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DEAR TRASH PANDA NATION,
After another amazing season celebrating Trash Pandas Baseball, we also celebrated the official launch of the Rocket City Trash Pandas Foundation.
This year's Community Impact Report features the outreach, support, and funding provided by the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Trash Pandas Foundation.
A special thank you to all our partners and fans for your continued support. We look forward to expanding our outreach efforts and making an even bigger impact in 2023!
Warmest Regards,
Maddison Kendrick
Director of Community Relations
The Rocket City Trash Pandas
MISSION STATEMENT
The Trash Pandas Foundation is a 501c3 organization dedicated to educating and promoting healthy lifestyles through sport and to positively impact communities in the North Alabama region.
The Foundation was officially established in 2022.
Tax ID: 86-1762336
Throughout the season fans were asked to bring various items for our different collection drives. All items were donated to local nonprofit organizations. Recipients of the drives included:
Waggin' Wednesdays!
Every Wednesday, fans were invited to bring their four-legged friends to the park for our Dog Day. For a $1 donation to an animal-related nonprofit, dogs were allowed entry and all proceeds went back to the nonprofit of the night. We hosted 10 Dog Days in 2022.
During the season, the Trash Pandas Foundation hosted two Community Clubhouse Sales which offered a variety of autographed and game used memorabilia to fans in a garage sale fashion. Items included mystery baseballs, autographed team cards, broken bats, batting practice gear, and limited edition specialty jerseys. A total of $21,690 was raised for the Foundation.
One of our most popular in-game fundraisers were our jersey auctions. We had 6 total jersey auctions in 2022 which consisted of a different themed jersey that players and coaches wore on the field. Throughout the game, fans near & far had the opportunity to bid on a game-worn jersey. Over $100,000 was raised and proceeds were split between the Trash Pandas Foundation and a local nonprofit. Featured jerseys and recipients this year included:
In June we held our 2nd annual instructional baseball camp for local youth between ages 7-10 years old. Over the course of 2 days, campers had the opportunity to learn baseball skills and fundamentals from Trash Pandas players.
Players that helped included 1B Braxton Martinez, RHP Coleman Crow, C Zach Humphreys, C Anthony Mulrine, RHP Zach Linginfelter, and LHP Eric Torres
In addition to Trash Pandas games, Sprocket loves to spend his time making special visits to local community members.
Appearance highlights for 2022 include school visits, a Huntsville Havoc game, parades, and even a trip to Los Angeles!
Throughout the season Trash Pandas players had the opportunity to make special visits in the North Alabama community. Visits included:
In an effort to inspire participation in baseball and softball activities and encourage local youth to get outside, the Trash Pandas in partnership with Major League Baseball held the first ever "PLAYBALL WEEKEND"
Volunteers at Toyota Field
NPO’s had the opportunity to fundraise for their organization during games by volunteering in our concession stands. Each volunteer in attendance was paid by the hour with that money directly benefitting the organization. A total of $57,447 was raised through our concessions program.
Thank you to all of our 2022 volunteers:
The Trash Pandas are proud to support local non-profits and fundraisers through additional give back programs such as our in-kind donation program, and service opportunities for our Front office staff.
We once again thank you, our loyal partners and fans for an incredible 2022 season. Please watch our "Thank You Fans" message below.