Fundraiser launches Big League Impact charity; events to happen at 10 cities around country with more than 60 MLB players
ST. LOUIS, MO (August 4, 2014) – Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is once again raising money for charity during his 2nd annual “Waino’s World of Fantasy Football” draft day experience at Busch Stadium on August 15th. Proceeds benefit Operation Food Search, Habitat for Humanity, the Big League Impact Basic Needs Initiative and Cardinals Care.
“We are very fortunate to have so many players like Adam who generously donate their time and talents for our community,” said Michael Hall, Vice President of Community Relations & Executive Director of Cardinals Care. “Adam has taken something he’s passionate about and turned it into a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans that will have a lasting impact. Cardinals Care is honored to be part of it.”
As part of the event, participants have the opportunity to play fantasy football alongside Wainwright and teammates Lance Lynn, Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday, Michael Wacha and Shelby Miller, as well as St. Louis Rams football legends Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner. In addition to the live draft, participants will receive photos and autographed items, a behind-the-scenes tour of Busch Stadium, VIP access to batting practice, party suite tickets for the August 15th Cardinals game vs. San Diego, weekly interaction and competition with big leaguers throughout the fantasy football season and more chances to win other great prizes.
Following the success of last year’s “one-time” fantasy football draft event, Wainwright launched Big League Impact, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization with a mission to support essential basic needs like food, water and shelter, both domestically and abroad. One year later, the fantasy football event exists in 10 cities with participation from more than 60 big league players including Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Freddie Freeman, Skip Schumaker and more.
Big League Impact raises money for local and global charities through contributions from participants in the fantasy football leagues. Proceeds support non-profit organizations selected by the players with an emphasis on the local communities where they play. Big League Impact will also direct 25% of the net proceeds from the collective 2014 events toward a transformative international project that will bring multiple charity organizations together to provide basic needs such as food, water and shelter to one community in need.
“When we hosted the first event in St. Louis, we were overwhelmed by the support from the local community,” said Adam Wainwright. “Now we’re teaming up with players across Major League Baseball to make a big league difference in our home communities, as well as around the globe.”
For a full listing of Big League Impact fantasy football draft day experiences or to register for the August 15th event at Busch Stadium, fans can visit bigleagueimpact.org.
Fans can learn more about Cardinals players’ community efforts at cardinals.com/playerscare.
About Cardinals Care
Cardinals Care was established to give fans a way of teaming up with Cardinals players and the organization to help children in our community – both on and off the baseball field. Since it was established in 1997, Cardinals Care has distributed nearly $20 million to support St. Louis area non-profit youth organizations and built 21 youth ball fields in local disadvantaged neighborhoods. 2014 marks the 11th year of Cardinals Care’s innovative Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball league for kids who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play. In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, mentoring and the cultural arts for each of the nearly 4,500 kids who participate in the program each year.
About Big League Impact
Big League Impact, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to support essential needs causes (e.g. food, water, shelter and other basic needs) domestically and abroad. By combining two of America’s favorite pastimes, Big League Impact offers a one-of-a-kind experience to those looking to play in a star-powered fantasy football league alongside some of professional baseball’s biggest stars. Big League Impact will be represented in 10 cities across the country in 2014. For more information, visit bigleagueimpact.org.
About Operation Food Search
Operation Food Search is a leader in hunger relief, serving the St. Louis region. Its mission is to nourish and educate its neighbors in need to heal the hurt of hunger. Operation Food Search supplies food and necessities to 270 community partners in 26 counties of Missouri and Illinois and the City of St. Louis.
About Habitat for Humanity St. Louis
Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis (HFHSL) believes in a world in which everyone has a decent place to live. In 28 years, HFHSL has partnered with more than 350 families to provide simple and affordable housing in St. Louis City and County.
