OriolesREACH is looking to be a big hit in the community.
Bringing together all the outreach efforts of the Baltimore Orioles under one umbrella, it is hoped the coordinated services will bring more attention to what is done by the club in the community. Whether it is fundraising, hosting events at the ballpark or making appearances out in the community, the club will now go by the OriolesREACH name.
“By consolidating and centralizing all our operations, the public will better understand what we do and hopefully we can find more groups that we can help,” said Greg Bader, Orioles director of communications. “We want people to know what we are doing, but also know how we can help them.”
The OriolesREACH effort is broken into four categories: charitable giving, fundraising partnerships, Orioles in the neighborhood and ballpark experiences.
Since 1993, the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation and the ball club have donated more than $8.5 million to local groups. This season alone, more than $1.6 million has been raised with the aid of corporate partners.
But it?s not all about raising money.
Since 2000, OriolesREACH has helped more than 20,000 children get free hats, tickets, shirts and snacks. Every game, there are numerous children as well as veterans who get free admission.
“The Orioles have been extremely helpful in giving us outlets and more exposure to gets more attention for our causes,” said Laura Giuliani, wife of Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons and member of the Orioles Wives group, which helps give back to local groups every year.
And the players do plenty to get involved as well.
This summer, shortstop Miguel Tejada, along with manager Dave Trembley and several former Orioles players interacted with more than 300 youth as part of the Reviving Baseball in the Inner City program.
