Community Service
As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Bulls would like to thank all of the local businesses, community organizations and fans who helped us contribute to the growth and betterment of Durham and the Triangle.
The Montoyo Fund - When Durham Bulls Manager Charlie Montoyo and his family were struggling with the medical bills incurred by their newborn son, Alexander's health issues, the Bulls and their fans raised over $30,000 to help the family.
Habitat for Humanity of Durham - Over 200 cyclists participated in the inaugural Bull Moon Ride, a nighttime ride through Downtown Durham, to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Durham. The Bulls and Habitat also hosted At Bat for Habitat this season, an auction at the ballpark where fans were able to bid on game worn, specially-designed jerseys.
AIG Double Play - Each time the Durham Bulls turned a double play during a home game, AIG made a donation to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Carolina, an amount totaling $2,500 by season's end.
NC GreenPower Turns Bulls Green - The Bulls and NC GreenPower, an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve North Carolina's environment through voluntary contributions toward renewable energy, created a partnership in which the electricity used in the Durham Bulls suite level and to power the left field video board is being offset with purchases of renewable energy credits. NC GreenPower took naming rights to the suite level, including a re-design of the elevator vestibule filled with interesting facts about renewable resources. They also serve as sponsor of the left field video board and were the sponsor of the Bulls' Earth Day game on April 22nd.
DBAP Plays Host to Triangle Events - Along with the usual slate of Durham Bulls games, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park hosted several other teams and events in 2008, including…
- Independence Day Festival featuring Kevin Costner
- Durham Public Schools Academic Awards Luncheon
- North Carolina Central University Eagles
- USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team
- The US Olympic Baseball Team
- Bulls Durham Blues Festival
- World Beer Festival
- Project Homeless Connect
Jersey Auctions - Along with At Bat for Habitat, the Bulls hosted jersey auctions for several charitable groups, including the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Autism Society, LIVESTRONG, Make-a-Wish Foundation and Durham Regional Hospital's Level Two Special Care Nursery. Over $7,500 was raised during the jersey auctions.
Fidelity Investments goes to bat for DBYAL - The Durham Bulls and Fidelity Investments teamed up for sports equipment drives on four Saturday fireworks nights this season to benefit the Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League (DBYAL). On July 3rd, August 9th, August 23rd and August 30th, the Bulls and Fidelity collected over 500 pieces of donated equipment at the main entrance of the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Fidelity also donated four new pitching machines to the DBYAL at a ceremony in August.
Smith Breeden Associates Reading for Rewards Night - Smith Breeden Associates and the Bulls partnered to continue Reading for Rewards night again in 2008. Any fan that brought a new children's book to the Bulls box office on Thursday, July 31st received a complimentary ticket to that night’s game. All books were donated to local libraries in the Triangle.
Centerplate orders up some help: Once again community groups did some unique fundraising by working a concessions stand at a Durham Bulls game. Thanks to the Bulls’ concessionaire, Centerplate, 34 different groups earned almost $136,000 for their organizations. If you have a group you’d like to register, you can learn more about the program by clicking here.
