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The New York Mets Foundation funds and promotes a variety of educational, social and athletic programs and other charitable causes. Founded in 1963, it continues its mission to invest in the future of our community, and to provide assistance to myriad organizations that benefit children and others in need.
A registered 501©3 charity, the Mets Foundation takes no portion of the funds raised to offset internal costs. The New York Mets pay 100% of the Foundation's overhead to ensure that the entirety of a donation is directed toward helping others. For more information, log on to metsfoundation.org »
The Mets Annual Welcome Home Dinner, sponsored by Consolidated Carpet, raised over $750,000 for the Mets Foundation, which distributed all proceeds to Katz Women's Hospital and Women's Health Institute of the North Shore - LIJ Health System and the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Held on April 10, the event was attended by the entire Mets organization including players and coaches. The evening featured the presentation of the Ya Gotta Believe Award to Mets starting pitcher, R.A. Dickey and concluded with an autograph session featuring the 2011 New York Mets.
The Mets host the Annual Night to Believe fundraiser, sponsored by The Frye Company, in the Big Apple Section of Citi Field to benefit Project ALS, a non-profit organization renowned for their outstanding leadership in finding and funding treatments and a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease. The event includes a pre-game reception and visit from Mets alumni. This season's event was held on Friday, June 3rd and raised $200,000. To date the Mets have raised more than $2.5 million over the past nine years for Project ALS.
Starlight Night at Citi Field, sponsored by The Mets and ARAMARK, has generated $850,000 for the Starlight Children's Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children who suffer from critical, chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The Foundation facilitates a variety of programs designed to help seriously ill children and their families cope with the pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. The event begins with a pre-game reception in the Bullpen Plaza that includes games and entertainment before guests enjoy that evening's game from the Big Apple Section of Citi Field. This season's Starlight Night at Citi Field was held on June 21st and raised over $200,000 for the Starlight Children's Foundation.
Ronald McDonald House of Long Island provides housing for families of seriously ill children undergoing critical medical treatment in area hospitals. The House provides a comfortable and supportive environment, helping families through their most difficult time.
The Mets' host an annual fundraiser in the Empire party suites for Ronald McDonald House of Long Island that has raised more than $200,000 over the past six years.
To honor the memory of Hall of Fame sportswriter Jack Lang, who covered the Mets for over 25 years for the Long Island Press and the Daily News, the Mets support this annual fundraiser hosted by his children for the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island. Jack's grandson and over 40 million Americans are affected by epilepsy.
The Mets School is Amazing program, sponsored by health insurer Emblem Health and supported by the New York City Department of Education, reinforces the benefits of education and attendance and provides middle school students the opportunity to express what they most enjoy about school. In response to Michele Obama's call to action to combat childhood obesity through exercise and nutrition in schools, this year Mets players participated in fitness programs coordinated by four New York City middle schools selected by the Department of Education.
The Mets and their broadcast television partner, PIX11, team up for the annual Weather Education Day at Citi Field in May, a special field trip program and interactive pre-game meteorology lesson hosted by PIX 11 weather experts Mr. G and Linda Church for thousands of students from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. After getting the forecast, the kids settle in for an afternoon of baseball.
The Mets welcome over 7,500 students from local elementary and middle schools for Fitness & Nutrition Education Day at Citi Field each season in June. The one-hour, pre-game program emphasizes the importance of making healthy food choices and engaging in at least one hour of active play each day.
Since its founding in 1991, the Everybody Wins! Foundation has been a leading non-profit literacy and mentoring organization, pairing caring adult volunteers with children in elementary schools for weekly reading aloud and conversation. For the past 11 years, Mets employees have been matched with the same fourth or fifth grader at PS 92 in Corona, Queens, to share lunch and a good book every week from November through May. The Mets add their own special touches to the program by arranging for a player to host a Reading Rally at the school for all of the students; a Shadow Day at Citi Field to allow reading partners to see their mentors at work; and an annual 4th grade outing to the ballpark for a ballgame.
On April 13, relief pitchers Bobby Parnell and Pedro Beato visited P.S. 92 and read aloud with 4th & 5th graders to stress the importance of literacy and the fun of reading.
The Mets/Sharp Electronics Student Athlete Leadership Conference Series trains more than 1,200 student/athletes from 35 high schools on Long Island to deliver drug and alcohol abuse prevention programming to grade school children.
