Major League Baseball Players Go To Bat For Youth (NAPSA)—Anational charity and the Major League Baseball Players Trust have launched a national youth initiative to inspire and train the next generation of volunteers. Administered by Volunteers of America and the Major League Baseball Players Trust, the Action Team initiative was created to encourage young people throughout the United States to volunteer in their communities. Action Teams, consisting of Major League baseball players and area high school student Team Captains, are working together in Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Portland (Maine), San Francisco and Seattle to encourage young people to get involved in their communities by volunteering. “The Action Teams are proving to people everywhere that you don’t have to be a celebrity to have a positive impact on someone’slife or to make a difference in your community,” said Eric Chavez of the Oakland Athletics. “All Major Leaguersare thrilled to be working with Volunteers of America and high school students across the country to help inspire youth to get involved helping the needy. Together, we’re committed to increasing the level of volunteerism amongour nation’s youth.” Prior to its launch as a national initiative, the Action Team concept was tested and developed in select locations beginning in 2003. To date, the pilot program has inspired over 5,000 young people to volunteer, assisting over 31,000 th Major League baseball players and area high school students are encouraging young people to get involved in their communities by volunteering. people in need through Volunteers of America’s programs that serve at-risk children and youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, homeless individuals and families, and manyothers. Major League baseball players involved with the Action Teams include: Alex Cora, David Ortiz and Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox; Mark Teixeira and Michael Young of the Texas Rangers; Cory Sullivan of the Colorado Rockies; Curtis Granderson and Nate Robertson of the Detroit Tigers; Lew Ford and Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins; Carlos Delgado of the New York Mets; Eric Chavez, Mark Kotsay and Huston Street of the Oakland Athletics; Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies; Matt Morris and Randy Winn of the San Francisco Giants; and Raul Ibanez and J. J. Putz of the Seattle Mariners. For more information, visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com/Action Team or www. VolunteersofAmer ica.org.
