Phillies 5K

On Saturday, March 28, Lisa Amoroso, Human Resources and her husband, along with four close friends, ran the Phillies 5K, a USATF certified 5K that benefited charity.

The race started at Citizens Bank Park with a loop through FDR Park and finished back at the ballpark. There was live music as well as an appearance by my favorite mascot, the Phillie Phanatic (except for Hatcher of course). Besides a finisher medal and a long sleeve tech tee and other goodies, all participants received a voucher good for two tickets to a Phillies On-Deck Series game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m. or Saturday, April 4 at 1:05 p.m. and another voucher also good for two tickets to a Phillies vs. Washington Nationals game on Friday, April 10 at 7:05 p.m., Saturday, April 11 at 7:05 p.m., or Sunday, April 12 at 1:35 p.m.

The race supported Phillies Charities, Inc. which serves as the fundraising arm of the Phillies organization, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware areas. Phillies Charities Inc. awards grants to a variety of charitable organizations each year. The Phillies family - from the players, coaches, and their wives to the alumni, Ballgirls, and front office staff - consider it a privilege and a pleasure to give back to the community year-round.

The entire Phillies organization teams up each year to host a variety of special events and charitable fundraisers including holiday dinners to feed the homeless, clothing drives, online auctions, and raffles. Additionally, charitable fundraising events such as Baseball 101 Clinic and Luncheon for Women and silent auctions help raise dollars to give back to the local community.

The 2012 annual Phillies Phestival raised over $858,000 for the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association. Since 1984, the Phillies have raised over $12 million to help strikeout ALS. Funds raised provide support for research and patient care for families in the Delaware Valley including at the ALS Association Clinical Services Center at Pennsylvania Hospital.

The Phillies Wives annually host a full lineup of charitable projects to help raise funds and awareness for local organizations. Their efforts include shoe and back-to-school supply drives to benefit youth groups and emergency shelters in Philadelphia. Through gift basket “Pro-Pack” auctions and signed Mystery Ball sales at Citizens Bank Park, they have raised over $150,000 for charities including the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, Camp No Worries, The Mary E. Walker House, and The Food Trust.

Additionally, over $165,000 has been raised for the Pennsylvania SPCA through a player-pet calendar and adoption events such as Save a Pet at the Park. Through a year-long campaign, Phillies Charities raises dollars to award grants to charitable organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware and near the Phillies spring training and minor league affiliates. In 2010, dozens of grants were awarded to local organizations including underprivileged and underserved children’s groups and educational and sports programs battling serious illnesses and disabilities.