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2016 Charity Challenge Raising the Fundraising Bar

By Christian Heimall, 01/31/16, 9:00AM EST

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2016 Participants Announced

  • New and returning charities join for sixth consecutive year
  • Opportunity to sell 50-50 raffle tickets before the start of the season
  • Additional cash prize for charity challenge winners present during announcement at the game
  • Call 845-364-0009 or email info@rocklandboulders.com for more information on the Charity Challenge

(POMONA, NY) – For the sixth consecutive year, Active International/Rockland Boulder’s Charity Challenge will take place this spring. Thirteen organizations were chosen to participate this season, including five charities new to the competition.

A season-long promotion, the Charity Challenge was conceived as a mechanism for the Boulders and Active to team up in supporting local charities. Each year, thirteen charities are chosen to participate. They are able to fundraise at the stadium, talk to fans about their program, sell their merchandise and make use of a luxury suite provided by Sterling National Bank. The charity that raises the most funds during their event returns the following season’s opening day for another fundraising opportunity.

A new rule this year will help revamp the Charity Challenge, increasing the amount of funds each participating organization is able to earn. Instead of the non-profit benefitting from electronic 50-50 tickets sold only during their game, 50-50 tickets can now be sold from the day the Challenge begins at the end of February, up through their assigned contest. This allows each organization the opportunity to sell 50-50 raffle tickets for months at other events in the spring, rather than just on one day, helping increase the likely value of that day’s 50-50 winnings.

The Boulders make 50-50 ticket packages available to the organizations and encourage 50-50 holders to be present the night of the game to be part of the excitement of large jackpots. Although 50-50 winners need not be present, the Challenge will have additional cash prize of $500 for Charity Challenge night winners who are in attendance when the winning number is drawn.

“We believe that expanding the length of time 50-50 tickets may be sold will dramatically increase interest in the Charity Challenge” said Boulders Executive Vice President & General Manager, Shawn Reilly. “It will be very dramatic and exciting to watch the jackpots build and build to some very meaningful amounts for the non-profits and the lucky fans who win. The    winners are announced during the eighth inning of the game.”

Joe Allen, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs and Employee Communications at Active, echoed Reilly’s sentiments. “The goal of the program is to increase visibility and make money for the non-profit community. There are so many important organizations involved in the Charity Challenge. Having the ability to sell 50-50’s for months leading up to the game will provide real impetus for the non-profits to reach out to their constituents.”

Palisades Credit Union Park has brought professional baseball to Rockland County in a friendly, easy access venue that truly is fun for the whole family. On a summer night there is nothing that compares to a baseball game and with this stadium’s convenient and easily accessible location, it really makes the trip stress free. The sounds of the game are unmistakably present in this ballpark –and what is better than enjoying America’s pastime during a fundraiser evening!

New to the Challenge this year are United Women of Rockland; Meals on Wheels; VCS; American Cancer Society; and Keep Rockland Beautiful.

United Women of Rockland is an organization set up to help women who are sick and in need through fundraising efforts and donations. When a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, these women knew they had to help her. While that woman was sick, her friends noticed a large void in the area of actual support (monetary as well as support) for women. This is the reason they created United Women of Rockland Inc.—essentially to pay it forward. And they plan on using the funds raised from the Challenge to do just that – pay it forward.

 In 1974, Rochelle Berger, founder and former CEO of Meals on Wheels, recognized the need for home delivered meals in Rockland County. With a small grant from the National Council of Jewish Women, Mrs. Berger set the wheels in motion by recruiting and organizing a consortium of volunteers who, in that first year, delivered nearly 10,000 meals. Today, Meals on Wheels now has a staff of more than 80 employees, over 500 volunteers, and has delivered more than 9 million meals since its inception.

Since 1970, VCS Inc. Volunteer Counseling Services of Rockland County has pioneered the innovative use of community lay people to do high-level counseling for clients with a wide range of serious social problems.  They are excited to be a part of the Charity Challenge this year and will be creating a “Boulders Buzz” to all their supporters.

American Cancer Society plans on using funds from the Challenge for their programs “Road to Recovery” in Rockland County where volunteers drive cancer patients to and from treatment if they cannot find a ride; “Look Good, Feel Better” a Program where licensed cosmetologists work with women undergoing cancer treatment on how to work with the changes that chemo and radiation can cause on skin and hair; 24/7 hotline where survivors, friends and families turn to have questions answered.

Keep Rockland Beautiful leads efforts to clean, protect, and beautify Rockland’s environment by educating and empowering people to share in the care and stewardship of our communities. They will use the funds to help fund their environmental education programs.

Established in 1969, Home Aides of Rockland, Inc. will use funds raised towards programs and services which assist frail elderly Rockland seniors; those coping with chronic illness and the disabled.

Hi Tor Animal Care Center envisions a place of refuge for every neglected, abandoned or abused domestic and companion animal in Rockland County and works tirelessly to make sure this happens every day.  Funds raised will go their general operating account.

People to People, Rockland’s primary hunger relief organization and emergency food distribution site where 95% of funds raised go directly to program support. Currently, People to People provides more than 1,400 Rockland households with monthly food packages.

Make a Wish Hudson Valley adheres to the mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Funds raised will go toward making wishes to the over 140 current pending wishes.

Founded in 1924, The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest volunteer health organization dedicated to building lives free of cardiovascular disease and funds raised from the Challenge will assist in this mission.

 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, the winner of the 2015 Charity Challenge will be back Opening Day. The mission of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers and to raise awareness through their Adopt-A-Child, Safe on the Sidelines and Guardian Angel Programs.

Jawonio is the premiere provider of lifespan services in the Hudson Valley of NYS for individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and chronic medical conditions. Their mission is to advance the independence, well-being and equality of people with disabilities or special needs and with the Challenge Funds they will continue the work that they have done since 1947.

COPS Children of Promise Stables provides professional equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for both children and adults with special needs through a diversified equestrian riding program. Founded in 2001, they are a first-class facility designed to foster positive emotional growth, independence and improve the physical and social well-being of their clients. Funds will be used to continue what they do best.

 Heroes and Cool Kids is an evidence based school mentoring program where former professional athletes serve as “trainers” to the “Hero” high school student role models. The “Heroes” work to inspire the young “Cool” kids. They focus on bullying and cyber-bullying, childhood obesity, drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention. Funds raised will be used to help support schools who have not been able to afford to participate in the Program.

2016 Charity Challenge Dates

Thursday        May 19              Friends of Jaclyn

Sunday             June 5               Hi Tor Animal Shelter

Thursday        June 16             Heroes and Cool Kids

Friday               June 17             Home Aides of Rockland

Tuesday           June 21             Keep Rockland Beautiful

Thursday        July 14               Meals on Wheels

Friday               July 22                American Heart Association

Monday           August 8            Children of Promise Stable

Wednesday   August 10          Make-A-Wish

Thursday        August 11          Jawonio

Friday               August 19          United Women of Rockland

Friday               August 26          American Cancer Society

Thursday        September 1     VCS, Inc.

Friday               September 2     People to People

Thursday May 19th

Thursday June 16th

Tuesday June 21st

Friday July 22nd

Wednesday August 10th

Friday August 19th

Thursday September 1st

Sunday June 5th

Friday June 17th

Thursday July 14th

Monday August 8th

Thursday August 11th

Friday August 26th

Friday September 2nd