THANK YOU BANDITS FANS!!

Chicago Bandits fans should have left the ballpark last week with a very good feeling, and not just because of 5 consecutive Bandits wins. The totals are in and the first four Bandits giveback nights have been deemed a success, for the donations and contributions to non-profit organizations from Chicago Bandits fans were numerous.

Wednesday July 15 saw the Bandits host a Walter Payton Toy Drive for the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation as part of the Christmas in July event. Santa made a surprise visit to the ballpark to thank fans for their early Holiday generosity. The 52 new toys that were collected will be distributed to abused, neglected, and underprivileged children throughout Illinois during the 2009 Holiday Season. Bandits fans also raised $26.00 in monetary donations from collection boxes at the ticket booth and concession stand.

Thursday July 16 marked the Chicago Bandits Food Drive event. Many fans brought canned food and non-perishable food items to be donated to the food pantry at Centro de Información in downtown Elgin, while ballpark collection boxes also netted $22.00 in donations for the emergency food pantry.

Friday July 17 the Chicago Bandits hosted honored guest Donald Hooton Jr. of The Taylor Hooton Foundation. The rain tried, but failed to wash out the awareness night which warned against the dangers of steroid drug abuse. The Chicago Bandits will be donating the proceeds from the night’s 50/50 raffle and Chuck-A-Ball contest directly to the Taylor Hooton Foundation.

On Sunday July 18, Judson played host to the first ever Chicago Bandits Blood Drive with the American Red Cross. The response to donate was overwhelming and the Red Cross’s mobile unit was not able to handle the onslaught of donation requests. The Red Cross on-site staff worked long after the game was over and tallied 24 blood donations. A large number of would-be donors were turned away due to the high volume and the Chicago Bandits would like to personally thank all who contributed or attempted to contribute their support. Although the Bandits were able to help, the need for blood donations is still great. Please visit www.givebloodgivelife.org to find out about other drives in the area.

If you missed out on the opportunity to help worthy causes, there will be more philanthropic activities at the next Bandits home stand August 5 thru August 9. The Chicago Bandits are teaming up with the American Cancer Society to raise donations and awareness for skin cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and Locks for Love. Come out to the ballpark and look to contribute through our collection boxes, buying a Chicago Bandits Play for a Cure T-Shirt, or pledge your support by purchasing a donor recognition nametag ribbon which will be posted on the Chicago Bandits dug out. For tickets call 877-7BANDIT or visit www.chicagobandits.com and click the “Ticket” tab.

Bandits take aim at service, fun

Sometimes, it’s not just about the game of softball. That will definitely be the case during the next homestead, as the Bandits focus on service at the ballpark. The Bandits front office has been hard at work planning community service events which will be held at upcoming home games. In most cases, if you participate in the service event you will receive a ticket discount or free stuff.

We are so excited about the support we received for our Breast Cancer Research Charity Exhibition Game on July 5, we know we can count on Bandits fans to make our next service days a success!

July 15^th we will host a toy drive for the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. The legendary Chicago Bears running back established the Foundation with his wife Connie to help abused, neglected, and underprivileged children in the state of Illinois. The toys collected at the July 15 game will be distributed to children during the 2009 Holiday Season. Fans who bring a new toy to donate to the Walter Payton Toy Drive will receive one free outfield admission with the purchase of one outfield admission (Buy One, Get One) at the gate. Toys must be new, unwrapped, and in their original packaging. Visit the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation for more information.

July 16^th will feature a can food drive. Every year, 10 percent of the population of Illinois goes hungry. The Bandits will attempt to lower that statistic locally as food collected will be donated to the emergency food pantry at Elgin’s Centro de Información. We will gladly be accepting all types of canned food, but Centro de Información is especially in need of Hispanic diet staples like uncooked white rice, canned or dried red and pinto beans, and Goya products. All fans who bring a donation for the food drive will receive 20 percent off an outfield ticket at the gate. A food donation wish list and more information on their services is available at the Centro de Información’s website.

July 19^th the Bandits will team up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive. The Red Cross donation trailer will be set up in the parking lot beginning at 1:00pm. The first 25 people who donate will receive a Dairy Queen ice cream cup, while all donors will get a coupon for $1.00 a Blizzard redeemably at the ballpark. Fastpitch Forever Magazine also is giving donors a free copy of their latest issue. Donate blood early and stay for the 3:05pm game. To register online and reserve a time, visit www.givebloodgivelife.org and click on the “Donate Blood Now” tab. Enter the Elgin zip code 60120 for information on the Chicago Bandits Blood Drive.

The July home series will not just focus on service, but fun as well. July 15^th is also Dog Day so bring your pooch out to the park for treat giveaways and doggie bag raffles. July 17^th will feature our post-game fireworks show, while also raising awareness for the steroid abuse awareness group, the Taylor Hooten Foundation. July 18^th will be a blast from the past as we throw it back to the 1940s and 1950s with women from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, World War II memorabilia and veterans, and some swing time music. The series will wrap up with Olympic Day July 19^th with appearances by Chicago 2016, 2008 Olympian Larry Langowski, and 2008 Paralympian Curtis Lease.

The best part of promotions is not the planning, but rather seeing the fans having a good time and enjoying being at the ballpark. Please help us giveback by participating in our community service promotions and stay for our fun themed events!

See you there! – Brooke Buzard, Promotions and Marketing Intern

P.S. Look out for our next community service events during the August 5-9 home series vs. the Akron Racers, as we raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Chicago Bandits announce All-American Girls night for July 18

CHICAGO BANDITS ANNOUNCE ALL AMERICAN GIRLS NIGHT FOR JULY 18 GAME

ELGIN, ILL- The Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch have announced that 4 former players of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League will attend All American Girls Night on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at the 7:05 pm game against the Venezuelan National Team at Judson University, in Elgin.

The women who played in the AAGPBL from 1943-1954 will be honored with a pregame ceremony. On this special night, the ballpark will be transformed to resemble the historic Wrigley Field of the AAGPBL time period. The Chicago Bandits be will offering discounts on classic ballpark food (popcorn & peanuts) and music from the 1940s and 1950s, including the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Etta James, Chuck Barry and Elvis Presley.

A replica 1948 Chicago Colleens uniform will be raffled off during the game, and a representative from the AAGPBL will be in attendance with a display of league memorabilia and a life-size cut out of a Chicago Colleen to allow children to pose as a Chicago Colleen player for the night.

The first 150 fans in attendance will receive a pack of Wrigley Gum, with an explanation of the significance the Wrigley family had on the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. American flags will also be provided to wave during the game.

For more information about the Chicago Bandits and ticket options, visit www.chicagobandits.com or call 877-722-6348.

About the All American Girls Professional Baseball League

Phillip K. Wrigley, heir to the Wrigley Chewing Gum Co. and the Chicago Cubs baseball team, formed the All American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1943. He came up with a plan to keep attendance high at ballparks while many big name professional baseball players were sent overseas during World War II. Centered in the Midwest, women from all over the country were drafted to all-female professional baseball teams and kept America’s Favorite Pastime alive while the men were at war. The league was illustrated in 1992’s “A League of Their Own” starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell. The All American Girls Professional Baseball League paved the way for many women’s professional sports leagues including the National Pro Fastpitch.

For more info contact Laura at chicagobanditspromos@gmail.com