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DEAR TRASH PANDA NATION,
After celebrating 3 years of Trash Pandas Baseball, we also celebrated the second year of the Rocket City Trash Pandas Foundation.
This Community Impact Report features the outreach, support, and funding provided by the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Trash Pandas Foundation. In 2023 we were able to donate $50,000 to various organizations to help support the North Alabama community.
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 2024!
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
Kicking of the 2023 season, Trash Pandas partners, season ticket holders, and fans had the opportunity to dine with the team prior to Opening Day. This fundraiser event featured a buffet dinner, remarks from team manager Andy Schatzley, and a Q & A session with players and coaches.
One of our most popular in-game fundraisers were our jersey auctions. We had 5 total jersey auctions in 2023 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 $65,000 was raised and proceeds were split between the Trash Pandas Foundation and a local nonprofit. Featured jerseys and recipients this year included:
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 $12,200 was raised for the Foundation.
Throughout the season fans were asked to bring various items for our different collection drives. All items were donated to local nonprofit organizations in the area. 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.
In addition to our in season fundraisers, the Trash Pandas Foundation also held an Easter Breakfast in April, and a Breakfast with Santa in December.
Guests had the opportunity to enjoy a nice buffet breakfast, fun activities, and visits from special characters such as the Easter Bunny, Sprocket, Santa and more!
In addition to Trash Pandas games, Sprocket loves to spend his time making special appearances in the community. From school visits to community events, you can find him just about anywhere!
Throughout the season Trash Pandas players had the opportunity to make special visits in the North Alabama community. Visits included: US Paracycling Awards, Mountain Gap Elementary Field Day, St. Jude's Clinic and Pediatric wing at Huntsville Hospital, Rainbow Elementary, and Second Mile Preschool.
In addition to community appearances in the area, in 2023 the Los Angeles Angels introduced the Real Life Friday program. Throughout the year, the team traveled to different organizations to not only get an understanding of the history of Alabama, but to also expose them to life outside of baseball.
Visits included the US Space and Rocket Center, the Negro Southern League Museum and Rickwood Field in Birmingham, the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, and Redstone Arsenal.
During the 2023 holiday season, Trash Pandas Front Office staff took time out of their day to give back to the local community by assisting the North Alabama Food Bank. In just a few short hours, our staff was able to help prepare meal boxes to be sent out to those in need. Overall over 400 cases of food were packed that benefited over 7,600 people in North Alabama.
This past season the Trash Pandas adopted a new alternate identity known as the Lunaticos de Rocket City as part of Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversión" or "Fun Cup". This initiative is designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most within MiLB teams' local U.S. Hispanic communities.
Throughout the season, these games featured fun Latin music, dancing, food, and the debut of new team uniforms. With the unveiling of the Lunaticos identity, the Trash Pandas are the only professional sports team in Alabama with an alternate identity paying homage to the local Hispanic community.
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 second annual "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 $53,922 was raised through our concessions program.
Thank you to all of our 2023 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
Anyone hosting a fundraiser is eligible to apply for tickets, autographed memorabilia, and other Trash Pandas swag to help raise funds for their event. Over $10,100 of in-kind donations were donated in 2023.
Lindsey Knupp, Executive Vice President
Rob Sternberg, Vice-President, Production & Entertainment
Maddison Kendrick, Director of Community Relations
Josh Caray, Director of Broadcasting & Baseball
Kaitlyn Shephard, Community Group Sales Manager
Claire Griffith, Group Sales Manager
Josh Freund, Account Executive
Jared Chandler, Sous Chef
Because of our charitable efforts and impact in 2023, $50,000 was donated directly to the local non-profit organizations involved in our programming.
As our Foundation continues to grow, the money raised will help us continue to focus on community initiatives and progamming in the North Alabama community such as education and healthy living.
Things to look forward to in 2024 include the Reading with Sprocket school program, community grants and scholarships, field renovations and more!
We once again thank you, our loyal partners and fans for an incredible 2023 season. We look forward to welcoming you back to Toyota Field on April 9th, 2024!