Conducted at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, LI, the workshops prepare the Student Athlete Leaders for their ongoing visits with fifth graders in their school districts. This Student Athlete Leadership Team promotes positive activities such as sports while also educating students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The Mets and Citi, as part of their landmark partnership, have built on the team's longstanding relationship with the Jackie Robinson Foundation to support its education and leadership development program. The Foundation provides extensive mentoring and scholarships for college students who exemplify Jackie's humanitarian ideals and standard of excellence. The Mets established an endowed scholarship with the Foundation in 1996, which is created in perpetuity, to assist promising students in reaching their goals through a college education.
The Citi Field Kids program was launched in 2009 by Citi, the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Mets to inspire and motivate kids to reach their fullest potential. United Neighborhood Houses coordinates the selection of 1,200 area students who will hear about the life and lessons of Jackie Robinson upon their arrival at Citi Field in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars and alumni serve as tour guides before the students hear from Mets alumni and Citi representatives in the auditorium. Then it's on to an afternoon of baseball. This season's guest speakers include Mets General Manager, Sandy Alderson, and former MLB All-Star 2nd Baseman and current MLB Network commentator, Harold Reynolds.
The Mets support City Harvest in its effort to end hunger in communities throughout New York City. Throughout the year, Mets players, alumni and employees participate in various service projects that include food rescue, distribution, and education.
Island Harvest, Long Island's largest hunger relief organization, serves as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it. Their volunteers and staff "rescue," or collect, good surplus food from over 600 local restaurants, caterers, farms, and other food-related businesses for distribution to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries, and other places where those in need can access it.
The Mets' host an annual fundraiser in the Empire party suites for Island Harvest that has raised more than $200,000 over the past six years.
After each game at Citi Field, the Mets and ARAMARK help Rock & Wrap It Up! collect unsold food to deliver to area food kitchens to help feed the hungry. The Mets expanded their partnership with Rock & Wrap It Up! in 2010 by launching the Snack Wrap! Program that encourages students in Long Island schools to donate unopened snacks to the needy.
The Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance (GNYSAA) is "Serving New York City Children Through Baseball" as an umbrella organization to several metropolitan amateur baseball organizations representing 20,000 young people and 1,100 teams each year. The Mets provide financial support to citywide tournaments and programs of member organizations and team up with the Brooklyn Cyclones for the GNYSSA's annual All-Star Games for 15-16 and 17-18 year old players at MCU Park.
Check out all of the photos from the Mets involvement in Youth Baseball »
The YMCA Jr. Mets is a comprehensive youth baseball program that emphasizes athletic and social skills as well as teaching how to improve health and wellness. An eight-week initiative that has introduced thousands of young people to baseball since its inception in 2001, the Mets support its members with caps and arrange for a player and coach to lead a baseball clinic at a YMCA site and at Citi Field.
The New York Mets wheelchair softball team put on an exhibition in parking lot D on Tuesday, May 31 for Mets fans to enjoy as they entered Citi Field to watch the Mets take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game was coordinated by the Wheelchair Sports Federation, a national non-profit organization that provides opportunities for disabled adults and youth to play sports recreationally and competitively.
Carlos Beltran, Tim Byrdak, Nick Evans, Dillon Gee, Scott Hairston, Ronny Paulino, Ruben Tejada and coaches Dave Hudgens and Dan Warthen got a first-hand look at the sport, joining pre-game batting and fielding practice as they attempted to perform as well as our wheelchair Mets.
For information about how you can volunteer or participate in wheelchair sports, log on to wheelchairsportsfederation.org.
Check out all of the photos from the Wheelchair Softball Game »
TeamMets is a community volunteerism initiative that uses the interest in the Mets and their players to encourage fans to join the team in helping others. Members of the Mets front-office donate their time to events during the year, working with organizations including City Harvest, Urban Dove and the Everybody Wins! Foundation. To spread the word, the Mets produced a series of public service announcements that promoted NYC Service, Mayor Bloomberg's volunteer initiative which positions New York City as the easiest place in the world to volunteer.
On Friday February 4, Mets employees donated $1,000.00 to the American Heart Association on National Wear Red Day.
Every year, the Mets host Kids Day at Citi Field for children and families served by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New York City. The grounds crew gives the group a lesson in preparing the field before the kids take a home run dash around the bases. After a lunch break in the Modell's Clubhouse, Mets staff welcome the group to the 2K FanFest, where they enjoy the batting cage, video games, dunk tank and Mr. Met Kiddie Field.
The Acela Club became the North Pole on December 14th as the Mets hosted their annual Holiday Party for Kids at Citi Field. More than 100 children from all five boroughs of New York City were treated to lunch and a holiday inspired performance by each school. David "Santa" Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay, and Ike Davis helped hand out presents that had been selected and wrapped by Mets employees.
