(Wisconsin Rapids, WI) – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League and local businesses teamed up this summer to raise money for non-profit organizations during the 2011 season.  Unique promotions during the summer with the Rafters have raised money for various local organizations that surround the Wisconsin Rapids area communities.

“We want to send a special thank you to our corporate partners and our fans for being very generous in their contributions to these local organizations throughout the year,” said Rafters general manager Liz Kern.

The Rafters teamed up with Marshfield Clinic this summer to provide to local youth baseball organizations based on the Rafters on-field success.  Marshfield Clinic made a charitable donation for every double, triple, and home run hit by the Rafters this summer, benefitting multiple area little league organizations including WRYSA, Vesper, Pittsville, Nekoosa, Rudolph, and the Gary Varsho League.

This season, every home run hit by a Rafters player at Witter Field again meant a bit more than just tacking another run on the scoreboard.  Thanks to West Bend Mutual Insurance, a charitable contribution of $50 was made to Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. every time a Rafters player circled the bases at historic Witter Field. Lester & Smart Insurance also added an additional contribution for the cause.  The Rafters ended up hitting at total of 28 home runs at Witter Field in 2011.

The Rafters held Fey Printing “Turn Back the Clock Night” on July 11th, with all Rafters players sporting jerseys to commemorate the Rapids Twins teams of the past.  All of the game-worn jerseys were auctioned off following the game against the Madison Mallards, with proceeds from the auction benefitting the Witter Field Baseball History Committee.  The committee hopes to use the funds to produce a mural to permanently hang at Witter Field.

Aside from bringing in elite talent from around the nation to showcase on the baseball diamond, the 2011 Marshfield Clinic Northwoods League All-Star Game also provided an opportunity to raise funds for a newly formed organization.  The All-Star Game jersey’s were auctioned off to benefit the Northwoods League Foundation, which was formed in early 2010 as a channel for the Northwoods League to further achieve its goal of enriching the quality of life in its member communities, with the ultimate goal of making them all finer places to live.

On August 6th the Rafters partnered with Marshfield Clinic to hold “Cancer Awareness Night” at the ballpark.  As part of this promotion, Rafters players wore pink jerseys, hats, and socks in the contest against the Waterloo Bucks.  Pink bats were also used for this special occasion.  The Rafters hosted a silent auction during the game and fans were able to bid on the game-worn uniforms, with proceeds benefitting the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.  The jerseys were autographed by the Rafters players and presented, after the game, to the highest bidders from a silent auction.