SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building on 15 years of partnership, the Masons of California, in affiliation with the Giants Community Fund, are proud to announce that they have raised $126,824 this season for youth development programs through their signature Masons4Mitts baseball mitt drive, marking a total of $2 million donated through MLB community foundations since Masons4Mitts was established in 2009. Since then, with this check, the Masons of California donations have provided over 59,000 mitts to boys and girls from underserved areas in Northern California through the Giants Community Fund, and more than 100,000 mitts to players across the state.
Each year, Masons4Mitts teams up with the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres to purchase real, leather baseball mitts that are given, free of charge, to young ballplayers in junior leagues across California. Through youth baseball, Masons4Mitts and its partners provide children with a safe place to play while they develop key collaboration skills, learn about health and nutrition, build productive study habits and more.
In recognition of this important milestone, the Masons of California and the Giants Community Fund hosted a special pregame celebration in advance of yesterday’s Giants-Padres game. During the pregame ceremony, the Masons of California presented a check to the Giants Community Fund on the field. Among those in attendance at this special event were:
Sean Metroka, Deputy Grand Master, Masons of California
Doug Ismail, President, California Masonic Foundation
David San Juan, Grand Master, Prince Hall Masonry
Aaron Washington, Senior Grand Warden, Prince Hall
Alexander Teodoro and Mark McNee, Board Members, California Masonic Foundation
John Feeley, Board Alumni Leadership Council Member, Giants Community Fund
Masons4Mitts is one of several ways the California Masons support youth education and development. Other philanthropic endeavors include: the Investment in Success scholarship program for high school seniors who demonstrate extraordinary potential despite difficult circumstances; their partnership with Raising A Reader to bring literacy programs to under-resourced elementary schools; and their partnership with the San Diego Padres through the Johnny Ritchey Scholarship program to support first-generation, underserved high school seniors.
About the Masons of California
Freemasonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization, guided by the enduring belief that everyone has the responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of its members by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth—within themselves and the larger world. Through Freemasonry, we make true friends, improve ourselves, and make a positive impact on our communities. The Masons of California have more than 40,000 members and more than 330 lodges located throughout the state. The California Masonic Foundation is committed to making a profound difference in our local community, and touches the lives of thousands of Californians each year. Learn more at freemason.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
About Masons4Mitts
Since 2009, Masons4Mitts has been the signature public fundraising campaign of the Masons of California. Working with community fund partners at the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, L.A. Angels, and San Diego Padres, Masons4Mitts allows members of the fraternity to donate funds to purchase and deliver high-quality, leather baseball mitts to young ballplayers throughout the state—many of whom do not have access to such equipment otherwise. Through Masons4Mitts, young players are provided with a safe place to learn and play the game, develop collaboration skills, learn about health and nutrition, build productive study habits, and more. Masons4Mitts has raised more than $2 million for youth baseball programs since 2009 and is the largest single sponsor to many of its MLB partners’ community funds. Learn more at masons4mitts.org.
About the Giants Community Fund
The Giants Community Fund uses baseball and softball to promote health, education and character development to propel youth in underserved regions to be positive forces in their communities. The Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and sustained by contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations through a number of special partnerships and fundraisers. Since its inception in 1991, the Fund has donated $40 million to community efforts and has served 400,000 youth. For additional information on the Giants Community Fund, visit giantscommunityfund.org and follow on social media - X | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Sophie Booth
sophie@ideahall.com
(562) 230-3051
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/463b5caa-28da-43c0-92a4-10f6eb1e282a
