29 Sep Our First “Meetup at the Ballpark” Was a Success!
Our first “Meetup at the Ballpark” was a success!
Thanks to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp front office staff for their awesome support for the Meetup. It was a stormy afternoon with the tarp on the field, but we found dry ground to hold our meeting.
Here’s a brief recap: Several partners were given recognition by Founder Dennis Bair.
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – our long-time partner and hometown team. Linda McNabb, Senior VP of Sales, Jax Jumbo Shrimp accepted the honor.
The Iowa Cubs – our long-time partner in Des Moines, IA. Alex Cohen, Cubs Radio Broadcaster accepted the honor.
Zelen Risk Insurance –local business partner. Vicky Zelen, owner, accepted the honor.
Ponte Vedra High School – the founding High School for the club program known as The MCP Club. Coach Tom Stanton accepted the honor.
We are excited to announce that The MCP Club program is expanding to five additional high schools in St. Johns and Duval counties. Students and teacher sponsors are in the process of forming clubs that display our banner featuring profiles of area missing children. The MCP Club model provides leadership opportunity, meaningful volunteer hours, top of the resume community experience, and a feeling of accomplishment and pride.
It was awesome to have so many students turn out for the meet up, particularly since the clubs just began forming this month for the new school year.
Ponte Vedra High School
Creekside High School
Fletcher High School
Providence High School
Mandarin High School
Nease High School
(And our newest addition – Beachside High School!)
We are proud of each of these students and look forward to their success. By the end of the meeting, the skies cleared and it was time for Angie Campbell to perform the Ceremonial First Pitch representing families of missing children. Angie is the aunt of missing Jacksonville boy Mark Degner, the Publisher of the Jacksonville Daily Record and a member of our Board of Directors. The game was then underway and attendees enjoyed a beautiful evening of baseball. We look to host another Meet up at the Ballpark with the Jumbo Shrimp as well as with other MiLB partners as the 2023 season opens beginning in April.
A special thank you to the crew at Kennetic Productions. They were there to film us for a promotional video, and they interviewed several of our club members. Their crew was very professional, and we look forward to seeing the finished product soon!