One of the best examples of the Orioles reaching out into the community is when Orioles players themselves appear at various functions and events in our neighborhoods. Even the Oriole Bird has "flown" to over 200 destinations in the community since the 2008 season. This year, fans have had the opportunity to meet their favorite players including Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones, as well as several new Orioles including Nolan Reimold, Brad Bergesen and Matt Wieters, at locations throughout Birdland. Find out where your favorite current or former Orioles are appearing next.
The Orioles teamed with the Maryland State Department of Education for the 2009 Summer Reading Club, a program designed to encourage and reward area youth who commit to reading throughout the summer. Beginning in June, children from elementary school age through high school were able to register at any Maryland Public Library and receive a Reading Log that guided them through the summer reading program. Kids who complete the Reading Log will receive prizes including free tickets to an Orioles home game. Over the last two years, more than 150,000 students participated in the Summer Reading Program.
For the 2008-09 school year, the Orioles and Baltimore Ravens joined forces with Baltimore City Schools to create the Breakfast Breaks program. The program provides thousands of less fortunate city school students with boxed breakfasts, each branded with logos and fun activities from the teams.
OriolesREACH teamed up with Baltimore City Public Schools this year to launch "Learning with the Orioles," a comprehensive summer learning program teaching math, reading, science and social studies skills to nearly 14,000 students at 84 city public elementary and middle schools.
Written by City Schools teachers and Child First Authority, Inc. curriculum specialists, the program blends skills from each academic discipline for each grade level with facts and games related to the Orioles and baseball. It represents a new style of curriculum for City Schools, one that integrates several different academic subjects into a program that is educational, fun and includes enrichment activities, including a visit to Camden Yards at the end of the summer session.
In recognition of participating students, the Orioles provided more than 7,000 complimentary tickets and welcomed 150 students to join City School CEO Dr. Andres A. Alonso in a pre-game ceremony at Oriole Park. Current and former players and the Oriole Bird have also made appearances at schools in Baltimore City, and the organization has recognized outstanding City Schools teachers and students in pre-game ceremonies at Camden Yards.
On Saturday, April 25, OriolesREACH teamed up with the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks to hold a baseball clinic at the Bloomsbury Community Center in Catonsville for children ages 6-14 and adult coaches. Current Orioles relievers Danys Baez and Matt Albers provided instruction along with former O's Paul Blair, Joe Durham, Rick Krivda, Tim Norris, and Tim Nordbrook.
Manager Dave Trembley spoke to an assembly of nearly 50 kids at the Baltimore Freedom Academy on May 13. Trembley was joined by All-Star center fielder Adam Jones and shortstop Robert Andino to talk about their achievements and success, and the hard work it takes to achieve your dreams.
The Orioles visited the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC on May 22 before their game in Washington against the Nationals. Several players spent the day meeting wounded soldiers, signing autographs, handing out souvenirs, and thanking those who sacrificed so much for their country. One soldier was chosen to throw out the first pitch at Oriole Park on May 26, and hundreds of soldiers have attended games at Oriole Park this season as guests of the organization.
On Saturday, June 13, the Orioles hosted their annual youth clinic at Carroll Park in Baltimore City with 300 pre-selected Baltimore City youngsters. Orioles Adam Jones and Robert Andino offered instruction along with O's coaches Dave Jauss and John Shelby. Former Orioles Paul Blair, Bill Swaggerty, Al Bumbry, and Tim Nordbrook were on hand as well to instruct kids in pitching, batting, baserunning and throwing. The Orioles provided tickets to that night's game for all children attending the clinic.
This season, OriolesREACH once again teamed up with the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Baltimore City Fire Department to host a series of American Red Cross Blood Drives. Participants received exclusive gifts such as a Boog Powell "Baltimore" t-shirt as well as free tickets to an upcoming Orioles game.
The Orioles hosted a series of Orioles Baseball Summer Camps in July and August. Designed for kids ages 7-16, the camps gave children the opportunity to receive baseball instruction from qualified professionals with years of experience coaching and playing at youth, high school, collegiate and professional levels. Each camp included a visit from at least one current and one former Orioles player, including Matt Wieters, Jim Johnson and Ty Wigginton.
Camps were held at Hereford High School, Roaring Run Park in Finksburg, and The Park School in Baltimore. Each participant received an autograph and a photo opportunity with Orioles guests and also received an Orioles t-shirt and Junior Orioles Dugout Club membership, which included free admission to several Orioles games this summer.
Funded by the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation, the Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (RBI) League was founded to help Baltimore City kids build healthy self esteem while learning baseball skills in a fun and safe environment. In addition to sponsoring the summer-long league for 17 teams, the Orioles hosted the championship games at Oriole Park for both the Junior and Senior divisions on June 19.
On July 28, Orioles players Brian Roberts, Jeremy Guthrie and Gregg Zaun "stepped up to the plate" to compete in the team's first ever Orioles Cook-Off at the ESPN Zone to benefit the Maryland Food Bank. Zaun's Chicken Enchiladas recipe won the prize, while cash and food donations were collected to support area soup kitchens and food pantries.
Last December, pitchers Dennis Sarfate, Chris Ray and Brian Burres joined the Oriole Bird and representatives from the Baltimore Ravens for a shopping spree to help underprivileged families in our community. Families were given gift cards at the Pikesville Target store and accompanied by a player to help shop for holiday presents. The Orioles and Ravens also partnered with Chick-fil-A to provide dinner for the families.
On December 4, 2008, several current and former Orioles teamed up to host students from Graceland Park Elementary School at the ESPN Zone in Baltimore for the 30th Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party. Players served free food and drinks to the children while 1983 World Series MVP and current MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey once again played the role of Santa Claus, handing out presents to the participants. The children also joined the players upstairs in the Sports Arena for free games and activities.
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