E
nriching the Lives of Youth through Baseball
Newsletter - August 2019
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4th Annual Johnny Price IV Memorial Golf Tournament - Bigger and Better
More than 225 golfers made their way out to
Legends Golf Club to participate in the 4th annual Johnny Price IV Memorial Golf Tournament on August 12th. Our flagship sponsor,
Twin Cities Orthopedics pledged $444 for every eagle made and our golfers met the challenge by bringing in the 45 eagles needed to secure
a total of $20,000.
#TeamTCO
We also wish to extend a big shout out to Jeff Belzer's New and Used Auto Detailer, our only Double Sponsor, who brought out a brand new, fully-loaded truck as a hole-in-one prize on the 13th hole. Although nobody drove away in a brand-new pick up, there's always next year.
Mark your calendars!
The 5th annual Johnny Price IV Memorial Golf Tournament is already set for Monday, August 10, 2020 at the beautiful Legends Golf Club.
We at the JP4 Foundation are humbled and grateful for the support of our volunteers, golfers, sponsors, and donors. Our inaugural golf event started with less than 60 golfers and we've grown 4 times that in less than 4 years. Thank you far and wide for the continued support and belief that baseball should be access
ible to all.
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game Becomes a Hit
The idea for this event was sparked after a meeting with Crescent Cove, an organization that offers care and support to children and young adults with a shortened life-expectancy, and to their families who love them.
"This ball game is a way we can provide access to baseball for families whose circumstances may not logistically make sense for them to attend a ball game." JP4 Foundation's executive director Jeff Huth continued, "Figuring out how to navigate massive stadium crowds, battle with expensive parking, and overpriced concessions may not be worth it to families with lingering medical bills, kids battling health related illnesses, or other adversity they are dealing with. This game is a way for family to momentarily set aside their worries, relax together, and enjoy a sense of normalcy found in the all-American pastime."
The complimentary baseball experience was made possible thanks to Golden Valley's
Quality Systems Integrators (QSI). QSI's Senior Account Manager, Mark Bollman weighed in on QSI's participation, "QSI is honored to provide the financial support for such a great event. We recognize spending time together as a family is priceless and to be able to give families an opportunity to make memories while watching a ball game together is a tremendous privilege for us."
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Summer Baseball Camps Comes to a Close
(following is an excerpt from an article
written by
freelance
author and writer,
Laurie Hahn Ganser.)
"Here they c
ome!"
A group of men stand on the baseball field at 42nd Street and Dupont Avenue in North Minneapolis. Conversation flows between plans for the morning's camp and the latest happenings in the world of baseball. The men's knowledge of the sport and comfort with their roles for the day is clear when children as young as five begin to race along the fenceline. Pounding feet and squeals give way to teenagers who are perhaps too cool to run but arrive on the field and, when assigned their stations, quickly begin their drills.
This year marks the second summer that the JP4 Foundation hosted free summer baseball camps for youth in underserved communities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The Foundation, established in the summer of 2016 operates under the knowledge that baseball is much more than a game. It is a vehicle for learning life lessons and fostering community, a sense of belonging, and opportunity.
Originally, Huth envisioned multiple one-day camps spread throughout the city with the idea that the foundation could impact as many kids as possible, two hundred or more. As he explored the idea, however, a question came up: "What if we impacted fifty kids over the course of eight weeks and built meaningful positive relationships?" Huth and his JP4 Foundation colleagues realized camps that
offered more opportunity for growth and connection would ultimately be more valuable for campers and their communities.
Collaboration between the
Police Activity League, the
Sanneh Foundation, and the JP4 Foundation has resulted in ninety youth experiencing free summer baseball camp over eight weeks, a 500% increase in participation from last summer's camp. Campers learn the fundamentals of baseball from experienced, qualified coaches, receive lunch, snacks, and water, and participate in activities that support personal growth facilitated by staff from the
MindStrong Project. Every child receives a hat and a shirt, and if they'd like, they are given a ball and glove to keep at the end of the eight weeks. Over 98% of campers are children of color and the vast majority qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school.
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| JP4 Foundation - Summer Baseball Camps |
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Can You Bring in a Single, Double, or Triple?
Do you work for a company that will match, double, or even triple your donation to the JP4 Foundation? Find out now with our newly launched corporate gift giving database. It's easy to use. Simply enter the name of your employer and gain immediate access to your company's gift giving guidelines, process and forms. Some companies match financial donations, others donate based on volunteer hours and some companies do both!
Check out this link:
https://www.jp4foundation.org/corporate-giving-volunteer-grants/
to search for your employer and help us help kids get in the game.
Please note: our new name may not yet be updated in all employer databases. You may need to use the Blizzard Foundation name when submitting match requests to your employer. Our EIN is 81-2968738. The JP4 Foundation (formerly Blizzard Foundation) is a 501(c)3 organization.
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Visit our Facebook
A quick and easy way to help out. Like our page and share our latest post.
Speaking Engagements
Need a speaker at your next Rotary meeting or Chamber event? The JP4 Foundation frequently visits these gatherings to share the work and vision of the foundation with the community.
Reach Out
It is our goal to impact as many families as possible. If you or someone you know may be in need of support from the JP4 Foundation, please connect them with executive director, Jeff Huth at
[email protected]
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Upcoming Dates
September 1st - Assistance Request
The board of directors will meet quarterly to review all applications. All applicants will be contacted by a board member within two weeks of the application deadline. All requests must be for future needs.
Apply for assistance here.
December 14th - Camps for Kids Holiday Party
Grab your holiday ugly sweater and head out for a night of laughter, fun, and fundraising. Our 2nd annual Camps for Kids Holiday Party will be held at Jimmy's Event Center. Details to come
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The JP4 Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
EIN: 81-2968738
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