On August 28, 2011 Tropical Storm Irene dumped torrential rain onto the Green Mountains, and Vermonters became victims of historic flooding. Among those who suffered the most devastating losses were the state’s farmers. As part of the nation-wide effort to help, Sam Lincoln and Buster Olney, brothers who grew up on a Randolph Center dairy farm, are raising funds to aid farmers in need through what is being called Going to Bat for Vermont Farmers.
The fundraising effort includes an online auction at www.BattingForVermont.com, a November 12th Baseball Roundtable being held at Vermont Technical College, and direct donations. All proceeds raised through Going to Bat for Vermont Farmers will be donated to the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was established by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and The Vermont Community Foundation in the aftermath of Irene and makes grants directly to farmers affected by the storm.
Some of the best minds in baseball will be at the November 12th Roundtable event. Theo Epstein, General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, will join Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman and Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington ‘ as well as longtime baseball reporter Peter Gammons, a descendant of Ethan Allen ‘ for a discussion that includes a question-and-answer session with the audience about their teams, their sport, and offseason plans.
There will be limited seating, in three different tiers: VIP Seating, which includes access to a cocktail hour with Epstein, Cashman, Huntington, Gammons and Olney; Premier Seating; and General Admission. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 12th online at www.BattingForVermont.com.
The online auction includes memorabilia donated by players, teams, and other celebrities:
· Autographed jerseys and baseballs, including those of Albert Pujols, Stephen Strasburg, Jose Bautista, and Hall of Famers.
· A round of golf with ESPN’s John Kruk.
· A behind-the-scenes tour at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
· Tickets to a Toby Keith concert, with a backstage meet-and-greet.
· A meet-and-greet with Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello, whose family owns a Vermont home.
· Ticket packages for several teams.
Select memorabilia will be on display at the November 12th Roundtable, and there will be a special presentation for some people instrumental in the flood aftermath.
Neal Huntington grew up on a New Hampshire farm. Peter Gammons is an analyst for MLB Network and NESN, and formerly of the Boston Globe and ESPN. Theo Epstein has been the Boston general manager for a decade, and in that time, the Red Sox have won two World Series. Brian Cashman has been general manager of the Yankees for the last 14 seasons, and in that time, the Yankees have won four World Series.
The Vermont Community Foundation is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. It was started in 1986 with a mission to grow philanthropy in Vermont and ensure that Vermont nonprofits have the resources they need to be effective. Since then, the Foundation has grown to include more than 600 funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations for a broad range of charitable purposes. The Community Foundation awards approximately $10 million dollars a year in grants, thanks to the donors who work under its umbrella. Additionally, the Foundation offers planned giving, nonprofit agency endowment management, and other services that help charitable partners achieve their missions. For more information, visit www.vermontcf.org.