Red Sox Foundation to honor veterans at Saturday’s game versus Rays
Home Base Florida, a local nonprofit founded by the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital dedicated to supporting Veterans and Military Families impacted by the invisible wounds of war, invites the media to a celebration of the Red Sox Foundation partnership with Home Base Florida that will honor Home Base Veteran participants and their Families for their service, and its community champions. During the Spring Training game on March 7 at 1:05 pm at Fenway South, when the Boston Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays, more than 300 Veterans, their Families and Home Base community champions will be in attendance as the Home Base Florida mission is on display through a variety of activities.
The Red Sox Foundation donated more than 200 tickets for Home Base Florida Veteran and Family participants who will be given the opportunity to walk onto the field to be acknowledged for their selfless sacrifice during the pre-game ceremony. During the ceremony, fans in the packed stadium will be introduced to the Home Base mission. Two Home Base Florida Veteran participants and their Families will be given the honor to kick things off by throwing the first pitch and saying, “Play ball!”
Immediately following the pre-game ceremony, King and Mendez along with their Families will join Home Base Florida senior leadership for a special reception with a group of 100 community champions. Reception guests will include supporters, board members, representatives from Home Base Florida’s strategic partners as well as the event’s presenting sponsor Headpinz.
Throughout the game, Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster, will personally visit the Veterans and supporters sitting in the Home Base sections further shining a spotlight on its mission. In addition to making the Home Base participants and community champions feel appreciated, Red Sox Foundation will also provide Home Base Florida with a resource table and tent at their Community Corner near the Fenway South entrance and concessions giving opportunities for the public to learn more about the Home Base mission.
During the seventh inning stretch, announcers will scan the Home Base Veteran and Family section and showcase the hometown heroes in attendance recognizing them for their service.