(Willmar, MN) – The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League and local businesses teamed up this summer and raised $11,470 for charitable organizations during the 2013 season. A combination of new and annual summer promotions raised dollars for five non-profit organizations that serve the Willmar Lakes Area community.
“The funds that were raised this summer were great, a special thanks to our community partners and fans being generous to these five important organizations,” said Willmar Stingers Co-Owner Ryan Voz.
The Stingers and North American State Bank kicked of the fundraising effort with a promotion benefiting the Community Christian School. For every run that was scored by the Stingers on June 10th, $100 was donated to the Community Christian School. The Stingers ended up collecting 13 runs and as a result $1,300 was raised.
The Stingers, along with sponsors Rice Memorial Hospital, Hansen Advertising, Central Lakes Cooperative, Cub Foods, Kandi Dental Center, West Central Tribune, and Subway presented the 3rd Annual “Get Stung with the Run” 1K/5K. More than 250 individuals participated in the event, raising $3,535 for the Mentorship Program at the YMCA in Willmar.
“The fundraiser for one of our programs was amazing,” YMCA Executive Director Theresa Wittenberg said. “With the help of donors and the Stingers, these dollars will help with our volunteer mentors and serves children in our community.”
The Stingers & Thrivent Financial for Lutherans presented the 4th annual “Jerseys off our Back Night”. Fans bid on player jerseys during the game with all proceeds benefiting the Willmar Lakes Area Food Shelf. The jersey auction totaled $4,350 for the food shelf and currently $15,555 has been raised on behalf of the Stingers and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans during the past four years.
In conjunction with Rice Home Medical, pink bats were auctioned off during a game against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Similar to the jerseys, fans had a chance to bid on the bats throughout the game that evening and a total of $1,510 was raised for the local American Cancer Society chapter.
A new promotion this year was the partnership with the Hawk Creek Animal Shelter of Willmar. The partnership centered on the number of home runs that the Stingers players hit at Bill Taunton Stadium during the 2013 season. For each home run hit, the Stingers would donate $25. During the summer, 31 home runs were hit at the Bee Hive, bringing the amount raised for the Animal Shelter to $775.
The Stingers saw over 36,800 fans come through the gates at Bill Taunton Stadium to witness the fourth season of Northwoods League Baseball in Willmar. The Stingers are members of the largest summer collegiate league in the country. For more information regarding this release and the upcoming season presented by Charter – www.charter.com, please call 320-222-2010 or visit WillmarStingers.com.