The Mets and the New York Blood Center thank all Mets fans for participating in their annual Summer Blood Drive on Thursday, July 7 in the Caesars Club at Citi Field. A Mets summer record of 491 units of blood were collected, which will go a long way toward helping those in need throughout the metropolitan area. Each donor received two tickets to a Mets game in August.
The New York Mets and SportsNet New York thank everyone who came to Citi Field on December 15th, for the Mets Holiday "Warm-Up" Coat Drive which was held in conjunction with New York Cares. Nearly 1,000 Mets fans donated more than 2,000 coats that will be distributed to those in need this holiday season. As a thank you, each donor received a voucher for two tickets to a 2011 Mets home game.
The New York Mets would like to thank all of this year's donors who made the 2010 Mets "Warm-Up" Holiday Coat Drive the top coat collection event, earning the event the Winter Warmth Award.
The New York Mets support the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign by sponsoring their annual Go Red for Women Luncheon in Queens and coordinating a Go Red for Women "Wear Red" fundraiser at Citi Field for employees. All monies raised through an in-office raffle are matched by the Mets Foundation.
Mets owner Fred Wilpon and private citizens created Welcome Back Veterans, a national public awareness and fundraising initiative that addresses the mental health and employment needs of America's returning war veterans and their families. MLB, Major League Baseball Advanced Media and the McCormick Foundation support the program, which strives provide returning veterans the quality medical treatment and long-term employment assistance they deserve to restart their lives and care for their families. The Mets honor a "Veteran of the Game" at each home game at Citi Field to build awareness of Welcome Back Veterans.
The Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Chevy, recognizes the player in Major League Baseball who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. In September, a nominee from each of the 30 MLB teams is announced on Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by MLB in 2002 to pay homage to the Hall of Famer's legacy. The Mets' 2010 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award was outfielder Angel Pagan.
Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit and Run -- the league's official skills competition -- is a free grass roots program which encourages youth participation and emphasizes the fun of baseball. The competitor's ability to hit, run, field and throw is tested at regional trials and compared with others in his or her age group across the United States to qualify for the National Finals held during MLB's All-Star Game. The Mets host an on-field regional competition at Citi Field each season and recognize the local winners in a pre-game ceremony.
MLB is proud to partner with Susan G. Komen for the Cure each year to "Go to Bat Against Breast Cancer," a program that incorporates numerous facets of the game on and off the field to generate awareness about breast cancer and raise funds to help fight the disease. The Honorary Bat Girl Contest extends the partnership and raises greater awareness and support for the breast cancer cause. Mother's Day games feature special in-park programs and a 'pink theme' throughout, including many players using pink bats.
Check out all of the photos from the Mets involvement in MLB Partnerships »
Major League Baseball teams up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to increase awareness and early detection of prostate cancer on Father's Day. On-field personnel wear blue wristbands, eye glare and ribbon uniform decals, blue ribbon logos appear on bases, commemorative home plates and lineup cards. A "Home Run Challenge" fundraising component is implemented during select MLB games to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
To support the growth of youth baseball and softball, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) has teamed up with MLB Baseball Clubs to organize equipment collection drives across the United States. The Mets have collected over 1,000 bats, gloves, balls and catcher's gear the past five seasons to benefit The Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance, which distributes the donations to area youth baseball organizations. The BTF also presents a grant of $5,000 to go toward the purchase of additional equipment.
This year's equipment collection drive is scheduled for September 24th. Fans are invited to bring new and used equipment, as well as make cash contributions, which will benefit local organizations. Fans can drop off all donations at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda before entering Citi Field.
In partnership with the Major League Baseball Players' Association, the Mets invite 50 underprivileged children to Citi Field where they participate in a question and answer session with Mets players. They are given tickets to the game, T-shirts and food vouchers for dinner at the ballpark.
The Mets team up with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society each year to host 100 youth at Citi Field to teach them valuable lessons regarding the importance of exercise and the dangers of steroids. The children learn exercises from the Mets training staff and participate in a question and answer session with a Mets player about the importance of living healthy.
The Mets partner with Major League Baseball umpires to offer memorable baseball game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs. Children receive a VIP experience including great seats to see the Mets at Citi Field, a goody bag of 'all things baseball', and the unique opportunity to step onto the field for a souvenir baseball and photo.
UMPS CARE Charities, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Major League Baseball umpires, created the BLUE Crew Tickets program to share the gift of baseball with children and strengthen relationships between children and the adults who aim to make a difference in their lives. More than 4,000 guests have participated in BLUE Crew Tickets since 2006. Learn more at www.UmpsCare.com
