The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League and local businesses teamed up this summer to raise money for non-profit organizations during the 2013 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 Vice President Liz Kern.
The Rafters teamed up with Marshfield Clinic again 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 Marshfield Little 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 donated to the South Wood County YMCA every time a Rafters player circled the bases at historic Witter Field. Lester & Smart Insurance also added an additional $25 contribution for every home run. The Rafters ended up hitting a total of 35 home runs at Witter Field in 2013.
At every Wednesday home game this summer, the Boys and Girls Club sold cranberry colored tennis balls to fans for the chance to compete in the “Rubi Reds Cranberry Toss” on-field promotion. All fans had an opportunity to purchase the cranberry colored tennis balls that were tossed onto the field, in between one of the innings, with the goal of making it into a kiddie pool on the field. Winners each game were eligible to win a Rubi Reds gift card. All proceeds from the tennis ball toss were donated to the Wisconsin Rapids Boys and Girls Club, courtesy of Rubi Reds. Rubi Reds is a business which packages and sells delicious, premium cranberry products and is located at 4081 8th Street in Wisconsin Rapids.
“It was our honor to be a part of this special Rafters promotion benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area,” said one of the Rubi Reds owners, on behalf of Team Rubi Reds. “We can think of no better way to give back to our community than to help promote an organization which supports our youth, their academic success, and encourages good character, citizenship, and a healthy lifestyle. We wish them all the best in their new home!”
The Rafters again partnered with Incourage Community Foundation this year by donating $1 from every bag of cotton candy sold to the community fireworks fund. The Incourage Community Foundation mission is to empower local people and organizations in ways that create opportunities for all. The staff and board are using this strategy in community-wide efforts to transform the local economy, culture, and invigorate civic engagement in southern Wood County’s rural cities, villages, and towns.
On June 13th the Rafters hosted Advanced Disposal “Summertime St. Patty’s Night”. Along with the Irish theme around the ballpark, food specials and green beer, players wore green uniforms to highlight the event and were auctioned off following the game. All proceeds benefitted the Wisconsin Rapids Boys & Girls Club.
The Rafters held Fey Printing “Turn Back the Clock Night” on July 18th, with all Rafters players sporting white jerseys to commemorate the Rapids Twins teams of the past. All of the game-worn jerseys were auctioned off following the game against the Wisconsin Woodchucks, with proceeds from the auction benefitting the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Bridge Lighting Committee. The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Bridge Lighting Committee is currently working to raise funds in hopes of providing lighting below the Grand Avenue bridge in Wisconsin Rapids.
On August 2nd the Rafters partnered with Schierl Tire & Service to hold a Neon Night at the ballpark. Throughout the night fans could purchase neon t-shirts to wear at the game. All t-shirts proceeds went to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portage and Wood County.
On August 4th the Rafters partnered with Marshfield Clinic to hold “Cancer Awareness Day” at the ballpark. As part of this promotion, Rafters players wore pink jerseys, hats, and socks in the contest against the Madison Mallards. 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.
Prior to the Rafters final two home games of the season, the Rafters partnered with Element Mobile to sponsor a country concert featuring Josh Thompson at Witter Field. It was a great evening to lie in the outfield grass at Witter Field and enjoy some country tunes for a great cause. Proceeds from the concert benefitted the Wisconsin Rapids Boys & Girls Club.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
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