The New York Yankees: Serving One Community to Another

Similar to a large, well-known corporation, community service is a substantial part in a professional sports teams day-to-day events.  The Yankees, being one of the most well-known sports teams have done countless selfless acts for the community.  Between Hope Week, Thanksgiving Food Drives, donating money to relief efforts; it is easy to say the Yankees have accomplished it all.  The team is constantly raising awareness for people in need of assistance, including establishing a partnership with the New York Blood Center.  They have also recently donated $500,000 to relief efforts in the  wake of the devastating tornadoes that have occurred in the southern part of the country. 


One of the most popular community programs that the Yankees do every year is Hope Week.  Dating back to 2009, Hope Week is done to inspire people to commit acts of kindness to help others in need. "At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has - no matter where they come from, what their financial situation is or what kind of skills they possess - is time."  For everyday during that week, the Yankees shine the light on a specific person, group, or organization that they find inspirational in more ways than one.  For one day, the deserving honorees have a media circuit that are allowed to film with them for the entire day.  Players and coaches bring on little surprises to each individual; even joining them during batting practice and on the field before and after the game.  Hope Week is truly an inspiration to others.  To see these deserving peoples' faces just light up when see the players who are like celebrities to them, is simply touching. 

 
Opening Day against the Red Sox on April 1st will be dedicated to the residents of Newtown, Connecticut in the face of the Sandy Hook elementary school tragedy.  Before the game, police officers and others who came to the aid of the victims will be honored by the organization.  Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig has also asked all major league teams to wear the ribbons during Opening Day.  The ribbons will also be painted onto the field for the crowds to see to remember the horrific events that occurred only a few months ago in the small, close-knit community of Newtown. Additionally, the Yankees will have "Newtown Day at Yankee Stadium" on July 7th for the approximately 3,000 school children and their families to attend. 



Now I know there are many other charitable functions that the Yankees have been a part of, including what the players have done individually, but I wanted to just touch upon a few of them in this blog post.  Just remember: "The one thing everybody has - no matter where they come from, what their financial situation is or what kind of skills they possess - is time."  One never knows how just one small act of kindness can greatly affect others.