Marlins in the spirit of giving

Club helping those in need in South Florida

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

MIAMI -- Throughout their incredible World Series run, the Florida Marlins were on the receiving end of praise from the local community.

With the holiday season beginning, the organization is doing its share of giving back to South Florida.

 

Representatives from the team, including players, helped distribute turkeys to the needy in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties on Tuesday.

 

In December, All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell and his wife, Bertica, are again taking part in an adopt-a-family program for the holidays.

 

It's been a whirlwind year for the Marlins, on and off the field.

 

 

Angela Smith, the team's community affairs manager, has overseen a number of charitable efforts, including many that didn't receive much recognition.

 

Since their inception in 1993, the Marlins have engaged in numerous community programs.

 

"A professional baseball team is in a unique position to make a difference in many lives," Marlins president David Samson writes in the team's community affairs report. "Our public profile makes our players role models, while our access to fans and the media help us further our goals to be community servants. It is our responsibility to do as much as we can to help as many people as possible throughout South Florida."

 

Whether it is handing out turkeys before Thanksgiving or chipping in for families less fortunate, the Marlins are lending a helping hand.

 

Lowell's adopt-a-family initiative is one of the highlights the team is doing off the field in December.

 

"Mike will be matched up with a family, and whatever the family needs -- a holiday dinner, gifts for the kids -- he will help out with," Smith said. "Last year, the family he was associated with needed bunk beds. They had two small children, then a new baby. Mike and Bertica purchased a bunk bed for them."

 

Also in December, the Marlins are committed to an adopt-a-classroom program. Working with Holmes Elementary School in the Liberty City section of Miami, the Marlins are donating $500 so teachers can purchase items for their classrooms. For example, if the classroom needs a new globe, the contribution would go toward that.

 

The Marlins have adopted 57 classrooms in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, making the organization South Florida's largest supporter of the program.

 

"Since we won the World Series, there is a lot of excitement in the community," Smith said. "We've had a number of calls for memorabilia and interest in working with us. Some of the initial hysteria after winning the World Series has died down, but it will pick up closer to Spring Training."

 

Along with the turkey distributions in the three large South Florida counties, in December, the team is conducting three toy drives. Each drive receives a $5,000 donation.

 

Some of the community related highlights for 2003 were:

 

 

Josh Beckett Youth Baseball Tournament: Teams from all over South Florida participated in Beckett's baseball tournament, played in May at Grape Land Park in Miami. Over 600 kids, mostly 12-and-under, took part in the event, started by Beckett, the World Series MVP.

 

Marlins StrikeZone Summer Reading Series: A program that encourages children to read throughout the summer and have the opportunity to receive incentives from the Marlins based on their success.

 

Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities: RBI offers children 13-18 who are from disadvantaged areas the opportunity to participate in organized baseball and softball. Florida's two RBI teams, the Junior and Senior division squads, each advanced to the World Series in Houston.

 

Dinner On The Diamond: A fan favorite that raises tens of thousands of dollars, players dine on the field with fans. The proceeds go to serving the homeless.

 

Red's Rally Caps: Catcher Mike Redmond's program lends support to people whose lives are touched by cancer.

 

A.J. Burnett's Play It Safe/NCMEC: Since 2001, Burnett has joined forces with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Florida Division. Photos of missing children are shown on the stadium big screen at each game. Thus far, 42 children pictured have been recovered.

Burnett's program has gained in popularity, and sparked a visit to a Marlins game from John Walsh of America's Most Wanted.

 

In fact, Walsh filmed an episode of the popular Fox TV show at Pro Player Stadium.

 

"To me, it's a very important cause," Smith said. "It's a no-brainer. We have thousands of people here each night, and to get pictures of these children in front of their faces is the least we can do."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sad that it takes a MLB.com beat writer to give us this story rather then the team's own media.

the media in miami only shows the heat and dolphins, always skipping over the marlins and panthers who do more than the heat and dolphins year round with schools and promoting their sports to young people in South Florida.

 

The Panthers are in season so they get word out on telecasts, but the Marlins have no voice during the offseason to tell other than the website.

 

We really need a new radio flagship that allows us to have a weekly radio show year round about the Marlins kind of like Clear Channel's KTRH/Astroline in Houston with the Astros.

 

I am surprised NBC6 didn't mention anything. They usually do since they are partners with the Marlins and Panthers. PAX 35 reairs NBC 6 News @ 11 weekdays at 11:30.

Angela Smith is the just best -

 

Nancy Olson, too (from the Marlins Community Foundation).

 

BR

Two years ago, it was Eric ?? What's his name that played for us?? LOL!!

Owens?

Dave Berg came in one year and he and Matt Mantei came in the next. Signed autographs and I even got replica 1997 World Series ring from Henry when he came that first year (1998).

 

Panthers and Fusion also came to my school in that time. Dolphins and Heat never ever came, probably why I am not such a big fan of theirs as I am with the Marlins and Panthers and as I was with the Fusion. I miss Hudson

It's too bad stories like this don't get more pub. Instead, they go to loudmouths like Keyshawn and Sapp.