Stingers Sponsors and Fans raise over $10,400 for Charity

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce another summer of community giving as more than $10,400 was raised for community non-profits. A variety of summer promotions including silent auctions, a charity softball game, and a Stingers 5k/1k raised dollars that directly benefited local organizations.

The 6^th annual Jerseys off our Backs Night presented by Thrivent Financial on July 30 raised a total of $5,000 for the Willmar Area Food Shelf. This amount is a new record-high surpassing the previous high set in 2013. This partnership with Thrivent Financial and the Stingers has raised over $23,000 for the Willmar Area Food Shelf the past six seasons.

“Community Involvement and giving back is a very important to our organization,” said Stingers co-owner Marc Jerzak. “With the support of Thrivent Financial and Stingers fans we were able to raise significant dollars to help families in West Central Minnesota. We can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity and commitment to the Stingers and this community,” Jerzak added.

The Stingers also partnered with the Southern Minnesota Beat Sugar Cooperative to raise funds for the Renville County Relay for Life Chapter. The Stingers starting nine wore throwback jerseys replicating the Pittsburgh Pirates uniform from 1970 as they took the field versus the Rochester Honkers on July 9. Fans were able to place bids on the jerseys during the game raising over $1,875 for the Renville County Relay for Life.

The Stingers other notable charitable ventures during the season included the Community Christian School Night with North American State Bank, the 5^th annual Get Stung with the Run 5k/1k, and the 2^nd Annual Guns and Hoses Charity Softball game.

The 3^rd annual Community Christian School Night presented by North American State Bank created a unique fundraising event that raised dollars for the school through proceeds from ticket sales, Stingers fan experiences, and $100 donated for every run the Stingers scored. The Stingers scored seven runs versus Duluth on June 8 and $700 was raised for the Community Christian School on behalf of North American State Bank and the Stingers.

The 5^th Annual Get Stung with the Run presented by Hansen Advertising, Kandi Dental Center, Subway, West Central Tribune, Cub Foods and Snap Fitness had over 200 participants compete in the 1K Kids Fun Run and the 5K Run/Walk. Each race started and ended at Bill Taunton stadium and home plate represented the finish line for all runners. The entire event raised over $2,000 for the Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA Mentorship Program.

The Stingers also partnered with members of the Willmar Police and Fire Departments for the 2^nd Annual Guns and Hoses charity softball game at Bill Taunton Stadium. The game ended similar to 2014 with the Police Officers defeating the Fire Fighters for a second straight year. The event raised more than $850 for the Willmar Area Community Foundation and Tri4evr.

The Stingers will open their 7^th season of Northwoods League baseball in late May of 2016. Season tickets for the 2016 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

The 2016 Stingers season is presented by Marcus Construction. From start to finish Marcus Construction will make your job easier and build a facility you will be proud of.