Nonprofits and community groups in York County received more than $226,000 through fundraisers held during the York Revolution's 2008 season. The baseball team raised about $40,000 more than in 2007, spokesman Paul Braverman said.

"That's a number we want to (see) rising," he said. "Year after year, we expect that number to go up."

For the second year, the York City School District received the biggest chunk of money. The district received about $60,000 from the proceeds of parking at Small Athletic Field.

The York County United Way received $27,000 from Sovereign Bank, which donated $50 for every strikeout by a Revolution pitcher.

"The pitchers did well this year," said Bob Woods, executive director of the United Way. The organization was also featured on the scoreboard throughout games, he said.

"Just that visibility is certainly a big factor," he said.

The money went to the United Way's "Focus On Our Future" program, which aims to improve child care and early childhood education in the county, Woods said.

Jersey nights, when the players wore special jerseys that were later auctioned off, raised several thousand dollars for the York Rescue Mission and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of York County.

Braverman said jersey nights are common in minor league baseball, and the Revolution might hold more next year. The team has thought about a camouflage jersey night to benefit a military organization and a pink jersey night to benefit


Advertisement

breast cancer organizations, but nothing is official, he said.

"Any organization like that, any nonprofit or community-based organization that wants to get involved with a night at the ballpark . . . there's a way we can get them involved," he said. "No one . . . ever gets turned down."

RECIPIENTS

Fundraisers through the York Revolution brought in about $226,000 for area nonprofits and community organizations during the team's 2008 season.

Among the donations:

--- $60,000 to the York City School District through parking at Small Athletic Field

--- $26,500 to the York County United Way from Susquehanna Bank, which donated $50 for every strikeout by a Revolution pitcher

--- $12,000 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of York County from Purple Jersey Night

--- $8,000 to the York Rescue Mission through White Rose jersey auction

--- $86,000 to nonprofits that worked the concession stands and received part of the proceeds

--- $6,400 worth of unused tickets to area children and families, from Revolution season ticket holders

--- $5,200 for YMCA of York and York County's Strong Kids Campaign through the off-season "Hot Stove" dinner

--- $5,045 in toys and cash to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots from the Christmas in July event

--- $3,650 to local children from M&T Bank, which donated a $50 savings bond for every Revolution home run

--- $2,200 to Wellspan Kids First Campaign from Barton & Associates and Anstadt Printing, which donated $50 for every first-inning run scored by the Revolution

--- $12,500 in individual donation requests handled by the Revolution