FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2017
Contact
Colneth Smiley
Desk: 617.348.6224
Cell: 617.872.9435
colneth.smiley@bostonabcd.org
Action for Boston Community Development’s
20th Annual Field of Dreams
Partnering with the Boston Red Sox & Corporate Sponsors
For Twenty Years at Fenway Park
Fundraising for ABCD’s SummerWorks Program
Leading Boston’s At-Risk Youth Off the Streets to a Path Towards Responsibility
For a remarkable 20th year in a row, Action for Boston Community Development with great support from the Boston Red Sox hosts its summertime fundraiser, Field of Dreams at Fenway Park to benefit Greater Boston’s at-risk and underprivileged youth through the ABCD SummerWorks program.
Join us on MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017 as eighteen teams – comprised of financial, health, law, commercial, and other businesses or private groups – play ball on Boston’s historically famous diamond field, fulfilling a true baseball fanatic’s dream to pitch off the mound in Fenway Park or swing a homerun hit over the Green Monster.
The softball tournament begins 7 a.m. on the fresh manicured grounds of Fenway until – for the first time since its inception – throughout the evening, ending at 9 p.m., playing under the bright stadium lights of Fenway Park.
Thanks to the generosity and a treasured partnership with the Boston Red Sox, the unique fundraising event co-chaired by John Sasso – President of Advanced Strategies, and Lew Eisenberg – partner at Cosgrove, Eisenberg & Kiley, PC, allows baseball amateurs and enthusiasts a rare and extremely fun opportunity to dream like a kid, play on an official MLB field, and sponsor an influential program that will help build a youth in-need’s sense of responsibility and community.
“Our SummerWorks youth often come from families in dire need. Some of these teens are homeless. Some have parents working but struggling to make ends meet. Some are young parents themselves, trying to find a way. A summer employment can mean the world to these young men and women in need,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew. “Whether it’s a boost of self-esteem, or a possible career connection that later paves the way – the Field of Dreams fundraiser supports our youth and create goals for them to achieve in the future. ABCD is very grateful to the Boston Red Sox and all the sponsoring teams who make this fundraiser possible.”
“The Field of Dreams event has been a staple at Fenway Park for two decades and remains an important fundraiser for ABCD’s SummerWorks program,” said Red Sox President Sam Kennedy. “We are proud to once again host this special event that uses baseball to engage so many corporations in a fun way.”
To commemorate the 20th year milestone with the Red Sox and Fenway Park, ABCD is running a special social media campaign, “Counting Down 20 Days to 20 Years” sharing #ABCDFieldofDreams news, sponsors, videos, throwback highlights, interactive games and more via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
As sponsor teams take the field with their designated coaches, managers, and assigned players, their pictures will be shown over the Jumbotron and names will be announced over the PA system just like a real athlete! Capture the fun as they aim to throw, catch, bat, run the bases, and score at Fenway Park. When they’re not covering bases or swinging homeruns, players can still feel like the pros and hang out in the official Fenway Park dugouts!
Whether sponsor team players strike out or hit a grand slam, Field of Dreams is a homerun for hundreds of teens and young adults in need of job/career opportunities. ABCD’s SummerWorks offers those in need another option towards a successful path, rather than being idle in the streets and susceptible to trouble. Youth and young adults in the program earn a sense of purpose, fulfillment and reward with a summer job. ABCD’s SummerWorks youth program provides work experience, mentoring, financial literacy and career development opportunities.
ABCD SummerWorks program has contributed in keeping our communities and young people safe, connecting the concepts of responsibility and citizenship. About 1,000 participants are placed in one of more than 200 partnering worksites ranging from community organizations, government agencies, child care, day camps, health centers, and more. Along with a check, teens participate in career-oriented workshops and network with mentors. Contact ABCD Youth Services at (617)348-6548 to learn more.
Thank you to our team sponsors:
Arbella Insurance
Bank of America
Steward Health Care
Boston Children’s Hospital
DMB Financial
The Last Roundup
Global Atlantic
Grand Circle Corporation
Mass Eye and Ear John
Hancock Financial Services
Partners HealthCare
The TJX Companies, Inc.
Proskauer
Ropes & Gray, LLP
Suffolk Construction
Shields Health Care Group
Beacon Capital
JP Morgan
Trav All Stars
Thank you to our in-kind sponsors:
Aramark
About Face
Awards Unlimited
Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel
Eagle Photography
Boston University – Office of Parking
Finagle-A-Bagle
Franklin Sports Inc.
Hotel Commonwealth
Watermark Donut Company
MASCO Streetwear
Twins Enterprise
To learn more about ABCD Field of Dreams, how to sign up your organization for a future sponsored event, or to donate, contact Amelia Aubourg, ABCD Events Manager at amelia.aubourg@bostonabcd.org or call (617) 3486238.
