E nriching the Lives of Youth through Baseball
Newsletter - July 2019

4th Annual Johnny Price IV Memorial Golf Tournament

We are now just two weeks away from the 4th Annual Johnny Price IV Memorial Golf Tournament held at the iconic   Legends Golf Course on Monday, August 12th. We still have openings for the morning round with an 8AM tee-off and there are two remaining foursomes for the afternoon round. Our Minnesota summer is waning, so don't miss out on a chance to enjoy the beautiful summer weather while supporting the JP4 Foundation.
 
Registration is easy:
 
 
3) Call/Text Executive Director, Jeff Huth at 763-242-2125
 
Looking to help?
1) Volunteers are needed to greet golfers and assist with the check-in process. Two volunteer shifts are available: 6AM-8AM or 11AM-2PM.
 
2) Donations of gift cards in any dollar amount are needed for the hugely popular gift card wall fundraiser. You can schedule a pick-up time with Jeff Huth or mail/drop off your extra gift cards at JP4 Foundation home: 3200 Labore Road #102 Vadnais Heights MN 55110
 
Flagship sponsor of the JP4 Foundation, Twin Cities Orthopedics has committed to donate $444 for every Eagle made during the tournament, up to $20,000!



 
Summer Baseball Camps Continue

Last year the JP4 Foundation hosted its first-ever 'Camps for Kids' holiday party. With 150 people packed into a room, we shared our vision of enriching the lives of youth through baseball during summer-long camps in communities throughout the Twin Cities. Thanks to the generosity of our many supporters and help from  Twin Cities Orthopedics Cargill , and  InSports Foundation , this vision became a reality for more than 90 campers from North Minneapolis and East Saint Paul.

Austin Hanson from MindStrong Project is  a camp coach and he closes out each camp session by sharing a MindStrong principle with the kids. This past week, campers were encouraged to dive into their unique purpose in life as part of a trip around the bases: The Diamond Series.

Coach Austin explained our purpose serves as the "Why" beneath our endeavors and pushes us forward in times of struggle; thus, it is the foundation and home plate of the Diamond Series. He recounted the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf to make the connection between struggle and purpose. With a purpose that is strong like bricks it can withstand the "big bad wolf" of life. Next week we head to first base. Stay tuned!

Our goal is to continue to expand our camps across the Twin Cities by adding new camps where there is need. Of our 90 campers this year, over half of them are playing baseball for the first time. When it comes down to it, this isn't about baseball. It is about enriching the lives of youth by instilling confidence, creating resiliency, and teaching the art of winning with grace and losing with dignity. 

Thank you for your continued support in carrying forward Johnny's legacy to change  lives.

Super Star Classic with Paul's Pals at CHS Field
courtesy  @MINNESOTAMASH


On Tuesday, July 23rd the JP4 Foundation partnered coaches and players from the Minnesota MASH organization with  Paul's Pals to run the first-ever Super Star Classic before the American Associate All-Star Game at CHS Field.
 
"We will always promote to our players they are more than just baseball players, it's more than just a game and you can always do more." 
 
- Tom Buske 
Founder Minnesota MASH
 
The inclusive baseball clinic was open to all kids regardless of ability, thanks to Paul's Pals, an organization that enriches the lives of children with disabilities by finding and funding worthy projects that advance inclusion in everyday life. While Minnesota MASH coaches and players ran the sandlot style games - All Stars from around the American Association came out to 'buddy up' with the participants.
 
The JP4 Foundation plans to continue partnering with Paul's Pals for years to come and hopes to make the Super Star Classic bigger and better each year!


Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Again!

The Minnesota MASH and NorthStar baseball organizations have teamed up with the JP4 Foundation to play in an exhibition baseball game solely for the friends and families of HopeKidsCrescent CoveReach for ResourcesMiracle League of BlainePaul's Pals, and Special Olympics of Minnesota. We intend to provide these special families with a day of baseball and fun without the need to navigate massive stadium crowds. Just like the big leagues, we will have tailgating, a ceremonial first pitch, national anthem, and a great time!
 
The JP4 Foundation introduced this event to support our mission of making baseball accessible to families and to provide an opportunity to bond over a shared love for the game of baseball. Based on responses from last year, we learned the event offers much more:

"I was overwhelmed with emotion when a mom began crying after I refused her money - and then we both started crying - over 
a $1.50 hot dog."
             - 2018 Concession Stand Volunteer
 
"We drove down from North Dakota to spend the day with our granddaughter, this gave us a place to go where we can be together and build memories before she's gone."
- 2018 Family Member

Thanks to a generous donation from Quality Systems Integrators of Golden Valley, we will once again be providing free parking, free admission, free concessions, and priceless memories. 
 
If you would like to volunteer or otherwise support this or any of our other events, please reach out to Jeff Huth, 763-242-2125.

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.

Are You a Thrivent Member?

The JP4 Foundation is now enrolled in Thrivent Choice® and is listed in the  Thrivent Choice online catalog .

Thrivent Choice is a member-advised program that allows eligible members to recommend where Thrivent distributes part of its charitable outreach funds each year. When eligible Thrivent members direct Choice Dollars® to your organization in a particular month, Thrivent reviews the recommendation and makes an electronic deposit in your organization's bank account by the 10th of the following month.

Keep Playing Baseball - California Friends of the JP4 Foundation

Keep Playing Baseball ("KPB") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in memory of Scott Heinig, a former D1 pitcher and high school coach who passed away in 2011. Scott was passionate about helping players have the opportunity to play college baseball and Keep Playing Baseball continues his effort on a national scale. 
 
T o learn more about our work, watch  this short video , visit us at  www.KeepPlayingBaseball.org  or follow us on social media.
 
Twitter: @KeepplayingBB
Facebook: Keep Playing Baseball
I nstagram: @keepplayingbaseball
Looking to Help?

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  Jeff.Huth@JP4Foundation.org


Upcoming Dates

August 12th
4th Annual Johnny Price IV Memorial Golf Tournament will take place Monday, August 12th at Legends Golf Club.

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