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Press Releases“Play Ball” Means Something Very Special for Local Non-ProfitHard Work & Great Programs Helped Insure Another Year of Empowering West Englewood Kids Chicago, IL, May 17, 2010 – The major league baseball season has kicked off and so have local, neighborhood leagues. One league in particular is in the West Englewood neighborhood, where Play for Life Intl (PFLI) has been running its programs for the last three years. After a long winter indoors working on drills to improve their baseball skills, it is time to move outside. League play for the 8-14 year olds in this tough south side Chicago neighborhood has started on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Next month practice and league play will move to five days a week. Many of PFLI’s programs were in jeopardy of being cancelled due to lack of funding. But the relentless hard work by its volunteers and board members has paid off. Ultimately the kids in the program are truly the real winners. After months of planning and soliciting silent auction donations, on April 9th PFLI hosted its third annual Season Opener fundraiser. With a record number of ticket sales, guests enjoyed an evening complete with a Best of the Ball Park cooking competition where Sean Cunneen, executive chef at Café Too, won Fan Favorite and Judges Choice awards. “We believe it is important to empower our kids and have them be advocates for their own change. To this end, each year, we have children in PFLI programs attend the fundraiser and sell raffle tickets, making them a part of their own fundraising,” stated Eun Jung Decker, Executive Director and co-founder of the non-profit. “The kids engaged with the guests, who are able to see firsthand how our programs are instrumental in providing positive options to idle time and teaching them to have an active role in their future.” During the fundraiser, PFLI also presented its 2010 Game Changer Award (sponsored by BuildCentral, Inc.) to Greg Albright, one of the organization’s longest-serving volunteers. “Albright exemplifies the characteristics we want our children to strive for, and he is a great example for everyone around him, kids and other volunteers alike,” declared Colin Decker, co-founder. “He has dedicated a tremendous amount of time over the past three years to PFLI, and we wouldn't be the organization we are today without him.” In addition to a record fundraiser, PFLI recently received several endowments and grants. One to note is from The Dell Foundation. The organization was awarded a $5,000 grant to help further their sports programs. Press Contacts: Sheri Rosenbaum ________________________________________________________________________________ Big League Chef’s Face Off in Best of the Ball Park Fundraiser ContestNonprofit Play for Life’s International Third Annual Season Opener Announced
Chicago, IL, March 17, 2010 -- Play for Life International (PFLI) will hold its third annual Season Opener fundraiser on Friday, April 9, 2010. This year’s event, entitled “The Best of the Ball Park”, will be held at Galleria Marchetti at 825 W. Erie in Chicago and features four of Chicago’s hottest chefs facing off in a cooking contest, creating their own twist on ball park fare. Guests will be able to sample each chef’s creation, and at the end of the night, one chef will be declared the winner. But the real winners will be PFLI and the children it serves.
Lack of purpose and idle time can be dangerous for any child, but it is disastrous for a child living in a neighborhood like West Englewood in Chicago, recently on the FBI’s list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States. PFLI gives these at-risk kids opportunities that can change their lives.
PFLI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that uses sports to engage and empower at-risk youth. It’s not just about winning, it’s about empowerment: the power to live a positive life, the power to treat others with respect, and the power to make responsible choices. Every day, PFLI kids are reminded that they’re not victims of circumstances – they’re contenders.
“The children in our programs are a constant source of inspiration,” stated Eun Jung Decker, co-founder and president of PFLI. “Despite the tough realities, like worrying about how to make ends meet and being surrounded by violence, our children keep showing up to play. They keep making the right choices and look for ways to better themselves.”
Unfortunately, like many not-for-profits, the economy has caused a reduction in corporate and private donations, and PFLI is struggling to keep its programs going. Fundraising has become its main focus outside of its sports programs. “We are thrilled executive chefs Troy Graves from Eve, Paul Virant from Vie, Cary Taylor from The Southern, and Sean Cunneen from Café Too have donated their culinary skills and time to help us. In addition to the cooking contest, Season Opener guests will enjoy complimentary Goose Island beer, wine and Dewar’s cocktails. There will also be a chance to bid on exciting silent auction items like Southwest Airlines tickets, White Sox tickets, and a Brian Urlacher signed football. Raffle tickets for valuable prizes will be available for purchase.”
Tickets to the event can be purchased on the organization’s web site at www.playforlife.org. ________________________________________________________________________________ Baseball Season Comes Early for Kids in West Englewood NeighborhoodChicago (West Englewood), IL, Jan. 19, 2010 - It may be below freezing outside with snow on the ground, but baseball season has started for some special 8-15 year old kids in the West Englewood area. Play for Life International’s (PFLI) winter baseball program is held every Saturday afternoon from January to early April in Chicago. Lack of purpose and idle time can be dangerous for any child, but it is disastrous for a child living in a neighborhood like West Englewood, recently on the FBI’s list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States. PFLI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses sports to engage and empower at-risk youth. Beginning its third year, PFLI has conducted winter baseball clinics and summer baseball programs for the kids in this neighborhood. “Every Saturday we get about 20-30 kids from the neighborhood eager to participate in two hours of games and drills that help to improve their baseball skills as well as teach sportsmanship,” stated Colin Decker, co-founder and coach for PFLI. “Each week, PFLI brings out a number of great volunteer coaches, most with a collegiate baseball background, who provide a very structured and positive environment. Several of the older kids are given assistant coaching opportunities to help mentor the younger players. This helps them build self esteem and give them a positive role model position. Best of all, we give these kids a safe place to come play and just be kids.” Unfortunately, like many not for profits, the economy has caused a reduction in corporate and private donations, and PFLI is struggling to keep its programs going. Fundraising has become their number one focus outside of the baseball programs. One upcoming event is their Third Annual Season Opener: The Best of the Ball Park, on Friday, April 9, 2010. The event will feature four of Chicago’s hottest chefs who will face-off in the Best of the Ball Park cooking contest, creating their own twist on ball park fare. Guests will be able to sample each chef’s creation, and, at the end of the night, one chef will be declared the winner of The Best of the Ball Park. But the real winners will be PFLI and the children it serves. |
