Going to a summer baseball game at Petco Park and cheering on the Padres while munching on hot dogs and popcorn is a favorite past time for many San Diegans. For our nonprofit partners, it’s that and much more, when they join us at the home plate on game nights.
This is the third year that we are partnering with the Padres on Going to Bat for San Diego, which provides recognition and donations for nonprofit organizations that are swinging for the fences when it comes to improving our region.
These organizations provide a variety of services from helping our community with wildfire preparedness to keeping our beaches clean to advancing clean transportation.
This baseball season, we are providing support to 13 nonprofits. Since March, we have donated $175,000 to the following organizations focused on safety.
- $100,000 donated to the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is there for us when disasters strike in our communities with a range of resources, from shelters to life-saving blood supplies to mental health support. Last year was marked by historic hurricanes, wildfires and other crises, and the American Red Cross served a record number of people whose lives were upended.
- $50,000 donated to the Burn Institute
This nonprofit health agency reaches thousands of children and adults each year with lifesaving fire and burn prevention education, and burn survivor support through programs like the Fire Safe Kids, Camp Beyond The Scars, and Senior Smoke Alarm Program. In close partnership with the UCSD Regional Burn Center, it also helps fund vital burn research and purchase specialized equipment to treat burn patients.
- $25,000 donated to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation
Established by former firefighters to help provide for the unmet needs of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, the foundation has been instrumental in providing first responders with enhanced equipment, training, technology and community education resources to protect lives and property in our region.
Who’s Up Next?
We are half-way through the Going to Bat for San Diego season. There are three more months to go. Check out the line-up of community organizations set to hit the field in the coming months and join us in cheering for them when they come to the home plate to be recognized and accept the donation.