When the word sports is mentioned, many of us think of our favorite team, our favorite player or a moment in sports history that brings fond memories. Whether your fandom is self-inflicted, or you come from a long line of passionate and loyal fanatics through a familial connection or the bond of friendship, it is hard to deny the power of the medium. What tends to get lost amid the emotional roller coaster is that sports are often more than just a game.
This was on full display Sunday December 15, 2019, as Community Outreach Partners, in collaboration with the Glastonbury High School baseball team and Glastonbury Amateur Baseball partnered together to provide holiday cheer for two local organizations by hosting the 3rd Annual Fill the Red Box Gift Drive at Ross Park, located at 4 Canione Road in Glastonbury, Connecticut. the Prudence Crandall Center, a facility offering comprehensive support to men, women and children who are victims of domestic violence and the Klingberg Family Center, a facility that extends hope and healing to children and families whose lives have been traumatized by abuse and/or neglect in its various forms, severe family problems and mental health issues were the beneficiaries. Volunteers from these organizations accompanied by the support of H.D. Segur Insurance, Hillyard, Spring Brook Ice & Fuel, Volaris Capital Management and Washington Nationals Team Youth Academy were able to collect and provide over 100 gifts, supplies for the shelters and gift cards for the holidays.
“It’s awesome to see the local community get together and support two organizations that are doing great things for the greater Connecticut area every single day,” said Jack Sundberg, minor league player for the Washington Nationals and organizer of the event. “Community Outreach Partners as a whole is very appreciative to even partake in something special like this. The organization extends its many thanks to all of our sponsors for making this all possible,” Sundberg continued.
The event raised more than $2,000 and coupled with the gifts and supplies made a lasting impact on the families seeking assistance from the Prudence Crandall Center and the Klingberg Family Center during the holiday season. The community came together in support of 2 local organizations in need and showcased the power of the holiday spirit and ultimately the power of sports.
“Your incredible initiative, along with generosity of your sponsors and the baseball teams of Glastonbury, have helped ease the stress of our families by collecting these necessary items, and made their holiday season a bright one,” said Carolyn Jasper, Director of Development for the Prudence Crandall Center.
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