opportunity to
write the name of a loved one affected
by cancer and stand together to honor
those individuals.

WESTINGHOUSE
For every error-free game the Pirates
played in 2015, Westinghouse
contributed $500 to ASSET Stem
Education. The total contribution came
to $42,500!
Westinghouse also presented the Pirates
Scholastic Achievement program,
providing complimentary Pirates tickets
to recognize teachers, principals and
students who exemplify outstanding
academic performance.

61

LETS GO BUCS. LETS GO GREEN!

The Pirates are committed to sustainable practices by focusing on three key elements
recycling, conservation and awareness. The Pirates Lets Go Bucs. Lets Go Green
program integrates greening initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational
outreach throughout the Pirates organization and the PNC Park facility.

T H R O U G H O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 , T H E P I R AT E S R E C YC LE D :

12.6
TONS OF PAPER

66.1

TONS OF ALUMINUM

62

152.6
TONS OF CARDBOARD

14.2

TONS OF FRYER OILS

94.1
TONS OF PLASTIC

114.2
TONS OF GLASS

13.8

T O N S O F O T H E R M E TA L S

281.1

43.2

971.6

23

T O N S O F YA R D WA S T E

T O N S O F F O O D WA S T E

TONS OF OTHER
RECYCLABLES

T O N S O F E - WA S T E

ROCK AND WRAP IT UP!

In partnership with concessionaires ARAMARK and Levy, the Pittsburgh
Pirates support Rock and Wrap it Up! Inc. by recovering prepared but
untouched food from PNC Park throughout the baseball season. The
collected food is donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
A total of 2,085 pounds of food were recovered during the 2015 season.

63

C O N TA C T U S
P I T T S B U R G H P I R AT E S

PNC Park at North Shore

115 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
PHONE

412-325-4992
FAX

412-325-4944
WEBSITE

pirates.com/community
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

P I R AT E S C H A R I T I E S A N D
COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC
A F FA I R S S TA F F M E M B E R S
PAT T Y PAY TA S

Senior Vice President, Community and Public Affairs,

Executive Director, Pirates Charities
MICHELLE CAPOBIANCO

Director, Community Relations

JACKIE HUNTER

Manager, Pirates Charities

JONA DeCHELLIS

@bucscommunity

Community Relations Coordinator

LIKE US ON FACEBO OK

J O E L G R AY

facebook.com/pirates

Community Outreach Coordinator

Create a My Pirates Account and get your

own myPirates address at pirates.com.

ROBIN HANNA

Administrative Assistant

D O NAT I O N P R O G R A M
The Pirates help eligible non-profit organizations raise money and support their missions by donating complimentary tickets
and autographed items. For more information about requesting a donation from the Pirates, please visit pirates.com/donations.

64

P I R A T E S

C H A R I T I E S